Stephan Sterns

Stephan Sterns was charged with sexual abuse of a minor days after his girlfriend's daughter, Madeline Soto, was found murdered on March 1 in a wooded area of Osceola County, Florida. Nearly two months later, Sterns was indicted on charges of first-degree murder.


Hundreds of pages of investigative documents and reports into the disappearance and murder of Madeline Soto are revealing the mountain of evidence police have gathered against her accused killer, Stephan Sterns.
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photos of madeline soto and stephan sterns with court documents
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According to WFTV Investigative Reporter Shannon Butler, authorities have determined that Madeline Soto was allegedly strangled by Stephan Sterns, who faces the possibility of the death penalty for Soto's murder.
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Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Stephan Sterns, who's charged with sexual abuse of a minor. Sterns was later indicted on charges of first-degree murder in connection to Madeline Soto's death.
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Court TV addresses the odd reaction from Madeline Soto's mother, Jenn Soto, in newly released bodycam footage as the investigation starts in the search for Madeline Soto, who had been missing for twelve hours at that point.
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Newly released videos of Stephan Sterns and Jenn Soto are offering new insight into the first minutes of the search for Madeline Soto, the 13-year-old girl found dead in a wooded area days after she was reported missing.
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Stephan Sterns and Jennifer Soto are seen on bodycamera
A lot of questions are being asked about Jenn Soto; and whether she knew about the abuse Madeline Soto was allegedly suffering at the hands of Stephan Sterns. Jenn allowed Stephan to sleep in the same bed as Madeline when she wasn't present.
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Photo of Madeline Soto
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Audio of Stephan Sterns' February 27, 2024 police interview is released. The interview occurred before Madeline Soto's body was found and before the disturbing images on his phone were discovered.
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side by side photos of Madeline Soto and Stephan Sterns
photo of Madeline Soto
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After Stephan Sterns was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in Madeline Soto's death, the panel asks what her mother, Jenn Soto, knew and whether she'll end up being a witness or a co-defendant alongside Sterns.
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Julie with a picture of Madeline Soto on the monitor.
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Madeline Soto suffered at the hands of Stephan Sterns. Sterns was charged with her murder.
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The Tragic Story of Madeline Soto

Madeline Soto suffered at the hands of Stephan Sterns, so much so, that she said that after she turned 13 she wanted to go live... More

April 24, 2024

Presser at podium announcing Stephan Sterns charges with GFX of a splitscreen of Sterns and Soto.
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photo of a smiling girl next to a man walking in white jumpsuit
The panel analyze the conversations between Stephan Sterns and the sheriff during Sterns' jail transport in newly released video.
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Experts analyze Stephan Sterns' body language as he's transported by authorities after he was arrested.
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Stephan Sterns in police car
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photo of Madeline Soto with pink balloons, streamers
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side by side photos of Madeline Soto and Stephan Sterns
An unknown woman called 911 to report Madeline Soto missing and the panel discuss who the caller may have been and how calm the person seems to be.
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The medical examiner's office said the report is confidential and exempt from being publicly released.
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The panel weigh in and discuss a short video of Madeline Soto on her 13th birthday.
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madeline soto missing poster
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Stephan Sterns was using the Telegram App, which is an encrypted instant messaging service.
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Madeline Soto's text messages suggested she wanted to live in the woods after her 13th birthday.
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