Cold Case Solved by HBO Doc: Yogurt Shop Murders Identified

The 1991 rapes and murders of four girls at an Austin yogurt shop, a case that remained unsolved for 35 years, has finally been resolved. Robert Eugene Brashers, a serial killer who died by suicide in 1999, was identified as the culprit through DNA evidence. This breakthrough came shortly after a compelling HBO documentary about the case concluded its run in 2025, prompting police to re-examine the evidence.

Previously, four teenage boys were accused, with Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott being tried and convicted. They maintained their innocence and were later declared innocent, having served ten years in prison before their exoneration. The documentary's director, Margaret Brown, had to quickly reshoot a finale episode to incorporate these significant developments, highlighting the rare instance of a cold case being solved post-documentary.

Brown, an Austin resident, felt a personal connection to the story due to her age and familiarity with people connected to the case. She navigated the emotional challenges of true crime filmmaking, working closely with investigators and families. The resolution brought closure to the families and justice for the wrongly accused.