The Murder of Genevieve Zitricki, the Yogurt Shop Murders, and Serial Killer Robert Eugene Brashers

Podcast: Murder Sheet
Episode: First Person: Lieutenant Tim Conroy of the Greenville Police Department
Date: October 14, 2025
Guests: Lieutenant Tim Conroy (Greenville Police)
Hosts: Áine Cain & Kevin Greenlee

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the tragic 1990 murder of Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki and its eventual linkage to serial killer Robert Eugene Brashers. The focus is on investigative persistence, the development of forensic science, and cross-state teamwork that led to the resolution of a cold case—with unique insights from Lieutenant Tim Conroy of the Greenville Police Department. The discussion also covers Brashers’ broader crimes, including connections to the Sharer double homicide, the Memphis attack, and Austin’s infamous Yogurt Shop Murders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jenny Zitricki’s Life and Murder

• Jenny Zitricki, a 28-year-old systems programmer at Michelin in Greenville, SC, was known for her outgoing, social nature (02:10–05:20).
• Lived alone at Hidden Lake Apartments—a “happening” complex for young professionals (03:55, 14:14).
• Was excited to be in a wedding party; last seen by friends late on April 4th, 1990 (04:49).
• Attacked during sleep: entry by pried sliding door, beaten with a heavy object, strangled with her own pantyhose, then left in a bathtub filled with water. Her purse was emptied into the sink, and a marker message—“Don’t fuck with my family”—was left at the scene (05:20, 16:46–18:53).

The Crime Scene and Initial Investigation

• The crime scene was staged to mislead detectives (e.g., message, attempted robbery look) (18:53).
• “There was a note on the mirror that said, ‘don’t f with my family…’ so we don’t believe he had that with him. It was kind of a red herring.” – Lt. Conroy [18:53]
• Forensic response was extensive, with two teams (county and state-level), sometimes differing in approach (22:19).
• Virtually no fingerprints; killer put significant effort into cleaning up (23:43).

DNA, Dead Ends, and Serial Profile

• Original 1990s investigation used blood typing—only in 2005 did resubmission yield a full DNA profile (25:01).
• Many initial suspects, including ex-husband, quickly ruled out (26:02).
• Multiple FBI profiles were drawn up—none proved accurate, even once suggesting a female perpetrator (27:00–28:54).

Serial’s Broader Crimes & Linking the Cases

• In 2006, the DNA profile matched a 1998 double homicide (Sherry and Megan Sharer) in Missouri; later, a 1997 rape in Memphis and the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders (1991) was also linked (30:10, 43:32, 63:22).
• “There is a lot of luck in police work.” – Lt. Conroy [29:09]
• Local and federal agencies collaborated closely, sharing evidence and case files, even appearing together on “America’s Most Wanted” to seek tips (35:20, 40:54).

Role of Forensic Genealogy & Parabon

• As forensic genealogy matured, Memphis sent the DNA to Parabon, which built a family tree using public databases (GEDmatch). Traditional tools like Ancestry/23andMe were unavailable to law enforcement (47:54).
• Genotyping pointed to Robert Eugene Brashers, though his name never appeared in original case files. Officers gathered confirmatory DNA from his surviving relatives and (eventually) his exhumed body for final proof: “It was 1 in 67 quadrillion” odds it was anyone else [50:11–53:28].

Lieutenant Conroy’s Reflections on the Case

• Emotional closure was key for families: “It was good to hear him [Jenny’s brother] just to give him that information” [53:28].
• He stresses the importance of never giving up: “We wouldn’t have ever stopped. We wouldn’t have ever given up. But I’m glad to say, hey, ... this is the person that did this” [58:34].
• Teamwork was essential: “It was always about a team effort… working for the families and solving this as a team.” [61:25]

On Brashers as a Criminal and Killer

• Brashers was a drifter and “very, very evil person” with a violent, possibly long-running criminal past (54:12; 57:26).
• Cases varied widely: adult and child victims; city and rural scenes; bludgeoning, strangulation, firearms, and arson; all linked solely by DNA (32:17–33:36, 45:31, 65:48).
• Many crime scene oddities now interpreted as “red herrings,” deliberate attempts at diversion (55:39).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the initial forensic confusion:
  “The latent print in the message on the mirror, I think those were… just all red herrings.” – Lt. Conroy [55:39]

• On seeing the exhumation of Brashers:
  “He had a little tombstone with his name on it, looked like it was handwritten… They broke the vault open,… opened the casket… It wasn’t about what we as investigators thought… it was for the victim’s family.” – Lt. Conroy [52:24–53:28]

• On cross-jurisdictional teamwork:
  “It was never, we’re going to do this, we’re going to do that. It was, let’s work together and put this behind us.” – Lt. Conroy [44:40]

• Advice for other agencies:
  “Resubmit your evidence to your lab… There are grants out there. ... Just be persistent, don’t give up. Just let technology advance and try to keep up with it.” – Lt. Conroy [61:58]

• On closure for families:
  “‘28 years. It’s been a long time. Time enough for trails to go cold. We thank you for your persistence, your teamwork, and your zeal to proceed.’” – Jenny’s brother Philip Zitricki, as referenced by the hosts [57:47]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jenny’s Background and Social Life — 02:10–05:20
• Crime Details — 05:20–09:44, 16:46–18:53
• Lt. Conroy’s Law Enforcement Career — 09:44–11:52
• Hidden Lake Apartments & Community — 14:14
• Forensic Response and Early Investigation — 22:19–24:47
• DNA Advances & Missouri Sharer Case Link — 25:01–34:36
• Comparisons of Crime Scenes — 32:17–34:36
• Persistence and Emotional Toll — 34:36
• Advent of DNA Genealogy & The Match — 47:54–53:28
• Brashers’ Profile and Motives — 54:12–57:26
• Family Closure & Reflection — 57:47–61:18
• Final Words & Advice — 61:46–63:22
• Yogurt Shop Murders Connection — 63:22–66:27

Summary Takeaways

• The episode delivers a deeply researched, firsthand account of one of Greenville’s darkest unsolved murders, spotlighting the doggedness of detectives, the evolution of DNA forensics, and the importance of interagency collaboration.
• As chilling as the details of Jenny’s murder and the serial crimes are, what stands out is the degree of human empathy carried throughout the investigation—never losing sight that behind the evidence, there were real lives, real losses, and, ultimately, answers brought by relentless teamwork.
• The story is not just about one murderer’s capture, but about how law enforcement’s refusal to give up—and ability to adapt with new technology—can finally deliver justice after decades.