TIMELINE: New details in investigation into Madyson Middleton’s death

Tragedy has hit the Santa Cruz community. This comes just days after heartbreaking news that the body of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton was found. Now a teenage boy is facing charges for her murder. On Tuesday and Wednesday, police and prosecutors explained the case headed to court to seek justice in her killing.

The community is trying to cope with these devastating developments. Santa Cruz leaders are asking the community to stay strong.

We’re learning more about the 15-year-old boy arrested in this case. Police said her accused killer lived in the same apartment complex at Tannery Arts Center.

On Wednesday, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s office named him as Adrian Jerry Gonzalez. NewsChannel 5 would not normally name a minor involved in a juvenile case. However the District Attorney released Gonzalez’s name Wednesday at a news conference. So we have made the decision to release it as well.

Photos of Adrian Gonzalez, 15, accused of killing 8-year-old Maddy Middleton

On Tuesday, Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel was tight lipped about some crucial details of this case. During a news conference with police, questions were asked but not all were answered. Whether the recycle bin where Middleton’s body was found at the complex had been searched before Monday night? Why the K9 search and rescue dogs hadn’t picked up Middleton’s scent? We do know police said Maddy knew Gonzalez and police said she trusted him.

“It appears that she was lured to the suspect’s apartment willingly. Additionally we determined that Maddy was murdered inside the suspect’s apartment,” Vogel said.

Vogel believes Middleton was killed Sunday before they first received calls that she was missing. Detectives believe Gonzalez carried her body down the stairs of his apartment and hid her in this recycle bin near the parking garage.

“I will merely say that Maddy’s body was concealed in a recycle bin a way that was not obvious or readily apparent,” Vogel said.

Vogel said Gonzalez was nearby when detectives searched those blue bins Monday night.

“Interviewed this individual into the early morning hours and he was subsequently arrested for the murder of Madyson Middleton,” Vogel said.

Riley McShane, a resident at the Tannery Arts Center, said he knows Middleton’s mom and he saw the 8-year-old last week.

“It’s terrible it is really one of the worst imaginable things that can happen in Santa Cruz let alone in a place like the Tannery where everybody is…tries to live a lifestyle more based on community,” McShane said.

Investigators said it was clear Middleton knew Gonzalez.

“She was 8-years-old. She had a reasonable amount of trust in him. We don’t believe that she was taken against her will,” Vogel said.

The entire Santa Cruz community will need each other more than ever as the shock starts to wear off and reality sets in.

“My staff was so hopeful we were going to find her alive. And when the news came last night that she was not alive, it was horrific, it was horrible,” Vogel said.

The chief would not elaborate on what Gonzalez had to say when he was questioned. He is being housed in Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall.

Below is more detailed information on a timeline of Middleton’s murder from the Santa Cruz Police Department:

-8-year old Madyson Middleton reported missing on Sunday 7/26 at 6:08 p.m. from the Tannery Arts Center, 1030 River Street, where she lived.

-Madyson was last seen late Sunday afternoon and was captured on video riding her Razor scooter in the Tannery Arts Center complex.

-SCPD flooded the area with police officers and detectives after receiving the call that Madyson was missing. SCPD began an extensive and exhaustive search of the area where she was last seen, including the surrounding woodland areas, open spaces and the San Lorenzo River Levee in an effort to locate her.

-The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team was called to assist with the search on Sunday evening. We also requested a specially trained search and rescue K-9 unit from the State Office of Emergency Services to support our efforts.

-SCPD staff and allied agencies worked through late Sunday night into Monday morning. Detectives followed up on all leads and continued the search for Madyson in hopes of finding her safe and returning her home.

-SCPD reached out to the FBI on Sunday evening asking for their assistance. Within hours, the FBI sent a team of agents and resources to assist with the search for Madyson. Additional resources were brought in on Monday.

-On Monday, all available SCPD personnel, FBI personnel and Search and Rescue personnel from Santa Cruz County and adjoining counties continued an extensive search throughout the day hoping to find Madyson and returning her home.

-On Monday evening at approximately 7:55 pm, Detectives discovered a body believed to be Madyson Middleton.

-Late afternoon on Monday July 27th, Santa Cruz Police Detectives initiated a more thorough and focused canvass of the Tannery Arts Center complex. The refocusing effort came after police neared the 24 hour mark of Madyson’s disappearance.

-The initial phase of the case concentrated on a search for Madyson and an investigation into her disappearance. As we neared the 24 hour mark, the investigation transitioned into a recovery and forensic effort.

-At approximately 7:55 pm, a Santa Cruz Police detective discovered the body of Madyson Middleton at the bottom of a large dumpster-sized recycle bin on the ground floor of the complex.

-The suspect had gone to great lengths to conceal the body. Madyson’s body was concealed and disguised inside the recycle bin in a way where it was not obvious or readily apparent. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause and manner of death.

-A 15-year old male juvenile was immediately arrested and taken into custody. The suspect was actually standing near the location when Madyson’s body was discovered. The juvenile suspect resides in the Tannery Arts Complex with his family. Detectives interviewed the suspect into the early morning hours. At this point, the suspect is under arrest for the murder of Madyson Middleton.

-Detectives have located evidence that links the suspect to this horrific crime. That evidence includes Madyson’s belongings, witness statements and video evidence.

-We have determined that Madyson was an acquaintance of the suspect by virtue of both residing at the Tannery Arts Center complex. Evidence suggests that Madyson was lured to the suspect’s apartment willingly.

-Additionally, we have determined that Madyson was murdered inside of the suspect’s apartment and eventually carried downstairs to the recycle bin and concealed within the bin. Evidence in the case indicates that Madyson was killed prior to the initial call to police on Sunday July 27th at 6:08 pm.

-We have determined the suspect acted alone and not in concert with anyone else. There is no risk or threat to the community at this point as the suspect is currently in custody at the Santa Cruz County Juvenile Detention Facility.

-Chief Kevin Vogel thanked all of our law enforcement partners who assisted and contributed with personnel and other resources for this investigation. Chief Vogel acknowledged Sheriff Jim Hart and his Search and Rescue Team. The team tirelessly searched miles of trails, woods, waterways and buildings in hopes of finding Madyson. Our thanks includes the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office who also dedicated personnel to the search efforts.