The true story behind ABC’s ’20/20′ Austin yogurt shop murders episode
The case will probably be featured within the newest episode of ABC’s “20/20,” anchored by David Muir and Deborah Roberts, which investigates high-profile mysteries and true crime occasions.
In an unique interview, the daughter of the killer named within the yogurt shop murders, Robert Eugene Brashersgives her perspective alongside relations of all 4 victims. Their voices will probably be joined by these of legislation enforcement officers and genetic genealogist CeCe Moore, whose work was vital in linking Brashers to the crime.
The two-hour episode will air Friday, Feb. 27, from 8 pm to 10 pm CT on ABC, and will probably be obtainable to stream Saturday on Disney+ and Hulu.
The deaths of 17-year-old Eliza Thomas, 13-year-old Amy Ayers, 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison and her 15-year-old sister Sarah on the I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt shop in Austin remained unsolved for 34 years. Investigators preserved DNA, however early profiles have been too restricted and degraded to yield a match.
Advancements in ballistics evaluation and cutting-edge DNA testing, mixed with investigative genetic family tree, have been key to the breakthroughs, main investigators throughout the nation of their seek for the serial killer and rapist.
‘Crime I didn’t commit’: 4 men declared innocent in Austin yogurt shop murders
Robert Eugene Brashers was born March 13, 1958, in Newport News, Va. Little is documented about his childhood, although court docket data and investigators have described him as clever, manipulative and expert with instruments and weapons.
Brashers’ violent report started in 1985 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., the place he lured Michelle Wilkerson into his automotive beneath pleasant pretenses. When she tried to depart, he shot her within the head and neck.
Wilkerson survived and recognized him as her attacker. Brashers was convicted of tried first-degree homicide, aggravated battery and firearm fees, and was sentenced to 12 years in jail. He was launched on parole in 1989, after serving solely three years.
In the time after his launch, Brashers dedicated a slew of different crimes, along with the yogurt shop murders, later confirmed by DNA proof:
On Jan. 13, 1999, police tracked Brashers to a Super 8 motel in Kennett, Mo., the place he was hiding together with his spouse, daughter and two stepdaughters. After a tense standoff, he launched his household earlier than taking pictures himself within the head. He died six days afterward Jan. 19. Investigators have stated he used the identical gun that he used within the yogurt shop killings.
At the time of his dying, Brashers was not publicly recognized as a serial killer, however advances in forensic family tree modified that. In 2018, investigators exhumed his stays and matched his DNA to a number of unsolved instances.
