Killing Of Madeline Soto
Child Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Kissimmee, Florida
TIME PERIOD
February 26, 2024 - March 1, 2024
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On February 26, 2024, 13-year-old Madeline Soto was reported missing in Kissimmee, Florida, after failing to arrive at her middle school. A search led to the discovery of her body in a wooded area on March 1, 2024, with the cause of death determined to be strangulation. Her mother's boyfriend, 37-year-old Stephan Michael Sterns, was charged with first-degree murder, sexual battery, and possession of child sexual abuse materials after evidence surfaced, including video footage of him discarding Soto's belongings and explicit content involving the victim found on his devices. In July 2025, Sterns pleaded no contest to the murder charge and guilty to 60 additional sex crime charges, resulting in a sentence of 21 concurrent life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Stephan Michael Sterns is believed to have committed the murder of Madeline Soto as part of a premeditated act, as evidenced by video footage of him discarding her belongings shortly after her disappearance. There is speculation that Sterns may have had a history of abusive behavior, given the discovery of child sexual abuse materials on his devices. Some community members also theorize that there may be additional victims or that more individuals could be implicated in the case, based on the nature of the evidence found.
The Tragic Case of Madeline Soto
The Disappearance
Kissimmee, Florida, was thrust into the spotlight on February 26, 2024, when a young girl named Madeline Soto vanished without a trace. The 13-year-old was last seen heading to her middle school, but she never arrived. Concern quickly mounted as the Orange County Sheriff's Office put out a call to the community the following day, pleading for any information that could lead to her safe return.
The Investigation
The urgency of the situation intensified as the days passed. On February 28, the Orange County Sheriff's Office launched a full-scale search for Madeline. Tragically, their efforts culminated on March 1, when her lifeless body was discovered in a wooded area. The Kissimmee Police Department immediately took over the case, now a homicide investigation. By August, they confirmed the cause of death: strangulation.
Amid the investigation, a chilling piece of evidence surfaced. Surveillance footage showed Stephan Michael Sterns, Madeline's mother's boyfriend, disposing of items in a dumpster on the day of her disappearance. Among the discarded belongings were Madeline's backpack and her school-issued laptop. Adding to the suspicion, Sterns's phone underwent a factory reset on the same day—a move he later dismissed as accidental.
The Evidence
As the investigation progressed, Sterns, a 37-year-old originally from Aurora, Illinois, who had moved around Georgia, Southern California, and finally Florida, found himself under intense scrutiny. On February 28, he consented to a police search of his phone. The findings were devastating. Authorities discovered pictures and videos of Sterns molesting Madeline, with evidence dating back to when she was just eight years old. These harrowing discoveries were also found stored on his Google Drive. Sterns attempted to contest the legality of this evidence, arguing it was obtained without a search warrant.
Legal Proceedings
In April 2024, a grand jury indicted Sterns for murder. The legal battle intensified when, on June 10, the Ninth Judicial Circuit Attorney's Office declared its intention to seek the death penalty. Sterns's defense team engaged in a fierce dispute, citing constitutional amendments to argue that the death penalty constituted cruel and unusual punishment.
The case reached a pivotal moment on July 21, 2025, when Stephan Michael Sterns entered a plea of no contest to the murder charge and guilty to all 60 other charges related to sex crimes. This plea deal spared him from the death penalty. Later that day, the court handed down a sentence of 21 concurrent life sentences in state prison, ensuring Sterns would remain behind bars with no chance of parole.
Conclusion
The murder of Madeline Soto sent shockwaves through the community and beyond, highlighting the harrowing reality of child abuse and the brutal betrayal of trust within a family. The legal system delivered justice with Sterns's conviction, but for Madeline's family and those who followed the case, the loss remains immeasurable.
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Madeline Soto Reported Missing
13-year-old Madeline Soto is reported missing by her school after she fails to arrive.
Search Initiated
Orange County Sheriff's Office begins search for Soto after her disappearance.
Body Found
Madeline Soto's body is discovered in a wooded area, leading to a homicide investigation.
Sterns Indicted
Stephan Michael Sterns is indicted by a grand jury for the murder of Madeline Soto.
Death Penalty Sought
Prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty against Sterns.
Sterns Pleads No Contest
Stephan Sterns pleads no contest to murder and guilty on 60 other sex crime charges.
Sentencing
Sterns is sentenced to 21 concurrent life sentences with no possibility of parole.
On February 26, 2024, 13-year-old Madeline Soto was reported missing in Kissimmee, Florida, after failing to arrive at her middle school. A search led to the discovery of her body in a wooded area on March 1, 2024, with the cause of death determined to be strangulation. Her mother's boyfriend, 37-year-old Stephan Michael Sterns, was charged with first-degree murder, sexual battery, and possession of child sexual abuse materials after evidence surfaced, including video footage of him discarding Soto's belongings and explicit content involving the victim found on his devices. In July 2025, Sterns pleaded no contest to the murder charge and guilty to 60 additional sex crime charges, resulting in a sentence of 21 concurrent life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Stephan Michael Sterns is believed to have committed the murder of Madeline Soto as part of a premeditated act, as evidenced by video footage of him discarding her belongings shortly after her disappearance. There is speculation that Sterns may have had a history of abusive behavior, given the discovery of child sexual abuse materials on his devices. Some community members also theorize that there may be additional victims or that more individuals could be implicated in the case, based on the nature of the evidence found.
The Tragic Case of Madeline Soto
The Disappearance
Kissimmee, Florida, was thrust into the spotlight on February 26, 2024, when a young girl named Madeline Soto vanished without a trace. The 13-year-old was last seen heading to her middle school, but she never arrived. Concern quickly mounted as the Orange County Sheriff's Office put out a call to the community the following day, pleading for any information that could lead to her safe return.
The Investigation
The urgency of the situation intensified as the days passed. On February 28, the Orange County Sheriff's Office launched a full-scale search for Madeline. Tragically, their efforts culminated on March 1, when her lifeless body was discovered in a wooded area. The Kissimmee Police Department immediately took over the case, now a homicide investigation. By August, they confirmed the cause of death: strangulation.
Amid the investigation, a chilling piece of evidence surfaced. Surveillance footage showed Stephan Michael Sterns, Madeline's mother's boyfriend, disposing of items in a dumpster on the day of her disappearance. Among the discarded belongings were Madeline's backpack and her school-issued laptop. Adding to the suspicion, Sterns's phone underwent a factory reset on the same day—a move he later dismissed as accidental.
The Evidence
As the investigation progressed, Sterns, a 37-year-old originally from Aurora, Illinois, who had moved around Georgia, Southern California, and finally Florida, found himself under intense scrutiny. On February 28, he consented to a police search of his phone. The findings were devastating. Authorities discovered pictures and videos of Sterns molesting Madeline, with evidence dating back to when she was just eight years old. These harrowing discoveries were also found stored on his Google Drive. Sterns attempted to contest the legality of this evidence, arguing it was obtained without a search warrant.
Legal Proceedings
In April 2024, a grand jury indicted Sterns for murder. The legal battle intensified when, on June 10, the Ninth Judicial Circuit Attorney's Office declared its intention to seek the death penalty. Sterns's defense team engaged in a fierce dispute, citing constitutional amendments to argue that the death penalty constituted cruel and unusual punishment.
The case reached a pivotal moment on July 21, 2025, when Stephan Michael Sterns entered a plea of no contest to the murder charge and guilty to all 60 other charges related to sex crimes. This plea deal spared him from the death penalty. Later that day, the court handed down a sentence of 21 concurrent life sentences in state prison, ensuring Sterns would remain behind bars with no chance of parole.
Conclusion
The murder of Madeline Soto sent shockwaves through the community and beyond, highlighting the harrowing reality of child abuse and the brutal betrayal of trust within a family. The legal system delivered justice with Sterns's conviction, but for Madeline's family and those who followed the case, the loss remains immeasurable.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Madeline Soto Reported Missing
13-year-old Madeline Soto is reported missing by her school after she fails to arrive.
Search Initiated
Orange County Sheriff's Office begins search for Soto after her disappearance.
Body Found
Madeline Soto's body is discovered in a wooded area, leading to a homicide investigation.
Sterns Indicted
Stephan Michael Sterns is indicted by a grand jury for the murder of Madeline Soto.
Death Penalty Sought
Prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty against Sterns.
Sterns Pleads No Contest
Stephan Sterns pleads no contest to murder and guilty on 60 other sex crime charges.
Sentencing
Sterns is sentenced to 21 concurrent life sentences with no possibility of parole.