Authorities Arrest Brevard Man for Arson, Tampering With Evidence in Amber Estep Homicide Case
By Space Coast Daily // April 19, 2024
Message from Sheriff Wayne Ivey
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – A few weeks ago we provided an update on the Amber Estep homicide with the arrest of her husband, Brian Estep, for her brutal murder.
As a result of the investigation, Brian’s son, Lane Estep was also arrested the following day, by the State of Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives for Second Degree Arson.
Like his dad, Brian was initially taken into custody by the West Virginia State Police for the arson of the truck that was set on fire following the murder.
While Lane was originally arrested several weeks ago, this past Tuesday he arrived at his new accommodations at “Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge” with prime reservations being held in his name for two additional charges…Accessory After The Fact Relating To A Capital Felony and Tampering With Evidence Relating to a Capital Felony.
Since Amber’s initial disappearance on January 16, and the finding of her remains on January 20th, our BCSO Homicide Agents and team have been working around the clock locking in all of the potential evidence in the case to make sure all responsible parties were held accountable in this horrific case.
As part of the investigation and to no surprise of anyone, the vehicle fire was clearly deemed arson and prior to that, witnesses had observed Lane Estep helping his father, Brian, thoroughly clean the vehicle in an attempt to dispose of any evidence from the incident.
The saying “every contact leaves a trace” serves an even greater meaning in the world of crime scenes and investigations, and especially in this case.
Despite the efforts of those with evil in their heart to eliminate evidence of their involvement in Amber’s murder, their activities, their movements, and their actions, could not be cleaned up and were were slowly brought to light by our Agents, our Crime Analysts, and Crime Scene Unit.
As such, evidence of Lane Etep’s efforts to cover up evidence of the murder of Amber by setting fire to the vehicle was well established and ultimately led to his arrest this past Tuesday on additional charges of Accessory After The Fact Relating To A Capital Felony and Tampering With Evidence Relating to a Capital Felony.
Thanks to a great number of our citizens who “saw something and said something,” the amazing work of our Agents and Crime Analysts, and of course, the incredible talents of our Crime Scene Unit, Lane is now right where he belongs…locked behind steel bars at the Brevard County Jail on a “No Bond” status.
The case is now in the hands of the criminal justice system that will hopefully put Lane and his dad behind bars where they can have a family reunion that’s attended by them and their new family of violent thugs in state prison.
Again, I can’t thank enough our citizens, our Homicide Agents, Crime Scene Investigators, Analysts, and our Digital Forensics Unit, for their diligent work on this case, as well as our partners at the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police.
I pray this latest arrest brings more closure to Amber’s family and friends, as we continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
