What Happened to Sarah Stern? Who was Sarah Stern? Who Killed Sarah Stern?

Sarah Stern, a 19-year-old resident of Neptune City, New Jersey, had strong ties to her community. She graduated from the local high school and pursued her interest in arts and TV production at Brookdale Community College. On December 2, 2016, Sarah mysteriously disappeared. The last known sighting of her was at her home on that

What happened to Sarah Stern? We look at the investigation that followed her disappearance, and the conviction of Liam McAtasney, the individual responsible for Sarah Stern's murder.

Who was Sarah Stern?

Sarah Stern, a 19-year-old resident of Neptune City, New Jersey, had strong ties to her community. She graduated from the local high school and pursued her interest in arts and TV production at Brookdale Community College. On December 2, 2016, Sarah mysteriously disappeared. The last known sighting of her was at her home on that Friday afternoon. The following morning, her abandoned car was discovered on a nearby bridge, raising concerns about her well-being.

Sarah's father, Michael Stern, expressed his deep worry to the NJ Advance, stating that her disappearance was completely out of character. He mentioned that everyone who had spoken to Sarah in the days leading up to her disappearance found her to be perfectly fine, which only added to the mystery surrounding her vanishing.

The family and the community were greatly concerned for Sarah's safety. Her father voiced their collective anxiety, emphasizing her good nature and friendly demeanor. He also shared their confusion, as there were no clear indications or answers regarding the events of that fateful Friday night. The family was desperately seeking any information or leads that could shed light on Sarah's whereabouts.

Despite efforts to uncover new leads, the investigation faced many unanswered questions, leaving the family at a loss. They pleaded with anyone who might have witnessed or known something to come forward and provide crucial information. Michael Stern's heartfelt plea was directed towards Sarah, urging her to contact them and return home. The case of Sarah Stern's disappearance remained a mystery, leaving her family, friends, and the community anxiously awaiting any news that could bring her back home.

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What Happened to Sarah Stern?

In a decision made on Friday in the Sarah Stern murder case, an appellate court has upheld the conviction and life prison sentence of Liam McAtasney, a man from Neptune City. McAtasney unwittingly confessed on a secretly recorded video to strangling his childhood friend and disposing of her body off a bridge during a robbery that yielded $10,000.

This case, widely publicized as one of the most high-profile murder cases in Monmouth County in recent memory, faced an evaluation from a three-judge panel within the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. The panel dismissed McAtasney's arguments for a new trial, including his claim that the jury should not have been allowed to watch his chilling videotaped confession.

According to Curry, McAtasney confessed his plan to strangle Stern to death and steal a large sum of money she had recently acquired. McAtasney allegedly shared that he and Taylor intended to dispose of Stern's body by throwing it off the bridge and leaving her car behind to make it appear as if she had taken her own life. Defense attorney Carlos Diaz-Cobo attempted to dismiss this as an attempt to impress the filmmaker with a potential movie plot. Curry informed the police that he did not take the conversation seriously until Stern went missing.

Liam Mcatasney Now

McAtasney, who is currently 25 years old, is serving a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. This is the most severe punishment in New Jersey since the state abolished the death penalty in 2007.

His former roommate and accomplice, Preston Taylor, also 25 years old, received an 18-year prison term after confessing his involvement in the conspiracy to rob Sarah Stern, who had been his date for the Neptune High School junior prom. Taylor admitted to assisting in disposing of Stern's body by throwing it off a bridge.

Liam McAtasney, charged with the murder of his former high school classmate Sarah Stern, listened to the closing arguments of his defense attorney, Carlos Diaz-Cobo, during the trial held before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, NJ on Friday, February 22, 2019.

Stern, a talented young artist from Neptune City, went missing on December 2, 2016. This sparked extensive searches on land and at sea after her car was found abandoned that morning on the Route 35 bridge between Belmar and Neptune.

The disappearance remained a mystery until January 2017 when a former classmate of McAtasney, horror filmmaker Anthony Curry, came forward to the authorities. Curry revealed details of a conversation he had with McAtasney on Thanksgiving 2016.

Who Killed Sarah Stern?

Liam McAtasney killed Sarah Stern. In a momentous ruling, delivered, the appellate court affirmed the conviction and life prison sentence of Liam McAtasney in the Sarah Stern murder case. Hailing from Neptune City, McAtasney unwittingly disclosed his involvement in the heinous act on a covertly recorded video. The chilling footage captured his admission of strangling his childhood friend and callously discarding her lifeless body off a bridge, all in the pursuit of a robbery that yielded a staggering $10,000.

This particular murder case stands out as one of the most widely publicized incidents in recent times within Monmouth County. A distinguished three-judge panel, belonging to the esteemed Appellate Division of Superior Court, meticulously assessed McAtasney's pleas for a new trial. Among his arguments, he contended that the jury should have been prevented from viewing the profoundly unsettling videotaped confession.

However, the panel, well-versed in matters of justice, resolutely dismissed McAtasney's claims, reinforcing the validity of his conviction and the subsequent life imprisonment sentence. The court's decision signifies a resounding denial of the defendant's bid for a retrial, solidifying the gravity of his actions and ensuring that justice is served in this high-profile case.

Sarah Stern Documentary Netflix

The television program highlighting Sarah's case, which was aired on 20/20, is called "With Friends Like These." The initial broadcast of "Friends Like These" took place on March 1, 2019, and it is set to be re-aired on September 2, 2022. Those interested in true crime can tune in to the program at 9 pm EST on ABC on that particular Friday.

Upon the discovery of a 19-year-old woman's vehicle abandoned on a bridge in New Jersey, a breakthrough occurs when a fellow classmate steps forward with crucial information that aids authorities in unraveling the mystery surrounding the incident. With the assistance of this invaluable tip, investigators embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind what transpired, piecing together the sequence of events and shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the young woman's car and her subsequent disappearance.

Sarah Stern Parents

Michael Stern and Carla are the parents of victim Sarah Stern. Sarah's murder took place while Sarah Stern's father was away on vacation in Florida. Liam McAtasney, in a recorded conversation, expressed his frustration to Curry about the money he killed Stern for, which she had discovered in a shoebox at her family's property in Avon. McAtasney explained that the bills were in such poor condition that he couldn't use or deposit them, so he buried the cash at Sandy Hook, which investigators later located based on information provided by Taylor.

According to McAtasney's account, after killing Stern, he went to work at a local restaurant and returned to her house later that night with Taylor to dispose of her body. He revealed that he placed Stern's body in the passenger seat of her car and drove it to the bridge, with Taylor following in a separate vehicle referred to as the "escape car." At the bridge, McAtasney admitted needing Taylor's assistance in throwing Stern's body over.

However, McAtasney lamented on the recorded video that they were unsuccessful in their attempt to dispose of the body as it never resurfaced. In his appeal, McAtasney argued against the admissibility of the recorded confession, but the appellate court rejected this claim, stating that he voluntarily described the killing to Curry during their meeting.

McAtasney also alleged prosecutorial errors during the trial, including claims that Taylor was a credible witness. However, the appellate judges dismissed these arguments, stating that prosecutors were justified in responding to the defense's summation, which repeatedly questioned Taylor's credibility.

Taylor, who testified against his former roommate as part of a plea agreement, provided details about the plot to rob and murder Stern, which was devised months prior after McAtasney learned about the cash. Taylor's prison sentence was upheld on appeal.

Superior Court Judge Richard W. English, who presided over the trial, sentenced McAtasney to life in prison for the murder and an additional 10-year term for disposing of Stern's body. McAtasney is currently serving his sentence at New Jersey State Prison, while Taylor is held at the Mid-State Correctional Facility.

McAtasney's case marked only the second time in Monmouth County's history that a murder trial proceeded without a body. The first instance occurred in 1975 with the conviction of suspected serial killer Robert Zarinsky for the murder of Rosemary Calandriello.



What Happened to Sarah Stern? - FAQ

1. Who was Sarah Stern?

Sarah Stern was a 19-year-old resident of Neptune City, New Jersey, who had strong ties to her community. She was a graduate of the local high school and pursued her interest in arts and TV production at Brookdale Community College.

2. What happened to Sarah Stern?

Sarah Stern mysteriously disappeared on December 2, 2016. The last known sighting of her was at her home on that Friday afternoon. The following morning, her abandoned car was found on a nearby bridge, raising concerns about her well-being. Despite extensive searches and investigations, the circumstances of her disappearance remained a mystery.

3. Who killed Sarah Stern?

Liam McAtasney, a childhood friend of Sarah Stern, was responsible for her murder. He confessed on a secretly recorded video to strangling her and disposing of her body off a bridge during a robbery. His motive was to steal a large sum of money she had recently acquired. McAtasney is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

4. What was the outcome of the trial?  

Liam McAtasney's conviction and life prison sentence were upheld by an appellate court. His appeal for a new trial was dismissed, including his argument against the admissibility of the recorded confession. Preston Taylor, McAtasney's former roommate and accomplice, received an 18-year prison term for his involvement in the conspiracy to rob Sarah Stern and dispose of her body.

5. Where are Liam McAtasney and Preston Taylor now?  

Liam McAtasney, currently 25 years old, is serving his life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. Preston Taylor, also 25 years old, is serving his 18-year prison term. McAtasney is incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, while Taylor is held at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Wrightstown.

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