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Gary Herbst’s son breaks his silence. In an exclusive interview airing tonight on 48 Hours, Austin Herbst reveals why he killed his father in 2013, shocking audiences with a confession that stayed buried for 13 years. The story spans from Minnesota to Wisconsin, uncovering secrets neighbors will never forget.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Episode airs: Tonight (Saturday, March 21) at 10 PM ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+
- Austin Herbst: Killed father Gary in 2013, sentenced to 12.5 years in prison
- The disappearance: Gary vanished from family home in Minnesota, remains found 4 years later in Wisconsin
- His reason: Austin claims he feared Gary would hurt his mother, driven by years of abuse
A Neighbor Vanishes Without a Trace
Gary Herbst, a 57-year-old Minnesota resident, seemingly evaporated in July 2013. Within days of his disappearance, neighbors made an unsettling observation: a rolled-up carpet being carried out of his home late at night. Connie Herbst, Gary’s wife, told authorities he had abandoned the family, taking $5,000 cash and leaving his cell phone behind. For nearly a decade, the community watched the family’s property go silent. No one knew the horror unfolding in the basement.
The Evil That Neighbors Saw Coming
In the small Elko-New Market area of Minnesota and nearby Wisconsin, Gary Herbst had earned a dark reputation. Neighbors described him as “evil” and “dangerous,” prone to profane outbursts over minor everyday matters. The entire community regarded him as deeply troubled. According to investigators, Austin Herbst and his mother Connie endured years of verbal and physical abuse from the family’s patriarch. This context shaped the tragedy that unfolded on that summer night.
Gary Herbst’s son reveals why he killed his father tonight on 48 Hours
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| Case Detail | Information |
| Victim | Gary Albert Herbst, age 57 |
| Location | New Prague, Minnesota / Barron County, Wisconsin |
| Date of death | July 3, 2013 |
| Remains discovered | December 2017 (4 years later) |
| Identified | June 2020 via DNA Doe Project |
“To this day, I believe he was going to kill her that night. If I would have stood aside, my mom would be dead. I knew what I did and why I did it, and to this day, I am confident that my decisions were justified.”
— Austin Herbst, during pre-sentencing hearing
The Discovery That Shocked a Community
On December 3, 2017, a Wisconsin homeowner made a horrifying find. His dog returned from a nearby field with a human skull in its mouth, bearing a visible bullet hole in the top. Deputies combing the wooded area discovered more remains scattered across the property: ribs, backbone, clothing, and dentures. An autopsy confirmed death by gunshot wound to the head, but identification proved nearly impossible. The body remained a mystery for three more years until advanced genealogical DNA testing finally revealed the jaw-dropping truth.
A Mother’s Choice, A Son’s Secret
Austin Herbst admitted to shooting his father in the head while he slept, claiming he acted to protect his mother. Investigators discovered witness testimony about the rolled-up carpet, basement blood evidence, and text messages between mother and son discussing the incident. Connie Herbst pleaded guilty to aiding her son after the fact and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. Austin received 12.5 years, a sentence significantly below state guidelines, reflecting the judge’s consideration of the abuse claims. Tonight, for the first time in prison, he tells his story directly to America.
What The Neighbors Saw Coming: The Exclusive Interview Airs Tonight
48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant sits down with Austin Herbst in an exclusive prison interview airing tonight at 10 PM ET. The episode, titled “What the Neighbors Saw,” features interviews with neighbors who witnessed the suspicious activities, investigators who pieced together this 13-year cold case, and for the first time, the convicted son’s perspective. Will Austin’s explanation justify his actions, or will viewers judge him differently after hearing his full account? The nation will find answers tonight as CBS unlocks one of the decade’s most shocking family tragedies.
Sources
- CBS Entertainment – Paramount Press Express official announcement and 48 Hours episode details
- Oxygen Crime News – Comprehensive case analysis and court documents
- Minnesota CBS News – Official charges and sentencing information for the Herbst case
