Best True Crime Documentaries

Cops Unlock Predator’s Phone, Find Horrifying Videos of Missing Girl


Listen Later

Cops Unlock Predator’s Phone, Find Horrifying Videos of Missing Girl 

In February 2024, 13-year-old Madeline Soto was reported missing, last seen with her mother’s boyfriend, 37‑year‑old Stephan Sterns. Investigators quickly focused on him due to “abnormal” security footage showing Sterns leaving with a slumped-over passenger — later identified as Madeline. 

A forensic search of Sterns’ phone revealed more than 1,700 disturbing images of child sexual abuse dating back to 2019. 

He was arrested on February 28, initially for sexual battery and child pornography. Five days later, Madeline’s body was discovered in a wooded area, and Sterns was indicted on first-degree murder. 
 
Sterns now faces the death penalty, and with dozens of pretrial motions and delayed hearings, the case has grown more complex — and more emotionally draining for Madeline’s family and the community. 

This episode traces the chilling timeline: from the missing child report to the discovery of gruesome digital evidence, the arrest and charges, and the legal road ahead in a murder case that has shaken Central Florida to its core.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of child sexual abuse, murder, and graphic evidence. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Stephan Sterns, Madeline Soto, Florida murder, child sexual abuse, child pornography, Okeechobee murder, prime suspect arrest, forensic evidence, death penalty case, missing child investigation, disturbing images, trial delays, true crime podcast

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/best-true-crime-documentaries--6015157/support.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Best True Crime DocumentariesBy Best True Crime Documentaries - Serial Killer Documentaries 2025 - Podcast

  • 3.8
  • 3.8
  • 3.8
  • 3.8
  • 3.8

3.8

4 ratings


More shows like Best True Crime Documentaries

View all
True Crime Garage by TRUE CRIME GARAGE

True Crime Garage

34,339 Listeners

Snapped: Women Who Murder by Oxygen

Snapped: Women Who Murder

4,988 Listeners

True Crime All The Time by Emash Digital / Wondery

True Crime All The Time

13,890 Listeners

The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories by Grip Tape

The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories

6,783 Listeners

Serial Killers by Spotify Studios

Serial Killers

29,144 Listeners

Cold Case Files by A&E / PodcastOne

Cold Case Files

8,761 Listeners

Monsters Who Murder with The Serial Killer Whisperer by Amanda Howard & Robert McKnight

Monsters Who Murder with The Serial Killer Whisperer

580 Listeners

Morbidology by Morbidology

Morbidology

1,435 Listeners

Music City 911 by Music City 911

Music City 911

880 Listeners

Human Monsters by Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

Human Monsters

1,355 Listeners

Serialously with Annie Elise by 10 to LIFE & Audioboom Studios

Serialously with Annie Elise

9,340 Listeners

Murder In America by Bloody FM

Murder In America

7,122 Listeners

True Crime with Kendall Rae by Mile Higher Media & Audioboom Studios

True Crime with Kendall Rae

5,590 Listeners

Serial Killer: A True Crime Podcast by Unreported Story Society

Serial Killer: A True Crime Podcast

1,053 Listeners

Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers by Crime House

Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers

613 Listeners