Greenville, South Carolina, September 30, 2025
News Summary
Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as a suspected serial rapist and killer connected to several murders across the United States, including a cold case in Greenville. DNA evidence has linked him to the infamous 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders, where four teenage girls tragically lost their lives. Investigators are connecting the dots on a string of violent crimes for which Brashers may be responsible, raising awareness and hope for justice for the families affected.
Greenville, South Carolina – Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as a suspected serial rapist and killer linked to several murders across the United States, including a long-unsolved case in Greenville. Investigators in Austin, Texas, announced on Friday that DNA evidence has firmly pointed to Brashers as the suspect in the notorious 1991 “Yogurt Shop Murders,” involving the tragic deaths of four teenage girls.
The victims of the Yogurt Shop Murders—Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), and sisters Jennifer (17) and Sarah Harbison (15)—were found bound, gagged, and shot within an “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” shop that was later set ablaze. The case received renewed attention following an HBO documentary released in August, which sparked public interest.
Investigators in Greenville are already familiar with Brashers due to a DNA match from 2018, linking him to the cold case murder of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki. Zitricki, a 28-year-old woman, was found murdered in her bathtub after being attacked in her apartment in April 1990. Autopsy reports indicated that Zitricki suffered from strangulation, blunt force injuries, and sexual assault. At the time of her murder, Brashers was living less than a mile away, but no evidence suggests they were acquainted.
This is not Brashers’ first brush with the law; he had been released from prison in 1989 after serving a sentence for beating and shooting a woman in Florida. His violent history continued, as DNA evidence has also connected him to the 1998 murders of Sherri Sherer (37) and her 12-year-old daughter Megan in Portageville, Missouri. On the same day as the Sherers’ killings, Brashers allegedly attempted to murder a woman in Dyersburg, Tennessee, who fortunately survived despite being shot through her door. Furthermore, Brashers is linked to the 1997 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Memphis, Tennessee.
Brashers’ criminal activities came to a head during a police standoff in 1999, during which he committed suicide six days later. His violent past included a conviction for assault in Florida in 1986, resulting in a 12-year sentence, although he served only 2.5 years.
The investigation into Zitricki’s murder had grown cold over the years. In 2005, evidence was sent for testing to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s DNA lab, but it was not until 2017 that new DNA evidence revised her case’s status. In 2009, Zitricki’s case was featured on “America’s Most Wanted” in hopes of garnering new leads. In July 2018, the cold case was reignited when new DNA evidence connected Zitricki’s case with other unsolved violent crimes in Missouri and Tennessee, leading to familial DNA testing that eventually identified Brashers as the suspect.
Authorities exhumed Brashers’ body in September 2018 to conduct DNA tests, which confirmed his involvement in the murders and sexual assaults. As a result of these investigations, the families of Brashers’ victims expressed both gratitude for the relentless pursuit of justice and sorrow for the devastation caused by his actions.
Zitricki’s brother, Phillip, expressed appreciation for investigators’ years of dedication leading to the resolution of his sister’s case. Deborah Brashers-Claunch, Brashers’ daughter, also reflected on her father’s hidden life of violence, extending condolences to the families affected by her father’s actions. Investigators noted that Zitricki’s case had become a benchmark for potentially resolving many other unresolved homicides linked to Brashers.
Key Facts
- Suspected Violent Crimes: Robert Eugene Brashers identified in multiple murders and assaults.
- Yogurt Shop Murders: Involves four teenage victims found in 1991.
- Cold Case Revived: DNA evidence linked Brashers to the 2018 cold case of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki.
- Other Cases: Includes murders of Sherri and Megan Sherer in Missouri; 1997 Memphis rape.
- Death of Brashers: Committed suicide in 1999 after a police standoff.
FAQ
Who is Robert Eugene Brashers?
Robert Eugene Brashers is a suspected serial rapist and killer connected to multiple murders across the United States, including a long-unsolved case in Greenville, South Carolina.
What are the Yogurt Shop Murders?
The Yogurt Shop Murders involved four teenage girls: Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), and sisters Jennifer (17) and Sarah Harbison (15), who were found bound, gagged, and shot inside an “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” shop that had been set on fire.
What connection does Brashers have to the cold case of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki?
Brashers is already well-known to investigators in Greenville due to a 2018 DNA match linking him to the cold case murder of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki. Zitricki, 28, was attacked in her apartment while sleeping; her body was discovered in her bathtub two days later.
What other crimes is Brashers connected to?
DNA evidence also links Brashers to the 1998 murders of Sherri Sherer (37) and her 12-year-old daughter Megan in Portageville, Missouri, as well as the 1997 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Memphis, Tennessee.
What happened to Brashers?
Brashers committed suicide during a police standoff in 1999, leading to his death six days later.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Suspected Serial Rapist and Killer | Robert Eugene Brashers linked to multiple murders across several states. |
| Identified via DNA Evidence | Investigators used DNA to connect Brashers to the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders. |
| Victims | Four teenage girls found in a yogurt shop; Zitricki’s cold case also linked. |
| Extensive Criminal History | Brashers had a violent past including a conviction and numerous assaults. |
| Death | Brashers died by suicide in 1999 after a police standoff. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
DNA Links Robert Brashers to 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin
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Sheriff Chuck Wright Resigns Amid Investigations
Multiple Stabbing Incidents Under Investigation in Greenville
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Investigation Underway for Stabbing Incident in Greenville
Search Efforts Intensify for Missing Woman in Greenville County
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: DNA ties Greenville murder suspect to Yogurt Shop slayings
- Fox Carolina: No charges forthcoming against suspected serial rapist in Greenville case
- WYFF 4: Violent serial rapist and murderer named as suspect in Greenville woman’s death
- Greenville Online: Daughter of serial killer tied to Greenville speaks out
- Texas Monthly: The Hyde Park Rapist
- Wikipedia: Serial killer
- Google Search: Robert Eugene Brashers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Serial killer
- Google Scholar: Yogurt Shop Murders
- Google News: Greenville murder
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
