More than three decades after one of the most chilling crimes in Texas history, investigators have identified the man responsible for the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders. On Friday, police confirmed that Robert Eugene Brashers has been definitively linked through DNA evidence to the brutal killing of four teenage girls inside an “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” store.

The breakthrough brings long-awaited answers in a case that has haunted Austin for 33 years.

Who was Robert Eugene Brashers?

Brashers, who died by suicide in 1999 during a police standoff at a Missouri motel, was already suspected of being a violent predator. At the time of his death, he had been hiding with his wife, daughter, and two stepdaughters, all of whom he released before fatally shooting himself.

Subsequent DNA testing connected Brashers to a string of other violent crimes, including multiple rapes and murders in Missouri and South Carolina, and a rape in Tennessee. Authorities have long believed he was a serial offender who evaded justice until his death.

The yogurt shop murders

On December 6, 1991, four teenage girls were killed in what became one of the most infamous crimes in Texas. Victims Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer Harbison, 17, and Sarah Harbison, 15, were bound, gagged, and shot execution-style inside the yogurt shop where Thomas and Jennifer worked. The store was then set on fire in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.

The brutality of the crime shocked Austin and became known nationwide as the “Yogurt Shop Murders.”

Wrongful convictions and overturned cases

In the years that followed, investigators charged Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott, who were teenagers at the time of the crime. Both were convicted in 2001 and 2002, with Springsteen sentenced to death and Scott given life in prison.

But both convictions were later overturned on appeal after courts ruled their confessions had been coerced and, crucially, because no DNA evidence ever tied them to the murders. Both men were released, and the case remained unsolved for years.

Friday’s DNA findings linking Brashers may now close that painful chapter, clearing the names of those wrongfully accused.

Case remains open

Despite the identification of Brashers, the Austin Police Department says the yogurt shop murders investigation is still considered open. Detectives are working to determine whether Brashers acted alone or if others were involved.

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“Our team never gave up working this case,” Austin police said in a statement, adding that they will hold a press conference on Monday to share more details about the DNA breakthrough.

Renewed attention

The case has recently regained national attention following the release of HBO’s docuseries “The Yogurt Shop Murders”, which revisits the tragedy, the botched investigation, and the community’s decades-long wait for justice.

For the families of Amy, Eliza, Jennifer, and Sarah, the new DNA evidence may finally provide long-awaited clarity — though the painful scars of 1991 remain.

A startling new discovery from China is shaking the foundations of what we thought we knew about human origins. Scientists analyzing a skull believed to be around one million years old claim it suggests Homo sapiens – our own species – may have begun to emerge at least 500,000 years earlier than established timelines. If proven correct, this finding would fundamentally rewrite human history.

The fossil, known as Yunxian 2, was unearthed in Hubei Province decades ago but had long been categorized as belonging to Homo erectus, an early human ancestor. However, advanced computer modeling and 3D reconstructions have revealed new insights. Researchers now believe the skull belongs to Homo longi, a sister species on the same evolutionary level as Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.

“Unbelievable” results

The research, published in the prestigious journal Science, was conducted by a team from Fudan University and the UK’s Natural History Museum. Professor Xijun Ni, who co-led the study, admitted that the team was initially skeptical.

“From the very beginning, when we got the result, we thought it was unbelievable. How could that be so deep into the past?” he said. “But we tested it again and again, and we are now confident about the result. We’re actually very excited.”

Professor Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum added that the find “totally changes our understanding of human evolution.” He suggested that fossils of million-year-old Homo sapiens may already exist, waiting to be identified.

A longer coexistence of human species

If Yunxian 2 is indeed evidence of advanced human development a million years ago, it implies that Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Homo longi co-existed for as long as 800,000 years. This is far longer than previously thought, allowing for more interaction, cultural exchange, and even interbreeding.

This theory also helps resolve what scientists have called the “muddle in the middle” – a confusing gap where dozens of fossils dated between 800,000 and 100,000 years ago did not fit neatly into the human family tree. By pushing back the timeline, these fossils may now be grouped as sub-branches of the “big three” human species or their direct ancestors.

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Skepticism remains

Not all experts are fully convinced. Dr. Aylwyn Scally, an evolutionary geneticist at Cambridge University, warned that dating methods are notoriously difficult and that the findings, while plausible, remain uncertain.

“One has to be particularly tentative about the timing estimates,” Scally explained. “Even with the largest amount of genetic data, it is very difficult to place a time when these populations may have co-existed to within 100,000 years or more.”

A broader origin story

Traditionally, the earliest known fossils of Homo sapiens come from Africa, dating back around 300,000 years. But this Chinese discovery suggests Asia may have played a larger role in our evolutionary story than once believed. Still, scientists emphasize the need for more data before rewriting textbooks.

A new branch of the tree

Professor Ni compared human evolution to a tree with multiple branches: “There were three major branches – Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Homo longi. They may have interbred, and they coexisted for almost a million years. This is an unbelievable result.”

By using modern scanning techniques, his team restored Yunxian 2 and two other damaged skulls to their original shape, allowing for the groundbreaking reclassification.

For now, Yunxian 2 is being hailed as one of the most important fossil discoveries in decades. Whether it truly represents an earlier emergence of our species or a closely related branch of humanity, the debate it sparks is certain to reshape the future of human evolutionary research.

The Christian community was left in deep sorrow on September 25 when Pastor Voddie Baucham Jr, president of Founders Ministries, passed away at the age of 56 after what was described as a sudden “medical emergency.” The announcement was shared through the official social media handles of Founders Ministries, sparking an outpouring of grief and heartfelt tributes from followers, pastors, and admirers across the globe.

In their statement, Founders Ministries expressed the loss with spiritual comfort: “We are saddened to inform friends that our dear brother, Voddie Baucham, Jr., has left the land of the dying and entered the land of the living. Earlier today, after suffering an emergency medical incident, he entered into his rest and the immediate presence of the Savior whom he loved, trusted, and served since he was converted as a college student.”

While official details remain unclear, some social media users speculated that Baucham may have suffered a heart attack. However, no formal confirmation has been made regarding the exact cause of death. He leaves behind his wife Bridget Baucham, and their children Micah, Alexander, and Jasmine, as well as grandchildren who adored him.

Tributes from across the Christian world

The news of Baucham’s passing brought a flood of tributes, highlighting his influence as a preacher, teacher, and leader in the reformed theological community.

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One follower shared: “My heart is saddened, but Voddie Baucham has gone Home to be with the Lord. I rejoice that he ran his race to the glory of God & taught us all so much Biblical truth. Well done Voddie. Well done.”

Reformist pastor Mark Ralston wrote on X: “Devastating news of the passing of a true warrior of the faith Voddie Baucham. He was one of the most powerful preachers I’ve ever sat under. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and kids. What a loss.”

Others reflected on his powerful sermons and theological contributions, with one user commenting: “If it was not for men like him I would be no kind of Christian today.”

A lasting influence

Born in 1969, Voddie Baucham rose to prominence as a pastor, author, and speaker known for his unapologetic preaching and commitment to biblical truth. His writings, sermons, and lectures made him a central voice in evangelical and reformed Christian circles. Beyond his leadership at Founders Ministries, Baucham also inspired thousands through conferences and global speaking engagements, where he emphasized faith, family, and uncompromising devotion to scripture.

His sudden passing leaves a void in the church community that many describe as “impossible to fill.” Yet his teachings and writings will continue to guide future generations of believers.

As the Baucham family grieves, followers around the world continue to share stories of how his ministry touched their lives, offering prayers for his wife, children, and grandchildren in their time of mourning.