Investigators searching for answers in the disappearance of Kayla Stone have successfully recovered a series of deleted voice notes from her phone — and one of them, sources confirm, contains a name that has left detectives stunned.
Digital forensic teams at the state crime lab spent nearly two weeks decoding the encrypted audio files. According to an internal report, one recovered note was recorded less than two hours before Kayla vanished, and appears to capture her speaking nervously to someone she knew well.
“The tone of her voice changes halfway through,” said one official familiar with the analysis. “Then she says a name — and that’s when everyone in the room went quiet.”
Authorities have not released the identity mentioned in the file but described it as “an individual not previously connected to the investigation.” The revelation has prompted a renewed search for anyone who may have interacted with Kayla that night.
“This isn’t a random message,” another investigator said. “It sounds like she was trying to warn someone — or about someone.”
Family members were informed of the discovery late Tuesday and are cooperating closely with detectives. Meanwhile, experts continue to analyze the phone’s data for location tags and timestamps that might pinpoint her final movements.
Law enforcement officials have promised a full briefing once the forensic audio results are confirmed.
“We’ve had breakthroughs before,” said Captain Elise Warren, “but this one changes the entire story.”