Bridge of Lies: Episode 1 — "The Abandoned Car"

Podcast: Bridge of Lies, ABC News
Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Juju Chang
Episode Overview:
This opening episode transports listeners to a cold December night on the Jersey Shore, where an abandoned car on the Belmar Bridge triggers a search for 19-year-old Sarah Stern, a well-known, aspiring artist in Neptune City. As police, Sarah's loved ones, and the community grapple with her mysterious disappearance, conflicting clues and uneasy relationships unfold. Through on-the-ground reporting and firsthand accounts, the episode reconstructs the initial hours of the investigation and introduces the people and stakes at the heart of the case.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Central Mystery: The sudden disappearance of Sarah Stern after her car is found deserted on a bridge. Is it suicide, an accident, a runaway, or something more sinister?
• Small Town Impact: The case’s ripple effect on Neptune City, a tightly knit Jersey Shore community unaccustomed to such drama.
• Inside the Investigation: Listeners follow police bodycam audio, interviews, and home visits, experiencing the uncertainty and emotional strain on all involved.
• Emerging Suspicions: Early hints at secrets, strained relationships, and possible betrayal.

Key Sections & Discussion Points

Discovery of the Abandoned Car (00:00–03:44)

• 911 Call: Concerned driver reports a deserted car in the dead of night on Belmar Bridge, describing it as “an old beat up light tan colored…sedan” (01:25).
• Police Arrive: Officers find a 1994 Oldsmobile 88—unlocked, with keys inside but no ID, cash, or personal effects except for Disney memorabilia and artwork (01:58).
• Initial Theories: No signs of accident or breakdown. Early leanings toward the possibility of a suicide jumper (05:02).

Memorable Quote

“It doesn't seem like the car broke down or got in an accident. It's unlocked. The keys are in the center column console… nobody is inside.” — Juju Chang (01:58)

Search at the Stern Family Home (03:44–08:04)

• Identifying the Owner: Police trace registration to Lillian Stern, Sarah’s grandmother. Attention immediately shifts to Sarah as the primary driver.
• Home Check: House is empty except for Buddy the dog, family memorabilia, and Christmas decor—no sign of Sarah, no suicide note.
• Police Reflection: Officers are left wondering about Sarah’s “mindset,” referencing the “jumper” theory but with no clear evidence.

Notable Moment

Buddy, the “10-year-old foxhound with floppy ears and big brown eyes,” is found locked in a crate, highlighting the suddenness of Sarah's disappearance (06:04).

Reaching Sarah’s Father (08:04–11:21)

• Michael Stern’s Account: Sarah’s father is on vacation in Florida, receives an early morning call from the police, and is thrown into panic and confusion.
• Lack of Communication: Michael can’t reach Sarah—her texts turn to green, indicating no phone service.
• Last Conversation: Michael recalls sending Sarah photos from Disney World, noting, “she just said it was great.” (09:56)

Memorable Quote

"A million things go through your mind." — Michael Stern, reflecting on his anxiety during the drive home (10:25)

Introducing Neptune City & Sarah’s Life (13:56–19:14)

• Community Portrait: Neptune City is described as “small, tight knit,” not the lavish Jersey Shore seen on TV, but “run of the mill” and deeply connected (15:03).
• Sarah’s World:
  • Raised as an only child, grew up with close friends (Carly Draper) and was deeply involved in the community.
  • Social media and online worlds were important—she ran a Tumblr and participated in YouTube group calls (17:10–18:10).
  • Notable for her sense of humor and artistic talent, painting murals and winning her school’s “most artistic” award (18:54).
• Personal Struggles: Sarah’s mother died of cancer, leaving Sarah struggling emotionally but clinging to an identity as a “reckless optimist” (19:18).

Notable Quote

“She tried to put [‘reckless optimist’] on her cap during the graduation ceremony…she peeled a couple letters off and put them back on when she was waiting to go get her diploma.” — Michael Stern (19:40)

The Nighttime Search for Answers (20:00–29:16)

• Tracing Sarah’s Last Steps: Police learn Sarah spent the day with longtime friend Liam McAtasney.
• Interview with Friends and Neighbors:
  • Robin Draper (Neighbor): Describes Sarah dropping off a taped bin of her late mother’s things—unusual and deemed noteworthy by police (24:34).
  • Carly & Robin: Emphasize Sarah’s reliability and how it’s out of character for her to vanish without notice.
• Interview with Liam McAtasney:
  • Claims to have seen Sarah earlier in the day, says she was “trying to get away, telling me she’s going to Canada,” and describes her as having been “real depressed lately. Her dad is crazy” (27:41–28:07).
  • “I actually haven’t been able to find my cell phone.” His vague answers and lost phone raise suspicions.

Memorable Exchange

Officer: “You went to work at what time?”
Liam: “4:30.”
Officer: “So you haven’t talked to her since 4:30? …What was her mindset last time you talked to her?”
Liam: “I just know she’s been trying to get away, telling me she’s going to Canada.” (27:27–27:54)

• Police Synthesis: Conflicting accounts, hints at depression, a possibly strained paternal relationship, and loose talk of running away complicate the picture.

Key Quote

“She’s not getting along with father. There’s all kinds of emotional issues with her. …And I got a car on top of a bridge.” — Police officer (29:06)

Community Rallies and Search Intensifies (29:25–29:59)

• By dawn, divers and rescue boats search the Shark River as anxiety and speculation grip Neptune City.
• Friends and family maintain hope but fear the worst.

Notable Moment

“I remember…thinking to myself, like, we’re never going to find anything because she’s in Canada.” — Carly Draper, expressing disbelief Sarah could be dead (29:33)

Notable Quotes & Speaker Attribution

• On Sarah’s absence:

  "This young woman becomes everyone’s daughter. She was missing. Nobody knew where she was."
  — Jessica Easthope, reporter (15:53)

• On Sarah’s personality:

  "Sometimes, like when you're with her, you just forget about everything around you and it's just... you and her and whatever funny, crazy story she's telling."
  — Belinda Souza, friend and teammate (18:45)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Abandoned car discovered: 01:25–01:58
• Police search Stern house: 03:44–07:45
• Michael Stern recounts call from police: 08:24–10:37
• Jessica Easthope describes Neptune City: 15:03–15:21
• Carly Draper on Sarah’s childhood: 16:44–17:14
• Robin Draper describes bin of mother's belongings: 24:34–24:38
• Police’s first interview with Liam: 26:27–28:38
• Police summarize case/confusion: 29:06–29:16

Episode Tone and Style

The storytelling is empathetic, precise, and cinematic, using actual police audio, interviews, and community voices to create urgency and emotional impact. The podcast balances the technical and emotional aspects of the investigation, while foreshadowing deeper secrets and betrayals to come.

Episode 1 Takeaways

• The case of Sarah Stern’s disappearance immediately mystifies police and community.
• Her family background, personality, and recent struggles complicate the picture—nothing is straightforward.
• Early interviews with friends/neighbors introduce possible motives, shifting theories from suicide to voluntary disappearance to foul play.
• The groundwork is laid for a broader investigation into Sarah's inner circle and what may have really transpired on the bridge that night.

Next episode promises to dive deeper into Sarah’s friendships, secrets, and the investigation’s turning points.