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The story of 13-year-old Madeline Soto’s disappearance in February 2024 quickly became a nationwide tragedy. On February 26, her mother reported Madeline missing from their Kissimmee, Florida, home, sparking a frantic search by local authorities and the community.
In a case that initially seemed like it could have a hopeful ending, what was expected to be a recovery story turned grim when, two days later, the young girl’s body was found in a wooded area. On February 28, the Kissimmee police confirmed the worst: Madeline had been strangled to death, and the case was officially a homicide investigation.
Related: New Photos Show Madeline Soto’s Alleged Killer Working at Disney World
The investigation into her death quickly centered on Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline’s mother. Sterns, who had a history of working as a cast member at Walt Disney World Resort, became a primary suspect after suspicious actions led authorities to him. Though Disney confirmed that Sterns was no longer a cast member, they declined to comment on whether he had worked there in the past.
On the day Madeline went missing, Sterns was seen discarding items in a dumpster, including Madeline’s school-issued backpack and computer. Additionally, he performed a factory reset on his phone that same day, raising significant concerns about his involvement.
Despite these alarming behaviors, Sterns initially maintained his innocence. He insisted that he had no role in Madeline’s disappearance and denied any wrongdoing. However, as the investigation progressed, evidence began to unravel his story. Authorities were granted access to Sterns’ phone, and what they found was nothing short of shocking.
The contents of his Google Cloud account revealed disturbing photos and videos documenting the abuse Sterns had inflicted on Madeline for years, beginning when she was just eight years old. This evidence, combined with other findings, led to charges of first-degree murder.
By April 25, Sterns was officially charged with the murder of Madeline, and the State Attorney’s office announced that it would seek the death penalty. But the case took an unexpected turn just days before the trial was scheduled to begin.
On July 21, 2025, Sterns made the decision to plead no contest to the charges of both rape and murder, avoiding a trial and accepting a plea deal. This unexpected move resulted in a life sentence, as the death penalty was taken off the table.
Stephan Sterns was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, and an additional life sentence for 20 sex offenses, including sexual battery of a child, Osceola County Circuit Judge Keith Carsten ordered, according to Orlando CBS affiliate WKMG.
Sterns pleaded no contest to the first-degree murder charge and guilty to all 20 counts of sex crimes during a plea hearing Monday afternoon. This abrupt change came just as he was expected to go on trial this week for the sexual battery charges. Sterns had previously pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing and murdering Madeline Soto, the daughter of his former girlfriend.
Before Sterns received his sentence, Madeline’s father, Tyler Wallace, delivered an emotional victim impact statement. Through tears, Wallace described Sterns as “depraved,” “weak,” and a “coward” for his actions. Wallace shared how the loss of his daughter had left an irreplaceable hole in his heart, and he expressed a chilling hope that Sterns would experience the same pain his daughter had suffered during the remainder of his life sentence.
Wallace’s words stood as a painful reminder of the lasting impact such a horrific crime can have on families.
While justice has been served for Madeline, the emotional scars left on her family are profound and unhealable. We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Madeline Soto, whose pain is beyond measure. Madeline’s memory will live on, and we hope that she may forever rest in peace.
