CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The three family members of Cape Coral murder suspect, 16-year-old Christopher Horne Jr., bonded out of jail.
Horne's mother Shanice Stewart, his aunt Varaka Stewart and father Christopher D. Horne, are being charged with tampering with a witness of a murder investigation — the murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller. Varaka and Horne's father bailed out on May 11 while his mother bailed out on May 10.
Rincon-Miller was killed on Saint Patrick's Day in Cape Coral. Police say more suspects are expected to be arrested. So far, they have arrested 16-year-old Thomas Stein and Horne for the crime.
Police say they threatened Stein's mother during the murder investigation.
Cape Coral Police released the following about the arrest of the three family members:
"On March 18, the day after Kayla’s murder and the day before Thomas Stein was arrested, a small white car arrived at the victims home. Christopher Horne (“Buster”) was recognized as friend of Stein. Buster was with an adult Black female and male.The two adults were later identified as Shanice Stewart and Christopher Horner - who both live in Cape Coral.During a conversation that followed, the female said she was Horne’s mother and the man his father.
The couple told the victim that Horne and Stein were involved in the murder of Kayla Rincon Miller the night before, then advising the victim to follow them and bring Stein.
The victim and Stein followed the suspects in a car where they ended up in the Gator Circle area.That is where the victim and Stein were threatened to keep quiet and not cooperate with law enforcement.
Horne then brandished a pistol while making the threats. The victim was also treated by another woman later identified as Varaka Stewart - the sister of Shanice Stewart and the aunt of Christopher “Buster” Horne.
The victim says they were threatened repeatedly that if they didn’t comply and remain silent, they would be killed.Thomas Stein was arrested the next day and victim reported that the same women arrived at her house.
See AlsoNew details about the 2019 killings of two women in Cape CoralGUILTY: Wade Wilson convicted of killing two Cape Coral women in 2019FL v. Wade Wilson: Strangled Women Murder TrialNew details emerge in murder of 15-year-old Cape Coral girl, more suspects wantedThe women told the victim to keep quiet and keep Stein quiet.The victim was promised money to keep quiet.Between March 25, 2024 and April 17, 2024, the victim says she received a number of phone calls.
During those calls, the female caller, believed to be Shanice Stewart, implored the victim to keep quiet and not to cooperate with law enforcement and assure that Thomas Stein did the same.
Police say the caller threatened and intimidated the victim - indicating she had people on the inside and the outside that could get to them. During one call, the caller thanked the victim for protecting her 'baby.'"
All of the family members are due back in court for arraignment in June.
CONTINUING COVERAGE: THE MURDER OF KAYLA RINCON-MILLER
- Cape Coral UPDATE: Father, aunt join mother in jail; all related to Cape murder suspect WFTX Digital Team 3:52 PM, May 10, 2024Cape Coral UPDATE: Mother joins son in jail on obstruction charge in Cape Coral murder case Dominga Murray 5:33 PM, May 09, 2024Cape Coral UPDATE: Second suspect in Cape Coral teen's murder appears in adult court WFTX Digital Team 9:55 PM, May 07, 2024
- Downtown Fort Myers UPDATE: Second 16-year-old accused in Cape Coral teen's death charged as adult Austin Schargorodski 7:57 PM, May 06, 2024Downtown Fort Myers "Love you, baby": Second teen arrested for Cape Coral murder appears in court Kaitlin Knapp 12:39 PM, Apr 18, 2024Cape Coral Second teen arrested in murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller of Cape Coral Colton Chavez 4:03 PM, Apr 17, 2024
- Cape Coral "We love you, Thomas" Family of teen charged with murder shouts support in court Colton Chavez 12:16 PM, Apr 10, 2024Cape Coral 16-year-old linked to Cape teen's death goes to adult jail, no other arrests yet WFTX Digital Team 11:13 PM, Apr 08, 2024Cape Coral "The damage is done": Mom of Cape Coral teen pleads for justice Kaitlin Knapp 3:44 PM, Apr 03, 2024
- Cape Coral Teen charged in 15-year-old's killing pleads not guilty Colton Chavez 9:15 AM, Apr 12, 2024Cape Coral TEAM COVERAGE: Family members talk about teen killed in bizarre Cape robbery Colton Chavez 5:19 PM, Mar 19, 2024North Fort Myers Cape Police confirm teen linked to 15-year-old's murder WFTX Digital Team 9:43 PM, Mar 19, 2024
- Local News TEAM COVERAGE: Some question safety in Cape Coral following deadly teen shooting Austin Schargorodski 9:01 PM, Mar 18, 2024Cape Coral Detectives working "around the clock" in Cape Coral 15-year-old's death WFTX Digital Team 6:21 AM, Mar 18, 2024
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