Bridge of Lies – Episode 4: The Sting

Podcast: Bridge of Lies
Host: Juju Chang (ABC News, 20/20)
Date: March 31, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode, The Sting, explores the critical breakthrough in the Sarah Stern case—how an acquaintance’s haunting memories and a daring, undercover sting operation finally shattered the lies and secrecy that frustrated police and devastated a small New Jersey community. The narrative follows Anthony Curry, a filmmaker and one-time friend of the suspect, as he risks his safety to help police capture a confession from Liam McAtasney, Sarah’s childhood friend and, as the episode unfolds, her killer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anthony Curry Comes Forward ([00:26–04:02])

• Anthony Curry, a filmmaker who once considered Liam McAtasney a close friend, approaches police with disturbing memories from the week before Sarah went missing.
• Revealed Conversation: On Thanksgiving night, 2016, while drinking and talking, Liam told Anthony about a "movie idea" involving killing Sarah for her money—information Anthony dismissed as a drunken pitch until Sarah’s disappearance and Liam's alarming Snapchat messages months later.
• Quote:

  “He, like, told me about this idea he had to kill this girl.” — Anthony Curry ([02:15])

• Emotional Impact: Anthony is deeply shaken realizing Liam’s “movie pitch” might have been real, especially as Liam grows increasingly persistent and cryptic in their messages post-disappearance.

2. Police & Prosecutor Reaction ([07:15–08:14])

• Authorities initially doubt Anthony’s story due to its sensational nature—but note his fear, detail, and consistency.
• Notable Quote:

  “He was scared, and Liam was aggressively trying to communicate with him more…that bothered Anthony.” — Detective Weisbrot ([08:04])

• Assistant Prosecutor Chris Decker weighs the risks and rewards: they need proof—preferably a record of Liam incriminating himself.

3. The Undercover Operation ([08:29–12:05])

• Anthony is asked to go undercover. Police will monitor and document all communications.
• Wired Call Setup: Anthony calls Liam, hinting at the stolen money ("spot me some cash from that girl’s money?")—Liam declines to talk specifics by phone, but crucially does not deny involvement ([10:29–11:15]).
• Insightful Quote:

  “Other than it's abundantly clear ... that Liam is absolutely not denying it. All he continues to say is, I don't want to talk about it on the phone.” — Chris Decker ([12:05])

4. The High-Stakes Meeting ([16:14–19:07])

• Police prepare for a risky in-person meet: Anthony agrees to record their conversation in his car.
• Anthony’s anxiety and connection to Liam are palpable, highlighted by nervous rituals—singing along to “Rockin’ Me” by Steve Miller Band, a song the two once played together ([18:03–18:55]).
• Memorable Quote:

  "Me and him used to play that song in a band together and that was on the radio when I was driving there. Weird. It's bizarre." — Anthony Curry ([18:55])

5. Liam Confesses—On Tape ([20:31–27:00])

• The Encounter:

  • On arrival, Liam immediately pats Anthony down for a wire—an alarming show of paranoia ([21:45–21:59]).
  • In chilling detail, Liam calmly describes killing Sarah:

    "She took some money out. ... I choke her out, drag her. My biggest problem was the dog. ... I pretty much hung her." — Liam McAtasney ([23:12–24:03])

  • Liam demonstrates how he killed Sarah and recounts how her dog did nothing. He describes choking Sarah for half an hour, reflects on the details of her final moments, and discusses the mechanics of the crime with alarming detachment.

• Investigators' Shock:

  “I have never heard somebody talk about murdering someone like Liam McAtasney did.” — Detective Weisbrot ([26:06])

• Key Revelation:

  • Liam refers to "we" disposing of Sarah’s body, revealing he wasn’t alone—Preston Taylor, his roommate and Sarah’s friend, helped move and dump the body ([26:39–27:00]).

6. Planning and Aftermath ([28:23–34:34])

• Liam outlines six months of careful planning, surveillance, and manipulation, including mapping security cameras and rehearsing alibis.

• He laments that the stolen money was far less (just $10,000 vs. $50,000) and mostly unusable ([31:57–32:23]).

• Disturbing Quote:

  "I don't feel any different than. I don't think about it. ... It's a movie, man." — Liam McAtasney ([32:47])

• Anthony continues playing the part, while inside reeling from the revelations. The police now have a damning confession, but choose not to arrest Liam yet—hoping to strengthen their case.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the setup and risk:

  "You gotta act sorta like Donnie Brasco. You gotta ask him questions." — Anthony Curry ([18:03])

• Anthony’s Reflection Post-Sting:

  "I didn't really have to do much work, like he wanted to tell me, you know, I think he wanted to get it off his chest." — Anthony Curry ([34:51])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:26–04:02] — Anthony Curry's decision to approach authorities
• [08:29–12:05] — Police’s plan for the wire operation and the first recorded call
• [16:14–19:07] — Anthony prepares for the sting operation, police set the scene
• [21:45–22:18] — Liam pats Anthony down for a wire, quickly moves to discussing Sarah’s murder
• [23:12–24:22] — Liam’s chilling confession about how he killed Sarah
• [26:39–27:00] — Liam implicates Preston Taylor (“we threw off the bridge”)
• [31:57–32:23] — Liam laments the disappointing haul from the crime
• [33:16–33:42] — Liam warns Anthony to keep silent and not to tell Preston
• [34:51–35:21] — Anthony’s post-meeting reflections

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a tense, cinematic tone—a mix of procedural detail, raw anxiety, and moral reckoning. Speech from Anthony is nervous and candid, police and prosecutors are methodical, and Liam’s casual, disturbing narrative is especially chilling.

Episode Takeaways

• A Breakthrough Via Bravery: Anthony Curry’s willingness to come forward and wear a wire was pivotal, requiring personal courage and putting him in grave personal risk.
• Chilling Candor: Liam’s lack of remorse, detailed planning, and willingness to confess to an old friend (unaware he was being recorded) provided the shock and evidence needed to swing the case.
• The Investigation Advances: With this sting, police finally possess the vital evidence tying Liam to Sarah Stern’s murder—and a new path opens to ensnare Preston Taylor.

Next Episode Preview

The story continues as investigators aim to confront and flip Preston, hoping he too will confess and strengthen the case against both perpetrators.