The cause of death for 13-year-old Madeline Soto, whose tragic disappearance led to the arrest of her mother’s boyfriend, has now been disclosed by authorities.
Madeline was discovered deceased in a wooded area on March 1, just a few days after she was reported missing on February 26 from her home in Kissimmee, Florida, according to earlier reports from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The medical examiner has officially classified her death as a homicide, confirming that she died due to strangulation, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando, WESH, and Click Orlando.
During the investigation into Madeline’s disappearance, her mother’s boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, was taken into custody on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. Although these charges were initially unrelated to Madeline’s disappearance, Sterns was quickly identified as the primary suspect in her case.
In April, Sterns faced additional charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with Madeline’s death, as announced by authorities in Osceola County. Investigators uncovered numerous disturbing images and videos, leading to a total of 60 charges against him, including capital sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, and possession of child pornography, according to a statement from the State Attorney’s Office.
The sheriff’s office revealed evidence suggesting that Madeline “was never dropped off near her school” on the morning of February 26, contrary to what was initially believed. Sterns was reportedly the last person seen with her that morning. The night before her disappearance, Madeline’s mother allegedly asked her to sleep with Sterns so she could rest after a late work shift, as she later informed authorities, according to a “supplemental case report” cited by WESH.
On the morning of her disappearance, Sterns was reportedly captured on video discarding items in a trashcan at the apartment complex where he lived with Madeline and her mother. Authorities later retrieved Madeline’s backpack and laptop from that trashcan. About an hour after this, Sterns was seen with Madeline in his car, and investigators believe she was already deceased at that time.
Sterns is accused of sexually abusing Madeline and recording the abuse on video, with authorities alleging that the abuse began as early as 2022, when Madeline was just 11 years old. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Sterns has pleaded not guilty to all 60 charges, as reported by Click Orlando and the Osceola News-Gazette.