Podcast Summary: Bridge of Lies – "Box of Money"

Produced by: ABC News / 20/20
Host: Juju Chang
Episode Release Date: March 24, 2026
Episode Number: 3 of 6
Main Theme:
The episode delves into the investigation of 19-year-old Sarah Stern’s mysterious disappearance on the Jersey Shore. At its core is the discovery of a secret cache of old cash, providing investigators with new leads and exposing relationships and motives among Sarah’s close friends.

Episode Overview

"Box of Money" explores the deepening investigation into Sarah Stern’s disappearance and the shifting focus from theories of suicide or voluntary flight to possible foul play. The break comes when the discovery of large sums of old cash, found by Sarah prior to her disappearance, suggests money may have been a motive. The episode centers on evolving suspicions, untrustworthy statements from those closest to Sarah, and insights from law enforcement and reporters as the case turns a crucial corner.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sarah’s Family Background and the Avon by the Sea House

[01:07 – 02:26]

Sarah’s family once owned a home in Avon by the Sea, which was mostly used for storage after the passing of her mother.
The house was cluttered and uninhabitable, filled with business leftovers from the Sterns’ bookstore.

Notable Quote:

"The house didn't have any power...the cobwebs were all attacked in the areas of entry." – Detective Nick Catalona [01:47]

2. The Discovery of the Hidden Cash

[02:26 – 03:34, 09:45 – 11:39]

Sarah’s aunt recounted Sarah finding cash—she counted $10,000, but believed there could be as much as $20,000—in an old box of family photos.
The origin and intended use of the money remain a mystery.

Notable Quote:

"My grandmother used to keep money in the freezer...People do things differently. Why she had a little stash of money, who knows?" – Detective Nick Catalona [03:17]

3. Initial Theories: Suicide or Runaway

[04:32 – 07:03]

Early theories explored by authorities included suicide (jumping from the bridge) or Sarah running away to Canada.
Family and friends adamantly doubted suicide, citing Sarah’s bright spirit and future plans.
Sarah left all her possessions and even her passport behind, which made the runaway theory less plausible.

Notable Quote:

"There was regular activity on her debit card, but then pretty much stopped the day that she went missing and hasn't been any activity since." – Detective Nick Catalona [07:47]

4. Bank Activity and the Safety Deposit Box

[08:02 – 13:16]

Investigators discover Sarah opened a safety deposit box at Kearney Bank in September 2016, accessing it three times (September, November, December—the last day she was seen).
The small gold key found in her car fit the box.
The box contained $25,250 in old, deteriorating bills.

Notable Quote:

"My first thought was, wow, this is a lot of money." – Detective Catalona [10:18]
"If she was going to leave, she certainly would have taken her money with her." – Detective Brian Weisbrot [13:16]

5. Who Knew About the Money?

[13:26 – 14:16]

Few people were aware: Sarah’s aunt, some friends (Carly, Liam), not her father Michael.
The timeline and secrecy around the cash grow important as the investigation turns.

6. Rising Suspicion of Liam McAtasney

[14:16 – 29:31]

Friend Liam, who spent the afternoon with Sarah the day she vanished, failed to disclose their stop at the bank in initial police interviews.
Interviews with Liam reveal calm, calculated responses, but he volunteers details about the possibility of Sarah committing suicide—raising red flags for detectives.

Notable Moment:

"I found the question very odd. I would have expected him to ask us questions like, what are we doing to find her... Liam didn't ask any of those questions." – Detective Brian Weisbrot [21:50]

• The Interview Breakdown [17:32 – 28:34]

Liam’s story about the day: moving bins, Taco Bell, playing video games, then heading to work—he leaves out the bank, then eventually admits he waited in the car.
Claims Sarah may have found up to $100,000; insists he didn’t see the cash.
Detectives are troubled by Liam’s omission and lack of curiosity about Sarah’s bank visit.

7. Changing Theories and Cold Trail

[28:34 – 31:17]

As the weeks pass, a new third theory emerges: Sarah may have been targeted for her newfound money.
Lack of solid evidence keeps the investigation from moving forward, and hope fades for her father, Michael Stern.

8. The Breakthrough Tip

[31:17 – End]

A critical tip comes from within Sarah’s own community, involving a friend group and leading to a risky undercover sting.
This is teased as the catalyst for breaking open the case, setting up the events for the next episode.

Notable Quote:

"Police start to believe that something violent happened to Sarah. But one of the biggest questions is why? When investigators find out about the sum of money that Sarah came into, they start to think that this could be a possible motive." – Reporter Jessica Easthope [28:48]

Key Timestamps for Critical Segments

Sarah’s family background / Avon house: 01:07–02:26
Discovery of hidden cash: 02:26–03:34, 09:45–11:39
Friends and family reject suicide theory: 04:32–05:22
Review of Sarah’s bank activity: 07:03–08:02
Safety deposit box search and findings: 09:45–11:39
Interviews with Liam – growing suspicion: 17:32–28:34
Detectives question motives, cold case: 28:34–31:17
Breakthrough tip / undercover operation teaser: 31:17–End

Notable Quotes

"Why she had a little stash of money, who knows?" – Detective Catalona [03:17]
"Sarah's family and her close friends...described her as being her happy, go, lucky self, that she was in good spirits, that she had goals and she had plans, and that she had things that she wanted to accomplish in life." – Detective Brian Weisbrot [04:32]
"My first thought was, wow, this is a lot of money." – Detective Catalona [10:18]
"If she was going to leave, she certainly would have taken her money with her." – Detective Weisbrot [13:16]
"I found the question very odd. I would have expected him to ask us questions like, what are we doing to find her..." – Detective Weisbrot [21:50]
"Police start to believe that something violent happened to Sarah." – Reporter Jessica Easthope [28:48]

Memorable Moments

The search of the Avon by the Sea house, with vivid descriptions of its state and how Sarah stumbled on the cash.
The unveiling of the bank’s safety deposit box, Sarah’s key being the perfect match, and the surprising discovery of over $25,000 in old, brittle bills.
The off-kilter interview with Liam, who not only fails to bring up the bank trip but speculates about Sarah’s body being lost to the ocean, unnerving detectives.
The emotional desperation of Sarah’s father, Michael Stern, as weeks pass with no answers.
The episode’s close, spotlighting an undercover sting that promises to finally unravel the case.

Tone & Style

The reporting maintains a sober, investigative tone, punctuated by the emotional gravity of Sarah’s disappearance and the perplexity facing police.
Dialogue and narration emphasize the strangeness and sadness of the circumstances, the suspicions aroused by friends’ shifting stories, and the doggedness of the investigative team.

Conclusion

"Box of Money" takes listeners deep inside the police work that shifted Sarah Stern’s case from a missing person to possible homicide. As money becomes a key investigative thread, relationships among Sarah’s peers come under the microscope, setting the stage for a dramatic sting operation in future episodes. The episode masterfully blends forensic detail, personal testimony, and procedural insight, keeping listeners on edge as the truth slowly comes into focus.

Podcast Summary: Bridge of Lies – "Box of Money"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sarah’s Family Background and the Avon by the Sea House

[01:07 – 02:26]

Sarah’s family once owned a home in Avon by the Sea, which was mostly used for storage after the passing of her mother.
The house was cluttered and uninhabitable, filled with business leftovers from the Sterns’ bookstore.

Notable Quote:

"The house didn't have any power...the cobwebs were all attacked in the areas of entry." – Detective Nick Catalona [01:47]

2. The Discovery of the Hidden Cash

[02:26 – 03:34, 09:45 – 11:39]

Sarah’s aunt recounted Sarah finding cash—she counted $10,000, but believed there could be as much as $20,000—in an old box of family photos.
The origin and intended use of the money remain a mystery.

Notable Quote:

"My grandmother used to keep money in the freezer...People do things differently. Why she had a little stash of money, who knows?" – Detective Nick Catalona [03:17]

3. Initial Theories: Suicide or Runaway

[04:32 – 07:03]

Early theories explored by authorities included suicide (jumping from the bridge) or Sarah running away to Canada.
Family and friends adamantly doubted suicide, citing Sarah’s bright spirit and future plans.
Sarah left all her possessions and even her passport behind, which made the runaway theory less plausible.

Notable Quote:

"There was regular activity on her debit card, but then pretty much stopped the day that she went missing and hasn't been any activity since." – Detective Nick Catalona [07:47]

4. Bank Activity and the Safety Deposit Box

[08:02 – 13:16]

Investigators discover Sarah opened a safety deposit box at Kearney Bank in September 2016, accessing it three times (September, November, December—the last day she was seen).
The small gold key found in her car fit the box.
The box contained $25,250 in old, deteriorating bills.

Notable Quote:

"My first thought was, wow, this is a lot of money." – Detective Catalona [10:18]
"If she was going to leave, she certainly would have taken her money with her." – Detective Brian Weisbrot [13:16]

5. Who Knew About the Money?

[13:26 – 14:16]

Few people were aware: Sarah’s aunt, some friends (Carly, Liam), not her father Michael.
The timeline and secrecy around the cash grow important as the investigation turns.

6. Rising Suspicion of Liam McAtasney

[14:16 – 29:31]

Friend Liam, who spent the afternoon with Sarah the day she vanished, failed to disclose their stop at the bank in initial police interviews.
Interviews with Liam reveal calm, calculated responses, but he volunteers details about the possibility of Sarah committing suicide—raising red flags for detectives.

Notable Moment:

"I found the question very odd. I would have expected him to ask us questions like, what are we doing to find her... Liam didn't ask any of those questions." – Detective Brian Weisbrot [21:50]

• The Interview Breakdown [17:32 – 28:34]

Liam’s story about the day: moving bins, Taco Bell, playing video games, then heading to work—he leaves out the bank, then eventually admits he waited in the car.
Claims Sarah may have found up to $100,000; insists he didn’t see the cash.
Detectives are troubled by Liam’s omission and lack of curiosity about Sarah’s bank visit.

7. Changing Theories and Cold Trail

[28:34 – 31:17]

As the weeks pass, a new third theory emerges: Sarah may have been targeted for her newfound money.
Lack of solid evidence keeps the investigation from moving forward, and hope fades for her father, Michael Stern.

8. The Breakthrough Tip

[31:17 – End]

A critical tip comes from within Sarah’s own community, involving a friend group and leading to a risky undercover sting.
This is teased as the catalyst for breaking open the case, setting up the events for the next episode.

Notable Quote:

"Police start to believe that something violent happened to Sarah. But one of the biggest questions is why? When investigators find out about the sum of money that Sarah came into, they start to think that this could be a possible motive." – Reporter Jessica Easthope [28:48]

Key Timestamps for Critical Segments

Sarah’s family background / Avon house: 01:07–02:26
Discovery of hidden cash: 02:26–03:34, 09:45–11:39
Friends and family reject suicide theory: 04:32–05:22
Review of Sarah’s bank activity: 07:03–08:02
Safety deposit box search and findings: 09:45–11:39
Interviews with Liam – growing suspicion: 17:32–28:34
Detectives question motives, cold case: 28:34–31:17
Breakthrough tip / undercover operation teaser: 31:17–End

Notable Quotes

"Why she had a little stash of money, who knows?" – Detective Catalona [03:17]
"Sarah's family and her close friends...described her as being her happy, go, lucky self, that she was in good spirits, that she had goals and she had plans, and that she had things that she wanted to accomplish in life." – Detective Brian Weisbrot [04:32]
"My first thought was, wow, this is a lot of money." – Detective Catalona [10:18]
"If she was going to leave, she certainly would have taken her money with her." – Detective Weisbrot [13:16]
"I found the question very odd. I would have expected him to ask us questions like, what are we doing to find her..." – Detective Weisbrot [21:50]
"Police start to believe that something violent happened to Sarah." – Reporter Jessica Easthope [28:48]

Memorable Moments

The search of the Avon by the Sea house, with vivid descriptions of its state and how Sarah stumbled on the cash.
The unveiling of the bank’s safety deposit box, Sarah’s key being the perfect match, and the surprising discovery of over $25,000 in old, brittle bills.
The off-kilter interview with Liam, who not only fails to bring up the bank trip but speculates about Sarah’s body being lost to the ocean, unnerving detectives.
The emotional desperation of Sarah’s father, Michael Stern, as weeks pass with no answers.
The episode’s close, spotlighting an undercover sting that promises to finally unravel the case.

Tone & Style

The reporting maintains a sober, investigative tone, punctuated by the emotional gravity of Sarah’s disappearance and the perplexity facing police.
Dialogue and narration emphasize the strangeness and sadness of the circumstances, the suspicions aroused by friends’ shifting stories, and the doggedness of the investigative team.