The body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto was found in the woods near where she disappeared, four days after she was reported missing.
Osceola County Sheriff's Office search teams found her Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
The grim discovery came hours after police announced that Madeline's mother's boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, 37, was the “prime suspect” in her murder.
Sterns was seen driving his silver 2010 Lincoln MK with the teen's lifeless body still in the vehicle after she threw her backpack and laptop in the trash.
Soto was reported missing in Orlando, Florida, on Monday evening after she was last seen that morning near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane.
Sterns is now in prison after being arrested on child pornography and sexual assault charges. He has not been charged in connection with the girl's murder.
Madeline Soto, 13, was reported missing in Orlando, Florida, Monday evening after she was last seen that morning near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane
Video evidence shows Stephan Sterns disposing of items in a dumpster at the family's Kissimmee apartment complex at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, February 26th
Orange County Sheriff John Mina and Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland announce during a press conference at OCSO headquarters in Orlando that their investigation has led them to believe that 13-year-old Madeline Soto was killed by prime suspect Stephan Sterns was killed
A missing persons flyer for 13-year-old Madeline Soto and prime suspect Stephan Sterns (far right) displayed at an Orange County Sheriff's Department press conference on Friday
Sterns has not been charged in connection with the girl's disappearance, but is the “prime suspect” and was arrested on other charges
On Friday afternoon, the Orange County Sheriff's Office held a news conference in which it said it was “confident” the girl was dead.
Sheriff John Mina broke the “devastating news” to Madeline’s mother, Jenn, on Thursday evening.
“We believe he moved her body in those early morning hours and all of that remains under investigation,” Sheriff Mina said.
“The searches are ongoing at the moment and we have people working non-stop. “So we will follow up on every tip that comes in, every piece of evidence that we get and if that leads us into a new search area, we will all weekend be outside,” Mina said.
Surveillance footage seen by police shows Sterns throwing items into a dumpster at a Kissimmee apartment complex at 7:45 a.m. Monday morning.
The items were later recovered and were found to be Madeline Soto's backpack and school-issued laptop.
Sterns was then captured on video a second time returning to his neighborhood with Madeline's body allegedly visible.
Police believe the teen was never dropped off at Hunter's Creek Middle School Monday morning because he was killed hours earlier in Kissimmee.
Police said investigators discovered “disturbing images” when they searched Sterns' phone, along with evidence that he attempted to delete evidence of the relevant material.
After his arrest, Sterns invoked his right to an attorney and refused to speak during his interview.
According to investigators, he was also the last person to see the girl.
Madeline Soto, 13, was reported missing in Orlando, Florida, Monday evening after she was last seen that morning near Town Loop Boulevard and Hunter's Park Lane
During Friday's press conference, Mina also revealed how authorities are currently working to find and recover Madeline's body
Mother Jennifer Soto is pictured next to her 13-year-old daughter Maddie
On Friday morning, Sterns was transferred from the Orange County Jail to Osceola County
The Orange County Sheriff's Office is “confident” that Madeline Soto, a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier this week, is dead.
On Friday morning, Sterns was transferred from the Orange County Jail to Osceola County.
During Friday's press conference, Mina also revealed how authorities are currently working to find and recover Madeline's body.
Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez, released a statement after Madeline's death:
“I am heartbroken to hear from the Orange County Sheriff's Office of the tragic death of our precious student Madeline Soto.” My thoughts and prayers go out to Maddie's family and her school community.
“Losing a child so suddenly and tragically is extremely difficult, especially for family and friends.” Counselors remain available to all students and staff dealing with the news. I ask that you keep the entire Hunter’s Creek Middle School community in your prayers as they mourn the loss of one of their classmates.”
Stephan Sterns, 37, Madeline's mother's boyfriend, was arrested Wednesday on child pornography charges
The search for Madeline began after her mother told Fox 35 that her daughter didn't make it to school Monday morning.
“I went to pick her up after school, but she wasn't there,” she said before her boyfriend's arrest.
“I drove around and didn't see anything. “I drove back to school, the school was closed.”
“I emailed one of her teachers and she confirmed that she had been absent all day. “At that point I called 911 because I realized something was really wrong.”
Jenn spoke while Sterns sat quietly behind her, occasionally looking at the camera.
In another interview, the mother said surveillance footage showed her daughter in the parking lot of Peace United Methodist Church after being dropped off at school that morning.
Jenn also noted that Madeline had left her cell phone at home the morning she was last seen.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said the girl's phone has since been checked by police and information suggests she told people she “wanted to live in the woods” when she was 13.
Madeline's mother, Jenn Soto, is seen speaking to the camera while Sterns sits quietly behind her, occasionally looking into the camera
Police found messages on Madeline's phone saying she wanted to “live in the woods” when she was 13. In one picture the girl can be seen with her mother Jenn and her boyfriend Sterns
Madeline's birthday was February 22nd, four days before she was last seen.
Authorities enlisted the help of K9s, search teams and a piece of Madeline's clothing to locate her scent.
Missing posters were also posted around the city and on social media and in a Facebook group called “Madeline Soto Strong – Official support Group & Updates.”
A GoFundMe page has also been created to raise funds to help find Madeline.
As of Friday, more than $2,200 has been raised, which will be used to share information about Madeline on social media, billboards and printed flyers.
The page also states that the money will be used to “support the family during this difficult time with unforeseen costs.”
Andrea, who said she was her mother's best friend, said: “I have watched Maddie grow into the beautiful young lady that she has become. “She loves crafts, playing video games and playing volleyball.”
“She is a good child who is loved beyond measure and we just want her to be safe at home with her family where she belongs.”
The young girl was last seen wearing a green jacket, black shorts and white Crocs. She has two distinct birthmarks on her face – one on the left side of her nose and one on the right side of her chin.
Missing posters were also posted around the city and on social media and in a Facebook group called Madeline Soto Strong – Official support Group & Updates
Authorities enlisted the help of K9s, search teams and a piece of Madeline's clothing to locate her scent. In the picture: A search party is looking for the girl
The young girl was last seen wearing a green jacket, black shorts and white Crocs. She has two distinct birthmarks on her face – one on the left side of her nose and one on the right side of her chin
The girl's aunt, Leticia Nunez, said she did not believe Madeleine “would have been picked up and run away without a trace of anything.”
“I’m trying to believe she’s still alive out there.”
Tatiana Wallace, Madeline's stepmother, also commented on the young girl's disappearance and Sterns' recent arrest.
“My stepdaughter Madeline has been missing for more than 72 hours. With Stephan Sterns behind bars, we can focus on finding her. “Share your photo with everyone you know,” she said.
Jenn has also posted online about her daughter's disappearance, but has not commented on her boyfriend's arrest.
“I'm trying to hope for the best, but I'm scared for her. “I want her to be okay, I want her to be safe… I don't want her to come back hurt. “I just want her back – whatever that means, I just want her back,” the mother said.
Early Thursday morning, the mother posted her daughter's missing flyer on Facebook and said: 'Please share! Please bring Maddie home!'