Austin Yogurt Shop Murders Remain Unsolved After 31 Years

The Yogurt Shop Murders, a brutal and unsolved crime from 1991 in Austin, Texas, where four teenage girls were bound, shot, and set on fire, remains a haunting case over three decades later. The incident, which profoundly impacted the city and was described as the moment Austin 'lost its innocence,' has been explored in a new four-part HBO documentary directed by Margaret Brown, which combines archival footage and present-day interviews to examine grief, trauma, and the ongoing search for justice. Despite arrests and convictions of four men in 1999, two convictions were overturned due to prosecutorial and investigative errors, and the case remains open as investigators hope advances in DNA technology may eventually identify the killers. The documentary draws on material from a previous unfinished film and features perspectives from family members like Sonora Thomas, whose sister was a victim, and retired investigator John Jones, underscoring the lasting emotional toll and community impact. The case continues to receive media attention, including a '48 Hours' report that highlights new evidence and the enduring commitment of investigators and families to solving the murders. The series premiered on HBO on August 3 and reflects on the complexities of true crime storytelling and the human cost behind such tragedies.