The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, a case that haunted the city for over three decades, will be the subject of a public presentation hosted by the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. In the Alkek Library Teaching Theater. Admission to “The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders: A Cold Case Investigation” is free.
A Brutal Crime and a Long Search for Answers
In December 1991, four teenage girls were tragically killed in a shooting at a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. The attack shocked the community and quickly became the city’s most infamous unsolved case. The investigation was marked by multiple suspects, wrongful convictions, and numerous conspiracy theories.
The presentation will feature Detective Dan Jackson of the Austin Police Department’s Cold Case Unit, alongside Texas State University alumni Pete Blair, Ph.D., and Kim Rossmo, Ph.D. Dr. Blair is a professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology and serves as executive director of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center. Dr. Rossmo is also a professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, and director of the Center for Geospatial Intelligence, and Investigation.
Forensic Advancements and Investigative Challenges
Each panelist played a role in the investigation and will discuss various aspects of the case, including the initial crimes, the police investigation itself, the impact of false confessions, investigative failures, and the forensic advancements that ultimately led to identifying the perpetrator. In 2025, an Austin Police Department cold case detective successfully linked the murders to a serial killer responsible for eight deaths across the Southeast.
The identification of the offender could lead to a re-examination of similar unsolved cases in the Southeast. It is also possible that further details regarding the investigation and the offender’s motives will emerge as the case continues to be processed through the legal system. Analysts expect continued public interest in the case as new information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the yogurt shop in 1991?
In December 1991, four teenage girls working at a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas, were shot and killed in a brutal attack.
How long did it take to identify the offender?
The case remained unsolved for more than a third of a century, until 2025 when an Austin Police Department cold case detective successfully identified the offender.
Who will be speaking at the Texas State University event?
Detective Dan Jackson of the Austin Police Department’s Cold Case Unit, Pete Blair, Ph.D., and Kim Rossmo, Ph.D. Will be the featured speakers.
As investigations like this demonstrate the power of persistence and evolving forensic techniques, what role do you believe public awareness and continued advocacy play in solving cold cases?
