Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell said Wednesday, July 29, the teen is facing a charge of murder with special circumstances including kidnapping and sex offense. Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel has said Gonzallez knew Maddy, lured her into his apartment and killed her Sunday afternoon. MORE: Santa Cruz community mourning loss of 8-year-old girlIt appears Maddy willingly accompanied the suspect to his unit and had a reasonable amount of trust in him.
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The charges could send Gonzalez to prison for life.
Madyson Middleton went missing Sunday after playing in a courtyard at the complex, that includes 100 affordable loft apartments for artists and their families, where she lived with her mother. Also this morning, investigators say they charged another 16-year-old but have not released that person’s name. “You share the joys of people, their children growing up”.
Adrian Jerry Gonzalez will be arraigned Friday in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, four days after 8-year-old Maddy’s body was found in a dumpster at the apartment complex where both lived. Local, county, state and federal law enforcement as well as community volunteers – including some homeless people – combed the complex, the surrounding woods and the San Lorenzo River area all Sunday night and Monday.
In deciding whether to charge Gonzalez as an adult, prosecutors looked at his age, his criminal record, the nature of the crime and how the offense was committed, Rosell said. If he’s convicted, he’ll face life in prison.
Nelson said he’s known Gonzalez for several years and described him as shy, though they often chatted.
Residents were heartbroken to learn he is suspected in the killing, he said. “It was someone we all knew and liked”.
Setorro Garcia, a Tannery resident who knew both the victim and suspect, said Gonzalez had been curious about the investigation. “We are stunned and deeply saddened in the wake of the tragic news about Maddy Middleton”, Munro said in a statement on the district’s website.
After Katie heard what happened to A.J., she went through her old messages with him and found one that said “I’ll be gone eventually” and another that said “something big will happen in high school”. “She had a great sense of humor”.
She had a little black dog named Lucy.
A memorial has been set up in Madyson’s honor, overflowing with dozens of bouquets, stuffed animals, balloons, candles and notes.
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“It was nice how you were so perky”, wrote one.
