Teen to testify against accused accomplice in Cape Coral girl's murder

Witness and co-defendant Thomas Stein, 17, faces first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery charges in Kayla Rincon-Miller's death.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:23pm

An extreme close-up of a shattered and cracked cell phone screen, reflecting a faint light and conveying the aftermath of a violent crime through its fragmented and distorted appearance.The shattered remains of a victim's personal device serve as a grim reminder of the human toll of youth violence in this Florida community.Cape Coral Today

A 17-year-old North Fort Myers resident named Thomas Stein is set to go on trial this month for the first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery of 16-year-old Cape Coral resident Kayla Rincon-Miller. Stein's co-defendant is expected to testify against him as a key witness in the case.

Why it matters

The murder of Kayla Rincon-Miller, a local high school student, has deeply impacted the Cape Coral community. This trial will provide more details about the circumstances surrounding her tragic death and the involvement of her alleged accomplices.

The details

Thomas Stein, 17, is accused of first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery in the death of 16-year-old Kayla Rincon-Miller. Stein's co-defendant, who has not been named, is expected to testify against him as a key witness in the upcoming trial.

  • The trial is set to begin this month (April 2026).

The players

Thomas Stein

A 17-year-old resident of North Fort Myers who is facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery in the death of Kayla Rincon-Miller.

Kayla Rincon-Miller

A 16-year-old resident of Cape Coral who was the victim of a murder.

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What’s next

The trial of Thomas Stein is scheduled to begin this month, and the testimony of his co-defendant is expected to be a key part of the proceedings.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of youth violence and the need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.