20/20: Bridge of Lies – "The Accomplice" (April 8, 2026)

A gripping episode uncovering the startling confession of an accomplice in the murder of Sarah Stern. Through detailed police interviews, on-site reenactments, and emotional insights from families, this installment unpacks the unraveling of the crime and the dynamics that led to the chilling betrayal of a childhood friend.

Episode Theme

This episode exposes the crucial turning point in the investigation into Sarah Stern’s disappearance: the confession of Preston Taylor, Sarah’s former friend and prom date, who assisted Liam McAtasney in covering up her murder. The narrative follows police operations, the psychological interplay between the accused, and the ramifications for the community and families involved.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Sting and Preston Taylor’s Arrest

• Surveillance and Stakes
  Detectives watch Preston Taylor and Liam McAtasney’s Neptune City home, waiting for an opportune moment to detain Preston after Liam implicates him during an undercover operation.
  (00:42–02:30)

“Brian called me and said, you wouldn't believe what's going on. And I'm like, try me.”
— Detective Nick Catalona (02:30)

2. Preston’s Confession: Money and Motive

• The Interrogation Room
  Preston is quietly cooperative, immediately acknowledging knowledge of Sarah’s killing and confirming, with little emotion, Liam’s motive: money. Detectives prompt for justification, with Preston explaining Liam believed Sarah possessed $50,000 to $150,000.
  (03:06–07:04)

“We know what happened to Sarah. We know what your involvement in it was. We want to talk to you about that...We want to know why it happened.”
— Detective Brian Weisbrot (03:45)

“He killed Sarah. Okay. And we know you know that, right?”
— Detective Brian Weisbrot, as Preston quietly affirms (04:15)

"Money."
— Preston Taylor, to explain the motive (06:35)

• How the Plan Developed
  Liam’s plot to murder Sarah and steal her money began as a “bar conversation” and evolved over a few months.
  (07:10)

“Taking her out and then find somewhere to dispose of the body.”
— Preston Taylor, when asked what Liam planned (07:28)

3. Timeline and Details of the Crime

• Dismal Details and Cover-up
  Preston recounts returning home from construction work to find Liam preparing to dispose of Sarah’s body. He follows Liam’s instructions, moving Sarah’s body from her home to some bushes, and later, with help, disposing of her body off a bridge into the Shark River using walkie talkies to avoid detection.
  (07:59–13:04)

“He was like, dude, I did it.”
— Preston Taylor, on Liam’s admission (07:59)

“I pulled Sarah out of the bathroom and hid her body in some bushes in the yard.”
— Preston Taylor (10:03)

“We used walkie talkies to communicate … Liam thought it was a bad idea to use their phones.”
— Preston Taylor (11:06–12:16)

“Was that hard to do physically, to get her over the bridge?”
— Detective Weisbrot
“No. Two people.”
— Preston Taylor (13:03)

• The Grim Spoils
  The anticipated fortune is only $10,000, old and ragged. Preston receives $3,000 and quickly spends much of it on marijuana.
  (13:41–14:09)

“I spent half of it on some really big sum of weed.”
— Preston Taylor (14:00)

4. Preston’s Mindset & Responsibility

• Lack of Emotion and Remorse
  Investigators press Preston on his emotional state and culpability. He remains detached, more concerned about being caught than about Sarah.
  (15:27–16:44)

“How do you feel about everything that happened to Sarah. Oh, really now?”
— Detective Weisbrot
“I don't really know.”
— Preston Taylor (16:05–16:10)

“I think about what it means for me if any of it did come back to us.”
— Preston Taylor (16:22)

5. Crime Scene Re-enactment

• Preston Walks Police Through the Cover-Up
  That evening, Preston walks investigators through Sarah’s house, demonstrating how he moved her body and pointing out where evidence was hidden. He leads them to the locations where the safes containing the stolen money and Sarah’s belongings were buried.
  (20:57–24:43)

“Preston points to some prickly evergreen bushes by the fence. He explains that when he came back hours later, he waited while Liam got Sarah's safe... Preton says he lifted Sarah up and passed her over to Liam, who then put her in the passenger seat of her car.”
— Narrator (Juju Chang) (22:48–23:20)

“So he walked us down the middle ridge of the four pit, and then he pointed to an area in the northeast corner and. And said, down there is where we buried the safe.”
— Detective Nick Catalona (24:15)

6. Police Build Their Case

• Physical Evidence and Final Moves
  Police match evidence with Preston’s confession: the walkie talkies, the key to the safe, and the old bills matching those from Sarah’s safety deposit box. Both Liam and Preston are arrested.
  (25:48–28:03)

“The keys for his car had a key…It was a key to the safe they had recovered from Sandy hook, the one Preston said he and Liam had put Sarah's money in. Inside, detectives found nearly $10,000 in cash.”
— Narrator (Juju Chang) (27:15)

7. Aftermath and Impact on Families

• Liam’s Mother: Disbelief and Anguish
  Megan McAtasney describes her shock and denial at learning of her son’s arrest and the subsequent search of their home.
  (29:39–31:25)

“I did not believe Liam was capable of killing Sarah Stern, who he loved and adored...I did not believe Liam and is capable of killing anybody.”
— Megan McAtasney (31:25)

• Michael Stern’s Perspective
  Sarah’s father, Michael, reflects on the staggering betrayal and the emotional devastation suffered by his family.
  (32:34–33:50)

“This was the ultimate in betrayal of a friendship. So I look at life differently. I look at people differently now. Nothing is as it was in my life and a lot of other family members, too.”
— Michael Stern (33:50)

8. Plea Deal and Road to Trial

• Preston’s Guilty Plea and Cooperation
  Preston accepts a plea deal—felony murder charge dropped, in exchange for testifying against Liam.
  (34:31–35:19)

• Liam’s Pending Trial
  Liam pleads not guilty, setting up an emotionally charged trial for Sarah’s family and friends, especially with a possible eyewitness for the defense. The body remains missing, leaving lingering uncertainty.
  (35:19–36:00)

“Sociopath, obviously. Evil, definitely. Cruel. Heartless. I don't think there's enough words to describe him. Evil human being.”
— Michael Stern, describing Liam McAtasney (35:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------| | 03:45 | “We know what happened to Sarah. We know what your involvement in it was. We want to talk to you about that.” | Det. Brian Weisbrot | | 04:15 | “He killed Sarah. Okay. And we know you know that, right?” | Det. Brian Weisbrot | | 06:35 | “Money.” | Preston Taylor | | 10:03 | “I pulled Sarah out of the bathroom and hid her body in some bushes in the yard.” | Preston Taylor | | 13:04 | “Was that hard to do physically, to get her over the bridge?” — “No. Two people.” | Det. Weisbrot / Preston Taylor | | 14:00 | “I spent half of it on some really big sum of weed.” | Preston Taylor | | 16:05–16:10 | “How do you feel about everything that happened to Sarah. Oh, really now?” — “I don’t really know.” | Det. Weisbrot / Preston Taylor | | 23:20 | “Liam made the K turn and took off. He made a right and took some rounded back way of getting over to the bridge.” | Preston Taylor | | 24:50 | “It's not something that, you know, you could just easily just come across so you could tell that they meant for nobody to ever find this again.” | Det. Nick Catalona | | 27:15 | “And after we searched his car, the keys for his car had a key... It was a key to the safe they had recovered from Sandy Hook...” | Det. Nick Catalona | | 31:25 | “I did not believe Liam was capable of killing Sarah Stern, who he loved and adored...I did not believe Liam...is capable of killing anybody.” | Megan McAtasney | | 33:50 | “This was the ultimate in betrayal of a friendship. So I look at life differently. I look at people differently now.” | Michael Stern | | 35:43 | “Sociopath, obviously. Evil, definitely. Cruel. Heartless. I don't think there's enough words to describe him. Evil human being.” | Michael Stern |

Timeline of Important Segments

• 02:51 – Preston Taylor detained for questioning
• 04:05 – Preston quickly confesses, implicating Liam for money
• 10:03 – Preston describes moving Sarah’s body
• 12:16–13:12 – Preston details how the body was dumped from the bridge
• 14:00 – Revelations about spending his share of the stolen money
• 16:05–16:44 – Preston reflects on his lack of emotion
• 20:57 – On-site reenactment at Sarah’s house with police
• 24:15–24:59 – Preston leads police to safes; physical evidence found
• 27:15–28:03 – Evidence from Liam’s car; role of the key and old money
• 29:39–31:25 – Liam’s mother recounts family’s shock
• 32:34–33:50 – Michael Stern’s reflections
• 34:31–35:19 – Preston’s plea deal details, pending trial for Liam

Conclusion

This episode delivers a methodical deep dive into the critical unraveling of the Sarah Stern murder investigation—driven by Preston Taylor’s unexpected confession. Through police strategy, exhaustive confession details, site walkthroughs, and the families’ emotional trauma, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how a trusted friend became an accomplice, and how that betrayal shattered lives in a small New Jersey community.

The investigation now looks ahead to the high-stakes trial of Liam McAtasney, with the prosecution relying on Preston’s turn as a state’s witness and Liam’s chilling taped confession.

For further context and next steps in the case, tune in to future episodes of "Bridge of Lies."