Serial Killer and Rapist Linked to Multiple Murders

Greenville, South Carolina, October 1, 2025

News Summary

Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as a suspected serial rapist and killer, linked to several murders across multiple states, including the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders. DNA evidence confirms his connection to the unsolved murder of Genevieve Zitricki in Greenville, South Carolina. Multiple violent crimes, including rape and murder, have been attributed to Brashers. His case emphasizes the importance of DNA technology in solving cold cases and delivering justice for victims and their families.

Greenville, South Carolina – Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as a suspected serial rapist and killer, linked to multiple murders across several states, including the notorious 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin, Texas.

DNA evidence has confirmed Brashers’ connection to the long-unsolved 1990 murder of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki in Greenville. Zitricki was attacked in her apartment while she slept, and her body was discovered in her bathtub two days after her murder, exhibiting signs of strangulation, blunt force injuries, and sexual assault.

The investigation into Brashers has also implicated him in other violent crimes. This includes his involvement in the Yogurt Shop Murders, where four teenage girls—Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer Harbison, 17, and Sarah Harbison, 15—were found bound, gagged, and shot in the shop, which was subsequently set on fire. The case gained renewed attention after the release of an HBO documentary in August, highlighting the need for justice for the victims and their families.

Brashers lived less than a mile from Zitricki at the time of her murder and had recently been released from prison after serving time for a violent crime in Florida. Moreover, he was implicated in the March 1998 murders of Sherri Sherer and her 12-year-old daughter Megan in Portageville, Missouri. On the same day, Brashers attempted to kill another woman in Dyersburg, Tennessee, who managed to survive the attack.

In addition to these cases, Brashers’ DNA has also been linked to the rape of a 14-year-old girl in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1997. Despite having died during a police standoff in 1999, Brashers’ remains were exhumed in 2018 as part of an advanced DNA testing effort to solve these lingering cases.

Authorities have emphasized Brashers’ criminal past, which includes a conviction for attempted murder in 1986. The investigation has involved multiple law enforcement agencies and benefited from advancements in DNA technology, particularly thanks to the Parabon genealogy lab.

Zitricki’s brother shared his gratitude towards the investigators for their relentless pursuit of justice after 28 years, calling attention to the importance of their work in solving such long-standing cases.

This series of connections highlights Robert Brashers as a key figure in a number of unresolved crimes, underscoring the role of modern forensic methods in providing closure to victim families and justice for the deceased.

Summary of Key Fatalities Associated with Robert Brashers

• Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki: Murdered in 1990, Greenville, South Carolina
• Yogurt Shop Murders: Four teenage girls in Austin, Texas, murdered in 1991
• Sherri Sherer: Murdered in 1998, Portageville, Missouri
• Megan Sherer: Murdered in 1998, Portageville, Missouri
• 14-year-old girl: Raped in 1997, Memphis, Tennessee

Background of Robert Brashers

• Convicted of attempted murder in 1986
• Released from prison prior to Zitricki’s murder in 1990
• Died in a police standoff in 1999; body exhumed in 2018 for DNA testing

Conclusion

The case of Robert Brashers highlights the critical role that DNA evidence plays in solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims and their families.

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Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Suspected Serial Rapist and Killer Linked to Greenville Case
DNA Links Robert Brashers to 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin

Additional Resources

• Fox Carolina: DNA Ties Greenville Murder Suspect to Yogurt Shop Slayings
• WITN: No Charges Forthcoming Against Suspected Serial Rapist in Greenville Case
• WYFF4: Violent Serial Rapist and Murderer Named as Suspect in Greenville Woman’s Death
• Greenville Online: Daughter of Serial Killer Tied to Greenville
• Texas Monthly: The Hyde Park Rapist
• Wikipedia: Serial Killers in the United States
• Google Search: Robert Brashers
• Google Scholar: DNA Evidence in Crime
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Forensic Science
• Google News: Yogurt Shop Murders

Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE

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