UPDATE: Police explain details about the murder of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton
UPDATE 7/28/15 5:04 p.m.: The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office is expected to reveal more information on the case surrounding Madyson Middleton Wednesday morning.
NewsChannel 5 will update this story when more information is available.
UPDATE 7/28/15 11:51 a.m.: Santa Cruz Police said a 15-year-old boy has been arrested under suspicion of murdering 8-year-old Madyson Middleton. Police said the boy may have been watching police search the recycle bin where her body was found Monday night.
During a press conference Tuesday morning, police revealed more details about Middleton’s killing. Investigators said Middleton went willingly into the boy’s apartment, after being lured by him. That’s where police said Middleton was killed and was later placed inside a recycle bin next to the Tannery Arts Center apartment complex. She was reported missing just after 6 p.m. Sunday night.
Investigators said the boy was interviewed extensively and they will look through the evidence to see if he may be tried as an adult in court.
Despite efforts to locate Middleton, using local law enforcement, the FBI and K-9 search and rescue units, police said Middleton’s body was concealed in a way that wasn’t readily visible.
UPDATE 7/28/15 9:27 a.m.: A memorial for Madyson Middleton continues to grow Tuesday morning outside the apartment complex where she was found dead Monday evening.
NewsChannel 5 is waiting for more information from Santa Cruz Police in the investigation into her death and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy.
UPDATE 7/27/15 9:55p.m.: Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel says officers have found a body and believe it to be that of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton. The chief is also confirming that an arrest has been made.
The Chief says the body was found in a dumpster inside a garage.
Detectives discovered the body at about 7:55p.m.
Detectives took a 15-year-old boy and he is currently being interviewed at the Santa Cruz Police Department, in this homicide investigation.
Police do not know how she was killed, don’t know if the body was moved to the dumpster. Crews plan to be out for most of the night processing the crime scene.
Madyson’s family has been notified.
In memoriam of Madyson MiddletonUPDATE 7/27/15 9:36p.m.: Police officers are telling NewsChannel 5 crews that a Lieutenant is on the way to release a statement about the crime scene at the Tannery Arts Center. Our reporter on the scene says that neighbors are talking about an an arrest of a teenage boy and that a body has been found. These reports have not been confirmed by police.
CHP Santa Cruz ?is tweeting https://twitter.com/CHPscrz/status/625883429163249665 “Our hearts are broken and our deepest sympathy to the family of Madyson Middleton. We are grieving with the entire Santa Cruz community.”
UPDATE 7/27/15 8:50p.m.: NewsChannel 5 crews are reporting that Police have now created a crime scene at the apartment complex where Maddy Middleton lives.
Crews on scene are reporting that as FBI agents were checking cars coming and going, a loud scream was heard from a woman inside the apartment complex property. Now, several police cars and officers have blocked off the entire Tannery Arts complex with crime scene tape and officers can be seen bringing in evidence bags.
UPDATE 7/27/15 7:38p.m.: FBI teams are searching cars and talking to people leaving and entering the Tannery Arts Center where Maddy was last seen riding her scooter Sunday evening.
Santa Cruz Police say they will continue to search overnight for the 8-year-old. Maddy’s mother told News Channel 5 she will not talk on camera but does have one message for the community saying “Find Maddy.”
UPDATE 7/27/15 4:15p.m.: Santa Cruz Police say they are still looking at every possible lead as to the whereabouts of Madyson Middleton, the 8-year-old who disappeared Sunday evening. Police are re-grouping and putting together a plan for the next 24 hours with the FBI and other crews.
Many people are asking News Channel 5 why this isn’t an Amber Alert. Officials say there are certain criteria that must be met before CHP activates an Amber Alert statewide. The most important detail is a description of a suspect and/or suspect vehicle.
“An amber alert issue would have been one, if they seen her taken in an automobile and that really wasn’t the case at this point. It might lead down the road to an amber alert if we get further details and information about a vehicle,” said PIO Joyce Blaschke.
Overnight interviews Sunday night in Maddy’s neighborhood
UPDATE 7/27/15 12:24p.m.: This is what the Santa Cruz Police Department has released so far:
“The Santa Cruz Police Department is continuing our search and investigation into the disappearance of 8 year old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton. The following developments occurred overnight.
The Santa Cruz Police Department has been in contact with the FBI and they are providing assistance with our investigation. The police department continued to coordinate search efforts with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team. We utilized specially trained K-9’s from the State Office of Emergency Services. These dogs are scent-specific. The dogs searched the San Lorenzo River levee and main beach areas.
Searchers poured over all possible areas in the vicinity of where Madyson went missing, as well as the main beach area. We will search these areas again during daylight hours.
Today’s search will include another full search of the San Lorenzo River waterway and levees, as well as the use of watercraft, aircraft and foot teams.
We are still asking for the public’s help by reporting suspicious activity, calling in possible leads, and keeping alert for sightings of Madyson.
The police department was called to the Tannery Arts Center, 1030 River Street at 6:08 PM, reporting that Madyson was missing. It was reported that Madyson had been at her apartment complex riding her white razor scooter, wearing a purple knee high dress with black leggings, black baseball style helmet, with long dark hair pulled to the side in a braid.
Madyson Middleton is 8 years old, Female, White, 4′-0” tall and 48 lbs.”
UPDATE 7/27/15 10:40a.m.: Santa Cruz Police say crews are still searching for Maddy. Investigators have brought in FBI as well as the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s search and rescue teams including a specialized K-9 unit, water craft, and air craft. The specialized K-9 dogs followed a scent to the beach.
The Police Department is looking in to all leads, detectives have received thousands so far.
Detectives say that Maddy was last scene on the surveillance cameras at the Tannery Arts complex around 5:00p.m. Police say Maddy’s family is fully cooperating with detectives.
Police asking the community to disseminate the flyers and information and to stay vigilant.
UPDATE 7/27/15 8:27a.m.: Word about Madyson Middleton spread quickly on social media Sunday night in to Monday morning, prompting dozens of community members to volunteer at the search site. The Take Back Santa Cruz group on Facebook has been the hub of activity since the girl was first reported missing around 7p.m. by law enforcement.
The Santa Cruz Police Command Post near the Tanney Arts Center is active and crews are searching now. The latest flier shows a surveillance picture of Madyson, investigators believe it was taken near the time she disappeared.
The California Highway Patrol issued an endangered missing advisory for Madyson for the following counties: Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, San Mateo, Alameda, and San Francisco.
NewsChannel 5 has a crew on scene and this story will be updated. As always, if you have any information about her whereabouts or see Madyson, police urge you to call 911 or (831) 471-1170.
PREVIOUS STORY: The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking for help Sunday night to find a missing 8-year-old girl.
Madyson Middleton was last seen riding her white Razor scooter near her apartment complex at 1030 River St. at about 4:15 p.m.
Law enforcement have been searching overnight throughout the area for Middleton. This as people in the community gathered to look for her, after posts about the disappearance went viral online.
She is 4 feet tall, 48 pounds and is wearing a purple knee-high dress with black leggings. She’s also wearing a helmet with her dark hair pulled to the side in a braid, police said.
If you have any information or see her, call 911 or the Santa Cruz Police Department.
