There is new evidence that suggests possibly more people were involved in the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto.
Fox 35 reports that the State Attorney’s Office has a 64-page file with several emails between Stephan Stern, 37, and his family that allude to others being involved in what happened to Madeline.
The emails the State Attorney’s Office has are from May 29 to July 1. It is believed the communications are with Stern’s possible brother, Chris, and their mother.
One of the emails from Chris’s account, written by Stern’s mother, stated, “We all know [redacted] was heavily involved in this, and I am disgusted that she is free, and you are not, when this is not all your fault!! You need to think about yourself more and her less. She sure isn’t thinking of you and how she can help you right now.”
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement has mentioned possibly other suspects.
In March, Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said, “Everyone who was close to Madeline is considered a suspect until proven otherwise.”
In April, during a press conference, Homicide Unit Chief Will Jay said, “This is not over. There is an ongoing investigation to uncover more evidence.”
Sterns is currently a resident of Osceola County Jail, where he is charged with first-degree murder, sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child sex abuse material.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the body of a missing Florida teen who had been the subject of a desperate search was found on March 1 in a wooded area in Osceola County.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Madeline’s body was found off Hickory Tree Road around 4:30 p.m., as reported by WOFL. Police found the body after receiving a tip, following a press conference earlier that Friday.
The discovery was made in the area where Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline’s mother, Jennifer Soto, was seen that Monday afternoon, around 1 or 2 p.m., when he stopped to change a tire.
Sterns, who was arrested that Wednesday on child pornography charges after police found disturbing images on his cell phone, told investigators he had dropped Madeline off about half a mile from her school Monday morning.
In April, a grand jury indicted Sterns with first-degree murder in Madeline’s death, nearly two months after her body was found in Osceola County.
The indictment alleges that Sterns killed Madeline between February 25 and February 27, but no other details about the death were released, according to WOFL.
Currently, Sterns is the only person arrested and charged with Madeline’s murder and disappearance; however, the case remains open.
The State Attorney’s Office intends to pursue the death penalty against Sterns.
“Below is the full email from Stephan Sterns’ mother on his brother Chris Sterns’ jail communications account from June 25 at 9:11 p.m. This email was included in a 64-page document from the State Attorney’s Office obtained by FOX 35 on Friday.”
‘You don’t see the commissary and cannot order anything? I hope that gets resolved quickly. Do you remember your balance? Jail and prison are not meant to be comfortable. All part of the mental punishment I guess. Stay positive, talk with your attorneys. I keep thinking about how you would not ever rat out a friend. It really made me mad and I felt like you valued them over us when you let them get away with stuff.
Don’t be doing that again. We all know [redacted] was heavily involved in this and I am disgusted that she is free and you are not when this is not all your fault!! You need to think about yourself more and her less. She sure isn’t thinking of you and how she can help you right now.
That whole family is willing to stay quiet and let you take the fall for everything. When you do that you are hurting us too. Please, get out of your head over this and start talking with your attorneys. This stuff is serious – and you need to approach it as life and death, which it is. I think of the craziness [redacted] lived through with [redacted] various partners … Not a stable life at all for a child. I do pray for [redacted] and for you daily. I am thrilled that you are working out again and have a physical outlet for the stress. I hope you get your coffee and candy straightened out quickly.
So far, I haven’t seen a cancellation on Congo. Let us know as stuff filters down to you through the system. THIS Origami book is just paperback – no paper, just patterns if I read it right. Well I am off to feed the curly ones now. Love, hugs and prayers now and every day and night. Mom”
This is still a developing story. Check back with CrimeOnline for the most updated information.
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[Featured image: Handout]
