Going West: True Crime
Episode 585: Madeline Soto – Living With a Monster
Released: February 24, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Episode Overview
This harrowing episode of Going West centers on the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Madeline “Maddie” Soto from Kissimmee, Florida, in February 2024. Hosts Daphne and Heath carefully retrace the timeline of events, unveiling a tragic tale of child abuse, familial neglect, and manipulation. As the case gains national attention, listeners are taken through the disturbing revelations and actions of Maddie’s stepfather, Stefan Stearns, as well as the role of her mother, Jen. The episode is rich in detail, explores the complexity of familial failures, and includes direct quotes and reactions from those involved.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Madeline's Background and Home Life
- Maddie’s Family Dynamics: Maddie lived primarily with her mother, Jen, in a townhouse with several roommates, her on-again, off-again stepfather Stefan, and a part-time child from another relationship. Maddie’s biological father, Tyler, lived out of state (03:08).
- Living Arrangements: Maddie’s “room” was a divider section in the living room, while the adults and part-time child had bedrooms upstairs. This lack of privacy and stability is later discussed as significant (06:17).
2. The Night & Morning Before Disappearance
- On February 25, 2024, Maddie, her grandparents, friends, and Stefan celebrated her 13th birthday without her mother, who had to work (07:30).
- That night, the usual arrangement involved Maddie, Jen, and Stefan sleeping in the same bed—a detail repeatedly questioned by the hosts for its inappropriateness, especially given Maddie’s age (08:58).
- On the morning of February 26, Stefan claims to have dropped Maddie off near her school around 8:40 AM, explaining she liked to be dropped off nearby because she was particular about which car she was seen exiting (11:17, 15:35). Contrary to this story, it's later discovered that none of the housemates ever saw Stefan take Maddie to school (16:56).
3. Maddie’s Disappearance & Early Investigation
- Jen tries to pick up Maddie from school at 4–4:30 PM only to discover she was absent all day. Multiple 911 calls are made by the family—but not by Jen (13:13).
- Police note Jen’s oddly calm, "spacey" demeanor; she later attributes this to medication (15:35).
4. The Search and Scrutiny
- Law enforcement agencies mobilize, searching the community with scent dogs and over 100 personnel. The case quickly draws significant attention (17:32).
- Inside Maddie’s “room,” police find one of her white Crocs near her mom’s bed and her phone left behind—details that cast doubt on the idea that she’d run away. Maddie had never left her phone before (19:36).
- Investigators discover a message on Maddie’s phone about her wanting to "escape to the woods" after turning 13, lending a possible runaway theory but not convincing the detectives (20:01).
- Stefan’s suspicious behavior, especially his “accidental” factory reset of his phone the morning Maddie disappeared, is challenged by both his own father and the hosts (20:59).
5. Stefan’s Odd Behavior and Forensics
- Suspicious Tech Actions: After police take his phone, Stefan tries to access his Google Drive from his parents’ house in the middle of the night—presumably to delete evidence (22:21).
- Quote: “He said he wanted to, ‘get my ducks in a row, kind of prepare myself for whatever was coming.’” (23:31)
- Stefan’s father begins to suspect his son is lying about nearly everything, including the possibility he had something to do with Maddie’s disappearance (23:45).
6. The Horrifying Break in the Case
- Police obtain Stefan’s cleaned phone and Google Drive, discovering over 1,700 images and videos documenting years of sexual abuse and rape of Maddie, dating to when she was just eight years old (31:31-33:11).
- Heath (32:37): “Steffen had saved more than 1,700 images and videos that clearly depicted the rape and ongoing grooming and sexual abuse of Maddie Soto.”
- Daphne (32:39): “Absolutely disgusting.”
- Heath (32:43): “Hang him.”
- Surveillance footage reveals Maddie was “slumped” in the passenger seat—presumably deceased—well after the time she was supposedly dropped near school. Footage also shows Stefan moving her body to the trunk in a parking garage (33:11-36:14).
- Daphne (37:32): “It’s just going to get harder... as time goes on to commit murder because there’s so many damn cameras out there. And thank God.”
- Heath (36:14): “I bet this fucking dumbass thought that he was going to get away with it and didn’t realize that there were security cameras all around.”
7. Recovery and Aftermath
- Maddie’s body is found on March 1, 2024, along Old Hickory Tree Road, after a tip about Stefan swapping out a flat tire (39:56).
- Autopsy reveals strangulation, but much information is withheld due to Maddie’s age.
- The state attorney announces intent to seek the death penalty.
8. Jen’s Role and Public Scrutiny
- Jen admits to police that she feared a "Woody Allen situation" but rationalized her concerns as general distrust rather than something specific to Stefan (41:13-42:00).
- Quote: Jen to detectives: “I’ve always told him that my biggest fear was that this would turn into a Woody Allen situation where the dad grooms the child and the child then turns 18 and ends up running away with him...You can’t do that to me.” (41:49)
- Heath (42:05): “How about, you can’t do that to Madeline?”
- Jen’s lack of action, both before and during the investigation, is heavily criticized—by the hosts and the public. Many listeners and commenters suggest Jen knowingly ignored the abuse (43:42).
9. Patterns and Warnings
- Prior indications of abuse (Maddie’s seeking school counseling, mood improvement when Stefan was absent) are retrospectively viewed as warning signs that were tragically overlooked (47:47).
- Stefan’s minimization and rationalizations are revealed in phone calls from jail, suggesting a twisted view of his relationship with Maddie and blaming her for the abuse (47:36).
10. Legal Resolution
Sentencing:
- Stefan pleads guilty to 20 counts of sexual crimes against a minor but maintains he did not kill Maddie. Originally pleads not guilty, later changes to no contest to avoid the death penalty.
- Statement from Stefan at sentencing (51:29):
- “I agree that it’s not fair that Madeleine is not here anymore. I still have a hard time contemplating a world where she’s not around...I have nothing but sorrow for her loss, and I miss her all the time. Her passing has torn me and my family apart as well...I apologize for all the pain.”
- Heath on Stefan’s statement (52:06): “Shut up, you fucking despicable human being.”
- Stefan is sentenced to 21 concurrent life sentences and waives his rights to appeal (52:11).
11. Family Responses
- Maddie’s biological father shares how she wanted to live with him after turning 13, expressing devastation (52:37).
- Her aunt Letizia at sentencing: “I’m so sorry we found out too late. But despite everything that was happening to you behind closed doors, you still remained one of the happiest human beings I’ve ever met.” (52:37)
- Jen does not attend the sentencing.
12. Remaining Questions & Unresolved Issues
- The autopsy and toxicology remain sealed from the public due to Maddie’s age.
- Speculation about whether Maddie was pregnant, or the use of anesthetics to subdue her, is neither confirmed nor denied, but search histories on Stefan’s devices included anesthetic-related terms (53:42).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Daphne (03:08): “It is just unreal.”
- Heath (07:30): “So there’s really no responsible adult in that house to be there for Maddie.”
- Daphne (32:39): “He is a sick fuck.”
- Heath (36:14): “I bet this fucking dumbass thought that he was going to get away with it and didn’t realize that there were security cameras all around.”
- Jen to detectives (41:49): “I’ve always told him that my biggest fear was that this would turn into a Woody Allen situation... You can’t do that to me.”
- Heath (42:05): “How about, you can’t do that to Madeline?”
- Heath (43:42): “I do not believe she was ignorant to all this. I don’t.”
- Daphne (51:29): “Shut up, you fucking despicable human being.”
- Letizia (Maddie’s Aunt, 52:37): “I’m so sorry we found out too late. But... you still remained one of the happiest human beings I’ve ever met.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:08 | Maddie's background and early home life | | 07:30 | Details about living arrangements and family dynamics | | 09:00 | The night before and morning of Maddie’s disappearance | | 13:13 | Maddie goes missing, first police involvement | | 17:32 | Search efforts intensify | | 19:36 | Discovery of key evidence in the home | | 20:59 | Housemate/Stefan’s phone reset; father’s skepticism | | 22:21 | Stefan’s trip to North Port and Google Drive incident | | 31:31 | Police confront Stefan with evidence of abuse | | 33:11 | Surveillance breakdown—Stefan’s car and Maddie’s final hours | | 39:56 | Maddie’s body recovered, community mourns | | 41:13 | Jen’s statements on her concerns and reactions | | 43:42 | Hosts discuss public/critical scrutiny of Jen’s role | | 47:47 | Warning signs/wider context | | 51:29 | Stefan’s courtroom statement; sentencing | | 52:37 | Family statements at sentencing | | 53:42 | Remaining questions about autopsy/toxicology |
Host Tone and Language
The hosts are passionate, emotional, and outspoken. They openly criticize the failures of the adults in Maddie’s life, especially Jen and Stefan, using strong language to describe the abuse and contrasts their horror at the crime with the inexplicable apathy or denial of those supposed to protect Maddie. Heath’s frequent exclamations and Daphne’s heartfelt empathy underscore the seriousness with which they approach these cases.
Conclusion
This episode is a painstaking and passionate retelling of Madeline Soto's story, underlining how systems and individuals can fail to protect children from predators—especially those hiding in plain sight. The discussion doesn’t shy away from calling out red flags, familial denial, or law enforcement’s role in breaking the case. The episode closes with a strong urge for vigilance in our communities and a somber remembrance of Maddie.
For those who did not or cannot listen, this summary brings forward all critical facts, investigative breakthroughs, and the emotional gravity that marks this devastating true crime story.