Bridge of Lies (ABC News)

Episode: The Search (March 17, 2026)

Overview

In this episode of "Bridge of Lies," host Juju Chang chronicles the early investigation and community response following the mysterious disappearance of 19-year-old Sarah Stern, an aspiring artist from the Jersey Shore. After her car is discovered abandoned on a bridge, police, friends, and family scramble to make sense of Sarah's sudden vanishing. As competing theories circulate—suicide, escape, or foul play—the episode dives deeply into interviews, alibis, and the significance of a mysterious stash of money to unravel what might have happened to Sarah.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Launching the Search (00:06–04:41)

• Search Initiated: The episode opens with Franny Hines, head of the Belmar first aid squad, recounting being called to organize a water rescue after Sarah Stern’s car was discovered on the Highway 35 bridge.
  • “They were requesting our water rescue team... to search for someone who possibly had gone off the Highway 35 bridge.” – Franny Hines (00:14)
• Scale and Emotional Weight: The search was extensive, covering under the bridge, both shores, and the ocean inlet with boats and divers. It held personal weight for Hines, who knew Sarah and her family intimately.
  • “This is the first time we were searching for somebody that we knew.” – Franny Hines (03:04)
• Early Theories: Despite the cold water and grim odds, rescuers hoped for Sarah’s safe return.

2. Police Interviews & Emerging Theories (05:05–13:36)

• Liam McAtasney Interviewed: Police focus on Liam, Sarah’s childhood friend and the last person known to have seen her, pressing him for details.
  • “You were basically the last person that had any contact with her.” – Police Officer (05:51)
• Liam’s Account: Liam describes hanging out with Sarah, helping her move some belongings, and her strained relationship with her father. He notes Sarah was “just trying to get stuff out of the house, away from her dad...” (06:50)
• Tensions with Her Father: According to Liam, Sarah and her father Michael argued constantly, prompting theories of her either running away or struggling with mental health.
• Possible Motives for Leaving: Liam references Sarah’s fascination with YouTube creators and Canada, suggesting she might have planned to flee.
• Police Skepticism: Officers are both dismissive and curious about Sarah’s YouTube fandom and whether her online world could explain her disappearance.

3. Contradictory Views on Sarah’s Mental State (11:17–13:36)

• Suicide Theory Raised: Liam tells police Sarah had previously shown "self-destructive, suicidal behavior" (11:21), though her family and friends later deny this characterization.
• Police Issue a Warning: Officers urge Liam to be forthcoming given the resources being invested in the search.
  • “We have, people swimming in the Shark river in this cold weather, cold water, everything else, we have boats, we have helicopters. Dude, if you know anything... you need to let us know.” – Police Officer (13:17)

4. Community Efforts and Expanding Investigation (13:36–21:12)

• Two Main Theories:
  1. Sarah ran away to Canada to escape family tensions.
  2. She died by suicide on the bridge.
• Ongoing River Search: Rescue efforts continue with no results by late afternoon.
  • “We searched till probably about 3 o' clock in the afternoon until we decided to call it.” – Franny Hines (15:17)
• Security Camera Frustration: Detective Brian Weisbrot reveals bridge cameras were inactive, precluding easy answers via surveillance.
• Neighborhood Canvassing: Police and Sarah’s father both canvas local businesses and homes for clues; security footage from Sarah's neighbor places her car leaving late at night but is inconclusive about who was driving.

5. Friends’ Testimonies & Timeline Corroboration (22:29–27:10)

• Focus on Preston Taylor: Investigators question Liam’s roommate and close friend, Preston Taylor, whose account aligns with Liam’s timeline.
  • “Sarah's friendship with Liam. How would you describe that? He and they were good friends, like obviously pretty close, especially with how upset he's been.” – Preston Taylor (25:00)
• Preston's Alibi: Preston claims he was at a jobsite and got home around 5 pm, observing nothing unusual about Liam’s behavior.
• Emotional Response: Preston becomes emotional when asked what he thinks happened, stating he believes Sarah jumped, referencing her family tensions and grief after her mother’s death.
  • “Just from the stories that I've heard about what goes on with her and her dad...” – Preston Taylor (27:54)

6. Community Search & Conflicting Accounts (31:06–37:42)

• Large-Scale Community Search: Over 250 volunteers, including friends, family, and local residents, search for Sarah or clues to her whereabouts.
• Media Coverage: Sarah’s case garners significant news attention, with her father Michael making public appeals.
• Neighbor Carly Draper’s Testimony: Contradicts Liam’s narrative of family conflict, emphasizing Sarah’s closeness with her father.
  • “They became even closer after her mother passed away... they were very close and they both loved each other.” – Carly Draper (33:31)
• Theory: Sarah Fled to Canada: Carly reveals Sarah confided about plans to move to Canada, facilitated by Liam and new-found money.
  • “She was telling me that she wanted to move to Canada. Liam had an apartment there... and that she had found money... in a safe.” – Carly Draper (35:07)
  • “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.” – Carly Draper (37:22)
• Discovery of Money: News that Sarah found a large amount of cash at a family property shapes new investigative avenues. Police and friends become aware this “secret” was more widely known than intended.

7. A Turning Point: The Money and Suspicions of Foul Play (38:17–39:06)

• Money as Motive: The episode closes with suspicions shifting from suicide or runaway scenarios to potential foul play, guided by the revelation that multiple people—including those close to Sarah—knew about the money.
  • “One of the biggest questions is why? And that answer starts being filled out the more they find out about this money that Sarah found in her parents house in Avon.” – Jessica Easthope, Reporter (38:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is the first time we were searching for somebody that we knew.” – Franny Hines (03:04)
• “You were basically the last person that had any contact with her.” – Police Officer (05:51)
• “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.” – Carly Draper (37:22)
• “She was telling me that she wanted to Move to Canada. [and] that she had found money...” – Carly Draper (35:07)
• “One of the biggest questions is why? And that answer starts being filled out the more they find out about this money...” – Jessica Easthope (38:48)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |---------|-------------|-----------| | Search Initiated & Scale | Rescue operations begin, Franny Hines’ emotional investment | 00:06–04:41 | | Liam's Police Interview | Outlines Sarah’s recent activity, introduces early theories | 05:05–13:36 | | Camera Investigation | Detective Weisbrot details failed video surveillance | 18:20–21:12 | | Preston Taylor’s Interview | Helps corroborate timeline, offers own theory | 22:29–27:10 | | Community Search | Large volunteer turnout, media efforts, Carly’s account | 31:06–37:42 | | Discovery of Money | Shift in police and public theory, hints at foul play | 38:17–39:06 |

Summary & Takeaways

This compelling episode exposes the twists and complexities investigators encountered in the early days of the Sarah Stern case. The hosts and guests bring forward the deeply personal connections, contrasting testimonies, and emerging clues—most importantly the stash of money—that shaped the investigation. As police weigh the possibility of suicide or runaway against the growing suspicion of foul play, listeners are left with a sense of mounting tension, setting the stage for the next dramatic developments in this true crime saga.