Major Break in 1991 ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt’ Murders | Crime Alert 6AM 11.18.2025

Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Major Break in 1991 ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt’ Murders | Crime Alert 6AM 11.18.2025
Date: November 18, 2025

---

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a significant update on the infamous 1991 “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” murders in Austin, Texas—a case that spanned more than three decades. Nancy Grace and Crime Stories reporter John Laemmle cover the latest breakthrough involving the identification of a new suspect using advanced DNA technology, share reactions from law enforcement and victim families, and recap other recent headline-grabbing criminal cases.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Breakthrough in the ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt’ Murders Case

[00:01]

• Crime Recap:

  • In 1991, four teenage girls were found murdered at an Austin yogurt shop: they were bound, shot, and the building was set ablaze.

• New Suspect Identified:

  • Modern DNA testing has linked the crime scene to Robert Eugene Brashers, who died in 1999.
  • Brashers was previously connected to violent crimes in multiple states.
  • The match was achieved by re-examining case samples with updated forensic technology.

• Case Implications:

  • Earlier, two men had been charged but later cleared.
  • The case technically remains open as police review more evidence and look for possible links to other crimes.
  • Authorities describe the DNA advance as a "significant breakthrough."

• Family & Community Impact:

  • While the suspect can’t be prosecuted due to his death, families now have long-awaited answers.
  • Official statements and more details are expected soon.

  Memorable Moment:

  "For the victims families, the news is bittersweet. There will be no prosecution because the suspect is deceased, but the identification brings long sought answers."
  — John Laemmle [00:58]

---

2. Recap of Other Major Crime Stories

[05:43]

a) Illinois: Law Enforcement Conviction

• Case Summary:

  • Former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson convicted of second-degree murder after fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a woman who had called 911 for help.
  • Jury rejected a first-degree charge; sentencing could be up to 20 years.
  • Massey was shot in her own home; bodycam evidence played a key role.

• Legal Aftermath:

  • The case prompted changes in Illinois law regarding hiring and background checks for law enforcement.

  Notable Quote:

  "The jury rejected a first degree murder charge, instead finding him guilty of the lesser count...Body camera footage showed Massey holding a pot of hot water just moments before she was shot."
  — John Laemmle [06:09]

b) Nebraska: Priest’s Murder

• Case Summary:
  • Kier Williams pleaded guilty to murdering Rev. Stephen Gutzel in a small town.
  • Williams had prior felony convictions; will face life in prison without parole.
  • Incident shook the tight-knit Fort Calhoun community.

c) Ohio: Child Stabbing Sentencing

• Case Summary:

  • Bianca Ellis sentenced to life without parole for stabbing 3-year-old Julian Wood outside a grocery store.
  • Ellis had been found guilty of aggravated murder despite an insanity defense.
  • Described by prosecutors as one of the most disturbing acts of violence encountered.

  Memorable Moment:

  "The boy died at the hospital and his mother was treated for a shoulder wound...Cuyahoga county prosecutors describe the crime as one of the most disturbing acts of violence they have encountered."
  — John Laemmle [08:11]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Yogurt Shop Case Breakthrough:

  “Authorities say DNA evidence now links the killings to Robert Eugene Brashers, a man who died in 1999 and who investigators believe was responsible for other violent crimes in several states.”
  — John Laemmle [00:18]

• On the Bittersweet Resolution for Families:

  “For the victims families, the news is bittersweet. There will be no prosecution because the suspect is deceased, but the identification brings long sought answers.”
  — John Laemmle [00:58]

• On Sonya Massey Case Prompting Reform:

  “The case prompted changes in Illinois law requiring greater transparency in the hiring and background checks of law enforcement officers.”
  — John Laemmle [07:11]

• On Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Reaction:

  “Cuyahoga county prosecutors describe the crime as one of the most disturbing acts of violence they have encountered, and the judge imposed the maximum penalty allowed by law.”
  — John Laemmle [08:16]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 – John Laemmle reports on the Yogurt Shop murders DNA breakthrough
• 01:30 – Nancy Grace provides resource plug and transitions
• 05:43 – John Laemmle recaps three high-profile violent crime cases from Illinois, Nebraska, and Ohio
• 08:48 – Nancy Grace closes with a call to action and summary

---

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Nancy Grace’s signature authoritative and urgent voice, emphasizing the ongoing quest for justice and closure for victims and their families. John Laemmle reports in a factual, concise manner, providing essential information and context with sensitivity to victims and affected communities.

---

Summary for Non-Listeners:
This episode breaks major news in the infamous 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders, revealing that advanced DNA testing has finally identified a deceased serial offender as the perpetrator, providing closure for victims’ families but also underscoring the challenges of posthumous justice. Additional segments update listeners on recent criminal convictions and sentencing in cases involving law enforcement misconduct, the murder of a priest, and a tragic child homicide—each underscored by the legal and societal impacts arising from these violent acts.

Transcript

[John Laemmle]

Crime Alert. I'm John Laemmle. We begin with a major breakthrough in a case that has haunted Austin, Texas for more than three decades. Austin police say DNA testing has identified a new suspect in the 1991 killings of four teenage girls at the I can't believe it's yogurt shop, a case that shocked the city and remained unsolved for years. Authorities say DNA evidence now links the killings to Robert Eugene Brashers, a man who died in 1999 and who investigators believe was responsible for other violent crimes in several states. Austin police described the development as a significant breakthrough. In 1994, four teens were found bound, shot and the building set on fire after the attack. Two men were once charged and later cleared, and the case remained open as new forensic technology evolved. The latest match came after samples from the scene were re examined using modern DNA method, producing a profile that investigators match to Brasher's. Police say the case remains open as they continue to review evidence and explore possible connections to crimes elsewhere. For the victims families, the news is bittersweet. There will be no prosecution because the suspect is deceased, but the identification brings long sought answers. Officials plan to release more details in the days to come.

[Nancy Grace]

Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast Crime Stories. More crime and justice news after this.

[Commercial Announcer]

Shh. You won't believe what my new friend just told me about dinosaurs. Is your child having conversations you never imagined? Are they learning without realizing it? It's not a tablet. It's not a toy. It's Meco Mini plus, the AI powered companion that turns curiosity into emotional, endless learning. Hear the future of playtime. Meet the extraordinary Miko Mini plus, only at Costco. It starts like any other night. The glass of red, the cozy blanket. Then the drop. The stain's so dark, so stubborn, it might as well have been a crime scene. But this isn't your average couch. This is Anna Bay. Fully washable, unspeakably comfortable and ready for whatever your life, your kids or your ex throws at it. And here's the kicker. Starting at just 699, you can make sure your sofa isn't part of the problem. Fully washable, stain resistant, and built to hide even the darkest defenses. Right now, get up to 60% off in black Friday savings because no one should have to live with with a stain that won't quit. Annabe the only mystery you won't be losing sleep over. Shop washablesofas.com today.

[Nancy Grace]

That's washablesofas.com Grand Canyon University, an affordable, private Christian university based in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the largest universities in the country. Praised for its culture of community and impact, GCU integrates the free market system, a welcoming Christian worldview and free and open discourse into 369 academic programs with over 300 of them online. Join a nationwide community of learners redefining what online education looks like through academically rigorous, industry driven programs that can spark bold ideas and prepare you for a future that matters. In addition to federal grants and aid, GCU's online students receive nearly $161 million in institutional scholarships in 2024 alone. Find your purpose at Grand Canyon University Private, Christian affordable. Visit gcu.edu myoffer to see the scholarships for which you could qualify when someone's told they have diabetes, it can feel like their life has changed completely. Decisions about what to eat, what activities to do and what's going to happen in the future can feel like a mystery with no solution. But with Dexcom G7, the number one most accurate CGM system, you can quickly and easily see where your glucose is, where it's been and where it's headed in real time without finger sticks. This allows you to make confident decisions about food, activities and even medications so you can keep your glucose levels in range and even lower your A1C, which helps protect your long term health. Dexcom G7 is the most covered CGM brand at pharmacy and is the most recommended CGM brand by both patients and doctors. Dexcom G7 gives you the knowledge to better control diabetes today for healthier tomorrows. Start your healthier [e-mail] knowledge and Dexcom data on file Finger sticks required if symptoms or expectations don't match readings for full prescribing information on risks, benefits and a list of compatible smart devices, visit dexcom.com. Now with the latest crime and justice breaking news Crime Online's John Laemmle In.

[John Laemmle]

Illinois, a jury has convicted former Sangamon County Sheriff Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson of 2nd degree murder in the death of Sonya Massie, a Springfield woman who called 911 to report a possible prowler. Prosecutors said Grayson fired three shots, killing Massey inside her own home after she pleaded for help. The jury rejected a first degree murder charge, instead finding him guilty of the lesser count, which carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Body camera footage showed Massey holding a pot of hot water just moments before she was shot. The defense argued that Grayson believed he was in danger. But jurors concluded the use of deadly force was unjustified. The case prompted changes in Illinois law requiring greater transparency in the hiring and background checks of law enforcement officers. Sentencing is set for early next year, and legal experts expect a prison term rather than probation. In Nebraska, a man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a parish priest in a small town north of Omaha. Kier Williams admitted to killing Reverend Stephen Gutzel inside the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun last December. Authorities say the priest called 911 to report an intruder armed with a knife. Deputies arrived within minutes and found Gutzel fatally wounded near his kitchen. Investigators later recovered a broken knife with a serrated blade at the scene. Williams, who had prior felony convictions and was working at a meatpacking plant in Iowa, faces life in prison without parole when he is sentenced later this month, prosecutors decided not to pursue the death penalty. The Murder Deeply affected Fort Calhoun's small community of just over 1,000 residents who had already been shaken by another unsolved killing earlier that year. In northeast Ohio, a Cleveland woman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal stabbing of a 3 year old boy outside a grocery store. 34 year old Bianca Ellis was convicted in October of aggravated murder and several related charges in the death of Julian Wood. Prosecutors say Ellis stole two knives from a nearby thrift store store, then followed Julian and his mother, Margot Wood, into the parking lot of a Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmsted. There she attacked without warning, stabbing the child twice as his mother tried to shield him. The boy died at the hospital and his mother was treated for a shoulder wound. Defense attorneys had entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, but jurors rejected that argument. Cuyahoga county prosecutors describe the crime as one of the most disturbing acts of violence they have encountered, and the judge imposed the maximum penalty allowed by law.

[Nancy Grace]

Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace.

[Commercial Announcer]

Shh. You won't believe what my new friend just told me about dinosaurs. Is your child having conversations you never imagined? Are they learning without realizing it? It's not a tablet. It's not a toy. It's Meco Mini plus, the AI powered companion that turns curiosity into endless learning. Hear the future of playtime. Meet the extraordinary Meco Mini plus, only.

[Nancy Grace]

At Costco with diabetes everyday decisions feel like a mystery without a solution. But with Dexcom G7, the most accurate CGM system, you can quickly and easily see your glucose in real time on your phone, helping you make confident decisions that keep your glucose levels in range and lower your A1C, which can help protect your long term health. Dexcom G7 gives you the knowledge to better control diabetes today for healthier tomorrows. Start your healthier [e-mail] knowledge dexcom data on file for full prescribing information on risks, benefits and compatible smart devices, visit Dexcom.com Lets take a minute to unpack.

[Commercial Announcer]

The myths behind GLP1 drugs GLP1 is a long term solution for weight loss True GLP1 can potentially be a long term solution for weight loss. If you want to be on a drug that changes your body's natural instincts, GLP1 can fix your metabolism. False GLP1s fix hunger and this leads to weight loss. But the GLP1s may actually slow down your metabolic rate as your body adjusts to consuming fewer calories. GLP1 leads to a loss of muscle mass True GLP1 can lead to a loss of muscle mass due to losing weight so rapidly that your body is pulling from both fat and muscle to make up for the energy gap from consuming so few calories. If you're looking for a natural GLP1 therapy without the needles, consider Metabolism Ignite. Metabolism Ignite is powered by plants and can help boost your natural GLP1, helping you burn fat instead of muscle. Clinically proven to help you lose £9 in 90 days, visit veracityselfcare.com and receive 15% off your first purchase with promo code iHeart. Ever wonder why so many people regain weight after stopping a GLP1? Up to 40% of the weight lost can come from lean muscle. This weakens the body, slows metabolism and makes it easier to put the pounds back on, creating a cycle of dependency. Prolon's five day Fasting Mimicking Diet offers a drug free way to maintain results and support long term metabolic health in just five days. It activates fasting pathways to burn fat, protect muscle and rejuvenate cells, all while letting you enjoy real food. Get 25% off plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe at prolonlife.com iheart that's prolonlife.com iheart this is an iheart pod.