Disturbing information has emerged in the Madeline Soto murder case as police release interviews with her mother, Jennifer Soto, and details of Maddie’s cause of death.

During Madeline Soto’s autopsy, the medical examiner, Dr. Stephan Giles, raised concerns about her hyoid bone. Dr. Giles noted that the right portion of the bone was not intact, suggesting possible strangulation. The autopsy confirmed that Madeline Soto died from strangulation, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators discovered shocking internet searches on a computer used by Stephan Sterns, including a search for Sevoflurane, a volatile anesthetic used for hypnosis, amnesia, analgesia, akinesia, and autonomic blockade during surgical procedures.

Another released detail revealed that the socks Maddie was wearing were clean, indicating her feet never touched the ground while wearing them. This is significant, as Maddie’s body was found in a wooded area behind a locked fence. Police believe her body was either dropped over the barbed wire fence or carried through the gate before being moved to the location where she was found.

Joining Nancy Grace Today: 

• Bernarda Villalona  – NY Criminal Defense Attorney & Former Prosecutor, Villalona Law, PLLC.: @BernardaVillalona (FaceBook, Instagram, LinkdIn, TikTok, Threads); X: @VillalonaLaw
• Caryn L. Stark – Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych/FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice
• Alli Neal – Co-Founder, Executive Director, Revved Up Kids (fighting to protect kids from sexual abuse and exploitation); Twitter: @RevvedUpKids
• Dr. Priya Banerjee – Board Certified Forensic Pathologist, Anchor Forensic Pathology Consulting; Twitter: @Autopsy_MD
• Shannon Butler  - Investigative Reporter at WFTV-9