BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – After a teenager faced a judge on accusations of helping his father try to get away with killing a woman, Brian Estep was extradited to Brevard County as well.
Brian Estep, 42, was the husband of Amber Estep, 39, who went missing in January before she was found dead. Then, her husband’s pickup truck was seen on fire.
Lane Estep 18, is accused of burning his dad’s pickup in the woods in Port St. John to destroy evidence.
The teenager faced Judge Kelly Ingram Wednesday at the Brevard County jail.
Then on Thursday, Brian Estep made his first appearance as well on a murder charge.
The sheriff’s office said Brian Estep shot Amber during an argument in which he accused his wife of having an affair.
News 6 reporter James Sparvero learned that Amber worked with a man at a hotel named Jerry Brown.
Brown told Sparvero Thursday that he and Amber were not more than friends.
Brown is believed to be the last person to see Amber alive in January. He said he was driving when he saw the couple, and Brian Estep lost his temper.
“You could visibly tell he was screaming and yelling at her pointing at my truck,” Brown said. “I looked at my buddy who was riding beside me and I was like, ‘Hey man, that’s the guy I was telling you about from work that’s accusing me of stuff with his wife.”
Like she ordered with his son Wednesday, Judge Ingram kept Brian Estep behind bars, as well.
“Mr. Estep, you’ll be held in custody with no bond,” the judge said.
Attorney Michael Panella represented Brian Estep in court.
“He needs to settle in, and he and I are going to have a chance to have a good conversation,” Panella said about defending his client. “In any case this serious, it’s important to wait until all the facts come out rather than jumping to conclusions.”
Brown said he misses working with Amber Estep.
“She was always happy, just the type of person she was,” he said.
Both Esteps have entered written pleas of not guilty.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: