20/20 Podcast: Bridge of Lies – Episode 2: "The Search"

Date: March 18, 2026
Host: ABC News, Juju Chang
Theme: The urgent search for 19-year-old Sarah Stern and the evolving theories around her disappearance from the Jersey Shore – a case with layers of personal relationships, money, and unanswered questions.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the first chaotic days after Sarah Stern goes missing in December 2016, retracing the desperate search efforts, police investigations, and early theories about what happened to her. Featuring firsthand accounts from rescue workers, interviews with friends, family, and detectives, and exclusive audio from police bodycams and interrogation rooms, the episode explores not just the physical search for Sarah, but the competing narratives and critical clues shaping the investigation.

Detailed Breakdown & Key Discussion Points

1. The Initial Search and Emotional Stakes

• Franny Hines, head of Belmar’s first aid squad, receives a call early on December 3, 2016, about someone possibly jumping from the Highway 35 bridge.
  • Quote: “They were requesting our water rescue team and our water assets…” (00:36, Franny Hines)
• As daylight breaks, Franny and his crew—who know the missing person is Sarah Stern, a neighbor—begin an emotional, extensive operation involving boats, divers, and shoreline scans.
  • Quote: “It kind of sent a tingle down my spine. Because Sarah was our neighbor for her entire life.” (03:04, Franny Hines)
• Franny reflects on the personal impact: "This is the first time we were searching for somebody that we knew." (03:26, Franny Hines)

Timestamp Highlights:

• [01:38] Franny points to the yellow hazard sign—believed to be the spot where Sarah went over.
• [04:00] Franny expresses his emotional commitment: “…because it was very personal to me for sure.”

2. Early Police Theories: Family, Friends, and Suicidal Thoughts

• The police home in on Liam McAtasney, Sarah’s longtime friend, as a key witness.
• Liam describes a tense relationship between Sarah and her father, Michael, suggesting she wanted to get away ("She just needs to get out of here."). (07:53, Liam McAtasney)
• Theories discussed:
  • Did Sarah jump from the bridge, devastated by issues at home?
  • Did she run away to start over, possibly in Canada, as Liam claimed she’d considered?
  • Did her online life and interest in YouTube celebrities provide motivation or contacts to aid her disappearance?

Memorable Quotes:

• “She’s obsessed with these YouTubers, and she goes to, like, conventions.” (09:11, Liam)
• Police skepticism about YouTube: "She's talking about making ugly Christmas sweaters with bells on it...Is that what is that? Basically what Sarah's following around. They sit in front of a camera doing a little podcast type of thing of her talking about stupid." (10:46, Officer)
• Liam also mentions possible suicidal tendencies from high school, intensifying the emotional complexity for searchers and police. (11:43)

Timestamp Highlights:

• [06:04–08:13] Liam and police detail Sarah's family life and his role as confidant.
• [09:10–11:05] The police try to understand Sarah’s YouTube world, grappling with its significance.

3. Security Footage, Neighborhood Canvassing, and Dead Ends

• Detective Brian Weisbrot joins the case.
  • Despite hopes for surveillance footage, bridge cameras are revealed to be nonfunctional ([18:49]; “Turns out they hadn’t worked in years.”), pushing investigators to check nearby businesses and homes.
• A neighbor’s camera finally shows Sarah's car driving away around midnight but doesn’t reveal the driver’s identity.
  • Quote: "The fact that that car traveled south piqued our interest because all other times, Sarah's car and Liam's car had traveled north and drove directly past the camera." (21:10, Detective Weisbrot)
• Without concrete visual or physical evidence, police theories remain speculative—was someone avoiding detection?

4. Interviews with Friends and Family Paint Contradictory Pictures

• Preston Taylor, Liam’s best friend and roommate, gives police a timeline mirroring Liam’s account—work, downtime, nothing unusual—and then becomes emotional when asked his opinion on what happened to Sarah.
  • Quote: “He got somewhat emotional…[when asked] what his thoughts were as to what happened with Sarah. Preston said he thinks Sarah jumped.” (27:42, Detective Weisbrot)
• Both Liam and Preston reference supposed family discord and earlier mental health struggles, but other friends and Sarah’s father, Michael, contest this, describing a typical, loving relationship.

Timestamp Highlights:

• [25:01–28:28] Preston’s interview, demeanor, and emotional response.

5. Theories Collide: Runaway or Foul Play?

• Community Search and Contradictory Witnesses
  • Hundreds of volunteers—family, friends, and strangers—participate in large-scale searches. (32:20)
  • News coverage explodes; Sarah’s story starts trending locally and on social media.
• Carly Draper, Sarah’s neighbor and friend, recounts seeing Sarah happy, discussing moving to Canada, and mentioning secret money she’d found in a family safe.
  • "She had found money...that they have in a safe. And she told me not to tell anyone—secret money." (35:40, Carly)
  • Carly strongly dismisses the suicide theory: “Like, if you know you're going to commit suicide, you don't ask someone to hang out with you. And she seemed really happy, like she was happy. She was laughing, smiling, gave me a hug.” (37:44)
• Police learn more people knew about Sarah's newfound cash than she realized, sparking darker theories about robbery or foul play:
  • Quote: "It sounded like more people knew about the money than Sarah intended. Could someone else have been interested in Sarah's money and taken it?" (38:04)

Timestamp Highlights:

• [34:50–36:43] Carly’s last conversation with Sarah and learning she’s missing.
• [38:39] Detective Weisbrot confirms knowledge of the secret money spreading among Sarah’s circle.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Franny Hines (03:04): “It kind of sent a tingle down my spine. Because Sarah was our neighbor for her entire life.”
• Liam McAtasney (07:53): “She’s been telling me how bad her relationship with her father is and how she just needs to get out of here."
• Detective Weisbrot (21:10): "We see Sarah's car backing out of the driveway and traveling south, away from the home and away from the video surveillance camera."
• Carly Draper (35:40): "She had found money...that they have in a safe. And she told me not to tell anyone—secret money."
• Carly Draper (37:44): "She had asked me to hang out that night. Like, if you know you're going to commit suicide, you don't ask someone to hang out with you."
• Detective Weisbrot (38:39): "We had spoken with several of Sarah's either family members or friends who had reported that she had told them that she had found money inside of a home that her dad had owned."

Major Themes & Takeaways

• Family and Friendship Complexity: Divergent accounts raise questions—was Sarah running from family or supported by them? Were friends honest with investigators?
• The Power of Rumor: The knowledge of Sarah’s “secret” money widens the suspect pool and adds a possible motive.
• Evolving Theories: Police move from accident/suicide/runaway to considering that Sarah could have been targeted for her money.
• Small-town Impact: Sarah’s disappearance grips the entire community and draws in neighbors, classmates, and local press.
• The Investigation is Just Beginning: With the discovery of the money, investigators now weigh whether Sarah is missing by choice—or due to foul play.

Key Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Quote | |----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:36 | Franny called to start water search for possible bridge jumper. | | 03:04 | Realization of searching for a neighbor. | | 07:53 | Liam on Sarah’s strained relationship with her father. | | 09:11 | Liam describes Sarah’s YouTube obsession. | | 10:46 | Police express bewilderment about YouTube subculture. | | 11:43 | Liam introduces possible suicidal ideation. | | 18:49 | Police find bridge security cameras inoperable. | | 21:10 | Footage of Sarah’s car leaving south away from usual route. | | 25:01–28:28 | Preston’s calm, detailed police interview—until asked what he thinks happened. | | 32:20 | 250+ volunteers join the search for Sarah. | | 35:40 | Carly details Sarah’s plan to take “secret money” and move to Canada. | | 37:44 | Carly: Sarah seemed happy and making plans, not suicidal. | | 38:39 | Police confirm many people knew about the money. |

Conclusion and Set-up for Next Episode

The episode ends with police chasing new leads involving Sarah's secret stash of money and the possibility of foul play, urging listeners to stay tuned for answers as the investigation broadens.

Teaser: "Could someone else have been interested in Sarah's money and taken it?" (38:04)

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

Bridge of Lies is a production of ABC Audio and 20/20, hosted by Juju Chang.