Unfortunately, I think it is possible that SS murdered Maddie as soon as she got into his vehicle. Perhaps she had her back turned to put on her seatbelt or to close the car door or had her head down for a moment unawares he attacked with some sort of weapon or means that caused BFT.
IMO, he probably rushed her early that morning and took advantage of her being disoriented and tired as she headed to the car. He probably assumed that like her laptop and other belongings she packed her cell phone in her backpack when he threw it out not realizing that in her groggy state she accidentally left it behind in her bedroom.
I think it is possible that she was killed in her home or possibly the night before but I also imagine that would be some type of forensic evidence at the home. For example, if she was killed the night before in her room LE/investigators would note or find forensic evidence such as bodily fluid released following her death in her bedroom or at the site they believe SS possibly hid her. They may also note certain odors related to decomposition or even cleaning in the home or upon Maddie’s belongings, such as possibly on the dress she wore the night before, her pajamas or bedroom sheets and comforters.
LE sadly describing Maddie as slumped over in the passenger seat also gave me the impression that rigor mortis may not have set in yet. Also why put her in the front passenger seat that morning where she could be seen but later that afternoon hide her across the backseat? I think it is possible Maddie sat herself there before she was horrifically attacked and that SS only moved her when he had the opportunity and realized he would have to keep in his vehicle for longer period of time then he anticipated if he wanted to get away with his terrible crime and keep her from being seen or detected by others.
Additionally, moving a deceased person alone does expend a lot of energy and strength. For him to put her in the passenger seat where she could be seen on a trip leaving the apartment complex and then coming back seems like a mistake and a risk to his alibi or alleged statement considering she could be seen by both cameras and potential witnesses nearby or in the area.
IMO, he planned to killed her that morning with the intent of possibly leaving her remains in the field next to the school or some such site but something he did not expect, perhaps students already in that area or the presence of potential witnesses, altered or changed his plans at the last minute hence movements later that morning and afternoon that don’t make much logical sense.
JMO or speculation and of course I concede there is high probability that there is forensic evidence showing she passed in the house or the night before that hasn’t been made public yet so I could be wrong
At about 4:30pm today, off of Hickory Tree Road, Osceola County Sheriff's Office search teams located the body of Madeline Soto in a wooded area.
www.dailymail.co.uk
New documents obtained by Court TV reveal Jennifer Soto's reaction to seeing photos of her daughter on Stephan Sterns' phone.
www.courttv.com