The parents and aunt of a Cape Coral teen accused in the murder of 15-year-old Kayla Rincon Miller are no longer facing witness tampering charges.
Prosecutors dropped the charges this week against Christopher Horne Jr.’s mother, father and aunt, citing what they called “new evidence” that came to light.
The three were arrested in 2024, just months after police charged Horne and Thomas Stein, both teenagers at the time, in connection with Miller’s murder.
Cape Coral police say Miller was walking with friends from the movie theater to get food when she was shot and killed in March 2024.
According to arrest records, Thomas Stein’s mother told police that Horne’s family took her to a park and threatened her family if they spoke to law enforcement about the case. That allegation led to the arrest of Horne’s parents and aunt on witness tampering charges.
But this week, the state attorney’s office dismissed those charges.
“The evidence in this case has been reviewed and rereviewed,” said Michael Colombo, the attorney for Horne’s mother, Varaka Stewart. “New evidence surfaced which cleared my client.”
Colombo argues that Stein’s mother was never a victim, but instead a mother trying to protect her own son.
"Ms. Stewart wanted me to reiterate to you that she wants justice for Kayla. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Kayla’s family. We know the state attorney’s office will get justice for Kayla. Jessica Stein is not a victim, but rather, a mom who attempted to cover and deflect her son’s horrific actions. No one ever threatened Jessica Stein. Her false claims have now been put to rest," he said.
Gulf Coast News confronted Horne’s family the night they bonded out of jail last year. At the time, they insisted they were innocent.
Gulf Coast News attempted to reach Jessica Stein for comment, but has not heard back. Gulf Coast News also reached out to the state attorney's office to clarify what new evidence resulted in the dismissal of the charges.
A spokesperson for the SAO said, "Due to the active murder case, I am not able to discuss it further."
The murder case against Horne and Thomas Stein remains active. Both teens are scheduled for hearings on Thursday.
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