Santa Cruz, California, is renowned for its secure, laid-back beach atmosphere. Boasting white sandy beaches and a charming boardwalk, it remains a favoured destination for tourists. It was the peak of summer season in 2015. The city was abuzz with holiday makers, while residential neighbourhoods were filled with children off school for the holidays. On the 25th of July, everything changed, as the entire city’s focus shifted to the search for a missing girl.
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Sources:
Alamdea Times-Star, 27 July, 2015 – “Santa Cruz Girl, 8, Missing”
Associated Press, 27 July, 2015 – “Mother Pleads for Return of Missing California 8 Year Old”
Alameda Times-Star, 28 July, 2015 – “Artist Colony Residents Shocked Teen Boy was Arrested”
CBS – 12 WJTV, 28 July, 2015 – “Missing Santa Cruz Girl was Raped”
CBS – 3 WREG, 28 July, 2015 – “Teen Allegedly Lured 8-Year-Old Girl”
San Francisco Chronicle, 28 June, 2015 – “Grim Find in Search for Santa Cruz Girl”
The Mercury News, 28 July, 2015 – “Police Find the Body of Missing Girl in Santa Cruz”
Alameda Times-Star, 29 July, 2015 – “Disturbing Details”
Associated Press, 29 July, 2015 – “Prosecutors Charged Teen with Murder in Death of 8 Year Old”
Alameda Times-Star, 30 July, 2015 – “Suspect in Maddy Middleton’s Killing Appears in Court”
Associated Press, 31 July, 2015 – “City Mourns as Teen Charged in Killing Appears in Court”
Associated Press, 31 July, 2015 – “Youth Advocates Decry Trying Teen as Adult in Girl’s Death”
Contra Costa Times, 31 July, 2015 – “A Teen’s Turbulent family Life”
Associated Press, 3 August, 2015 – “Mother of Slain 8 Year Old Doesn’t Fault Mom”
Orange County Register, 3 August, 2015 – “Mothers of Slain Santa Cruz Girl, Defendant United by Pain”
Alameda Times-Star, 13 August, 2015 – “Madyson Middleton of Santa Cruz was Strangled”
Associated Press, 21 September, 2015 – “Teen Pleads Not Guilty”
The Mercury News, 21 September, 2015 – “Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Killing 8-Year-Old”
Alameda Times Star, 2 October, 2015 – “Mother of Slain 8-Year-Old Santa Cruz Girl to Start Kids Event”
The Mercury News, 20 January, 2017 – “Madyson Middleton Murder Trial Upended”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 22 June, 2017 – “Madyson Middleton – Family Launches Nonprofit”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 17 August, 2017 – “Middleton Slaying”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 20 August, 2017 – “Murder Trial”
The Mercury News, 23 August, 2017 – “Hearing Begins to Determine if Santa Cruz Teen is Suitable for Adult Court”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 24 August, 2017 – “Day Two – Testimony”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 2 September, 2017 – “Emotional Testimony”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 15 September, 2017 – “Differing Opinions”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 22 September, 2017 – “Adrian Gonzalez’s Behaviours Questioned”
San Francisco Chronicle, 26 September, 2017 – “Accused Killer of Madyson Middleton Could get Freedom in 5 Years”
Santa Cruz Sentinel, 27 September, 2017 – “Testimony Recounts Autopsy of Child”
The Mercury News, 18 October, 2017 – “Santa Cruz Judge to Rule on Adult or Juvenile Trial”
The Mercury News, 24 October, 2017 – “A.J. Gonzalez to Stand Trial”
The Mercury News, 17 September, 2018 – “Santa Cruz Family of Slain 8-Year-Old Critical”
East Bay Times, 17 May, 2019 – “Accused Teen Killer of 8-year-old Santa Cruz Girl to Face Adult Proceedings”
East Bay Times, 14 April, 2021 – “Maddy Middleton’s Killer Pleads Guilty to Murder”
