This is Hidden Killers with Tony Bruske.

Here now, Tony Bruske.

Welcome back as we continue to dig into the jailhouse calls of Stefan Stearns.

And his parents, Stefan, of course, charged with the murder of Madeline Soto and also child

exploitation for many, many, many years of sexual abuse.

Of the girl that he was interested to look after from his girlfriend, Jen Soto.

She's a whole other ball of wrong.

In this next call, it opens with rage, not from Stefan, but from his parents.

They're starting to react to online chatter, allegations, rumors, and what they perceive as

betrayals from people they once trusted.

The idea that former friends are coming forward with disturbing claims sends his father into

defensive mode.

But Stefan, he's focused more on reputation management than truth.

As all narcissists are, it's all about controlling the narrative,

and he's trying his damnedest with the last two people on Earth that may give a crap about him.

His calmness here is striking, almost calculated.

Listen closely to how his parents try to protect him from the narrative that's building online.

Ask yourself whether that protection is also about protecting themselves from a much darker truth.

While you're listening, let me know what you think in the comments.

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