Husband arrested months after missing Florida woman found dead with head trauma, gunshot wounds
03/29/2024 1:15 pm PDT
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. (TCD) -- Police in West Virginia recently arrested the husband of a missing 39-year-old woman months after the victim was found dead on the side of a Florida road.
According to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, on Jan. 19, Amber Estep's mother reported her daughter missing after she failed to show up to work at a local hotel. Authorities learned Amber Estep was last seen by her husband, Brian Estep, on Jan. 16, after leaving a medical appointment.
During an interview with the husband, Brian Estep reportedly told investigators he and his wife got into an argument while driving from the appointment. Brian Estep allegedly accused his wife of cheating on him with multiple men, and she slapped him before telling him to let her out. Brian Estep dropped her off along I-95, just north of State Road 50.
According to Ivey, Brian Estep said he begged his wife to get back into the car but eventually drove away.
The sheriff's office later found Brian Estep's vehicle engulfed in flames.
On Jan. 20, a property owner found Amber Estep's remains off State Route 46 near Pit Bull Lane. Ivey said the victim sustained head trauma and multiple gunshot wounds.
Officials reportedly found blood in a nearby wooded area that contained Amber Estep's DNA. Investigators allege Brian Estep killed his wife, moved her body, and discarded her remains where she was ultimately found.
Not long after Amber Estep was discovered dead, Brian Estep reportedly moved to West Virginia, where he was arrested and remains held without bond. Brian Estep will be extradited to Florida to face charges of first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm and tampering with evidence relating to a capital felony.
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