BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A tragic case out of Brevard County, Florida, involves the murder of Amber Estep and the subsequent arrest of her husband, Brian Estep, and their son, Lane Estep. Brian Estep stands accused of the murder of his wife, while Lane Estep is accused of aiding in covering up the crime.
Amber Estep was reported missing on January 19 by her mother after a reported argument with Brian three days earlier. Brian claimed that the argument erupted after Amber confessed to having multiple affairs, leading to a heated exchange in their vehicle. He alleged that Amber demanded to be let out of the truck on the side of the highway, after which he did not try to contact her. Instead, he assumed she had gone to her mother’s house.
Shortly after Brian spoke to deputies, his truck was discovered engulfed in flames in a wooded area. When deputies arrived at the scene, Lane Estep, Brian’s 18-year-old son, claimed he had taken the truck to ride his ATV and that it had caught fire spontaneously due to a recall. However, investigators later determined that the fire had been intentionally set using an accelerant.
Tragically, Amber’s body was found the following day, showing signs of multiple gunshot wounds to her neck and face, as well as blunt force injuries. Investigators utilized Amber’s cellphone data to trace her last known location, leading them to a wooded area where they discovered evidence of violence.
In the aftermath of Amber’s death, Brian and Lane relocated to West Virginia. Nevertheless, authorities persisted in their investigation, eventually placing Brian’s truck in close proximity to where Amber’s body was found. On March 28, Brian was taken into custody on charges of first-degree premeditated murder and tampering with evidence related to a capital offense.
Subsequently, Lane was also arrested in connection with the case. An affidavit alleges Lane’s involvement in destroying evidence by setting fire to his father’s truck. He now faces charges of arson in the first degree, accessory after the fact, and tampering with evidence, according to jail records. The case continues to unfold as authorities seek to bring justice to the tragic death of Amber Estep.