Santa Cruz deputies confirm cause of death of 8-year-old Maddy Middleton

SANTA CRUZ, Calif, (KGO) -- The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that 8-year-old Maddy Middleton died from asphyxia and stab wounds to the neck.

Detectives discovered Maddy Middleton's body July 27 inside a recycling bin. Police arrested her neighbor, 15-year-old AJ Gonzalez.

They say he lured her into his family's apartment, where he raped and killed her.

He will be tried as an adult.

A public memorial for Maddy Middleton will take place August 23 at 3 p.m. at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz.

In the meantime, three GoFundMe pages have been set up to help family members. So far, more than $42,000 have been raised.

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Click here for full coverage on the disappearance and death of Maddy Middleton.