Digest

This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the chilling case of the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, a crime that has haunted the community for over 30 years. The episode begins with an introduction to the case, highlighting the importance of having an "if I go missing" folder and the tragic events of December 6, 1991, when four teenage girls were brutally murdered while working at the I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop. The episode then details the investigation, which was plagued by challenges, including a lack of experience in arson cases, improper crime scene protocol, and numerous false confessions. The episode explores the arrest of Maurice Pierce, a 16-year-old who implicated his friend, Forest Wellburn, in the murders, but the lead was ultimately dismissed due to a lack of evidence. The investigation went cold for nearly eight years until Officer Hector Polanco took over the case and focused on four boys previously implicated. He re-interrogated them, eventually getting Michael Scott to confess to being present at the crime scene and shooting one of the girls. Robert Springsteen also confessed to being involved in the murders. However, their convictions were later overturned due to their inability to confront their accusers. The episode then discusses the DNA evidence that revealed an unknown male sample, casting doubt on the guilt of Michael and Robert and suggesting the involvement of another individual. The prosecution's "fifth man" theory, despite the lack of evidence supporting it, ultimately led to the dismissal of all charges against Michael and Robert. The case remains unsolved, with the identity of the two men seen in the yogurt shop that night still unknown. The episode concludes with a call for justice for the victims and a plea to identify the two men seen in the booth, as they are likely key to solving the case.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders: A Case That Haunts

Ashley Flowers introduces the episode as a throwback to the infamous Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, a case that has haunted the community for over 30 years. She also mentions the importance of having an "if I go missing" folder, highlighting a recent case where a girl was saved thanks to her sister's use of "Find My iPhone."

00:01:58

The Case Selection and Introduction

Ashley explains that this episode's case was chosen by Crime Junkie's Patreon supporters, who have a knack for picking compelling cases. She introduces the case of the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, which occurred on December 6, 1991.

00:02:39

The Victims and the Night of the Murders

The episode details the events of the night of the murders, focusing on the four victims: Eliza Thomas, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ayers. The girls were working at the I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop when two suspicious men entered the store.

00:10:30

The Discovery of the Crime Scene and the Investigation Begins

An hour after the murders, a police officer on patrol noticed smoke coming from the yogurt shop. Firefighters were dispatched, and they discovered the bodies of the four girls, badly burned and bound. The scene was horrific, and it quickly became clear that this was a homicide investigation. The episode introduces Detective John Jones, who was on duty the night of the murders. He was initially skeptical of the case's significance, but it quickly became one of the biggest crimes in Austin history. The investigation was hampered by a lack of experience in arson cases and a lack of proper crime scene protocol.

00:19:08

Early Leads and Challenges in the Investigation

The episode discusses the early challenges of the investigation, including the lack of experience in arson cases and the difficulty in identifying suspects. The police received numerous false confessions, and the investigation was further complicated by leaks to the media.

00:23:19

The Maurice Pierce Lead and the Suspect Profile

The episode details the arrest of Maurice Pierce, a 16-year-old found with a 22-caliber gun. He implicated his friend, Forest Wellburn, in the murders. However, the gun did not match the ballistics of the crime scene, and the lead was ultimately dismissed. The police developed a profile of the perpetrators, describing them as two white men in their late teens to mid-20s, one of whom was dominant and impulsive.

00:27:27

The Toll on Detective Jones and the Case's Stalemate

The episode highlights the immense toll the case took on Detective Jones, who experienced PTSD symptoms and struggled with the lack of progress. The case went cold for nearly eight years, with little to no new developments.

00:28:39

The Re-Investigation and the Confessions

In 1999, Officer Hector Polanco took over the case and focused on the four boys previously implicated. He re-interrogated them, eventually getting Michael Scott to confess to being present at the crime scene and shooting one of the girls. Robert Springsteen also confessed to being involved in the murders.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the names of the four girls who were murdered at the yogurt shop?

  The four victims were Eliza Thomas, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ayers.

• What was the main evidence that led to the arrest of Michael Scott and Robert Springsteen?

  The main evidence was their confessions, which they later recanted, claiming they were coerced by police.

• Why were the convictions of Michael Scott and Robert Springsteen overturned?

  Their convictions were overturned because they were not allowed to confront their accusers, a violation of their constitutional rights.

• What was the significance of the DNA evidence found at the crime scene?

  The DNA evidence revealed an unknown male sample that did not match Michael or Robert, casting doubt on their guilt and suggesting the involvement of another individual.

• Why is it important to find the two men seen in the yogurt shop that night?

  Identifying those men is crucial because they are likely key to solving the case. Their presence in the shop, their suspicious behavior, and their potential connection to the crime make them prime suspects.

Show Notes