The Florida man's son, Lane Estep, has been charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence, in connection with the killing of his father's wife in January.
Lane Estep, who is 18, was taken into custody the day after his father's arrest. He was charged with arson for setting fire to his father's truck following police questioning of Brian Estep about the disappearance of Amber Estep. According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office,.
Amber Estep’s mother reported her missing on January 19, as CrimeOnline reported. Deputies spoke with Brian Estep that day, and he told them they got into an argument as they returned from a medical appointment on Merritt Island on January 16, and he let her out of the truck when she asked to get out somewhere along Interstate 95.
Hours later, Brian Estep’s pickup truck was found ablaze in Port Saint John. Lane Estep was found at the scene of the fire, and told investigators he was there to take pictures and that the fire was caused by a defect under recall, WKMG reported.
But investigators found there was no fire related recall on the truck.
The next day, Amber Estep’s remains were found in a remote area off State Route 46 in Mims. She had been shot multiple times and also had head trauma.
Brian Estep was arrested and charged with first degree murder and tampering with evidence on March 28 in West Virginia, where he abruptly moved after his wife’s body was found.
Lane Estep was arrested the next day, also in West Virginia, and charged with second degree arson. The new charges were filed last week, after investigators put together witness reports and crime scene analysis.
The father and son were extradited back to Florida on Wednesday, WKMG reported. Both are being held without bond and are due back in court on May 30, according to jail records.
[Featured image: Brian Estep, Amber Estep, and Lane Estep/Brevard County Sheriff’s Office]