Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska

Special Episode: Introducing "Bridge of Lies"

Host: Juju Chang (ABC News, 20/20)
Date: March 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This special crossover episode serves as an introduction to the new true crime podcast "Bridge of Lies," hosted by Juju Chang. Rather than focusing on Alaska, as the “Cold Blooded” series usually does, this episode dives into the mysterious 2016 disappearance of Sarah Stern, a 19-year-old aspiring artist from Neptune City, New Jersey. When Sarah’s car is discovered abandoned on a local bridge, authorities face a host of uncertainties: Did she run away, take her own life, or was something more sinister at play?

The episode lays out the initial confusion and emotional stakes of the case, introducing key figures, and capturing the raw reactions of friends, family, and law enforcement as they confront an absence that doesn’t add up. As hints of betrayal and conflicting stories emerge, listeners are drawn into a haunting whodunit set against the backdrop of a small coastal community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to "Bridge of Lies" ([00:00])

• Juju Chang shares her background in true crime and sets the mood for the series.

• Introduces the central mystery: Sarah Stern’s car found abandoned on a bridge, sparking multiple theories about her disappearance.

• Emphasizes the emotional complexity, false leads, and eventual shocking betrayal at the story’s core.

  "It makes you question: who can you trust?" — Juju Chang [00:33]

2. Discovery of the Abandoned Car ([01:56]–[04:26])

• 911 call reporting an abandoned car on the Belmar Bridge overheard.

• Police describe finding an empty, unlocked car with keys inside and personal artifacts, but no clues to Sarah’s whereabouts.

• The bridge location and night conditions (rushing river, darkness) set a mysterious, ominous atmosphere.

  "It's just an empty old car left on a bridge in the middle of the night." — Juju Chang [03:48]

3. Initial Investigation at the Stern Home ([04:26]–[08:33])

• Police visit the home registered to the car, discovering it belongs to Sarah’s grandmother, Lillian Stern.

• Officers search the house, encountering Sarah’s dog, “Buddy,” but find no notes or evidence pointing to where Sarah might have gone.

• House is described as cluttered, filled with memorabilia and family history, furthering the sense of intimacy and loss.

  "Didn't find any suicide notes either." — Officer, [08:02]

4. Efforts to Contact Family ([08:40]–[11:46])

• Sarah’s father, Michael Stern, is reached while on vacation in Florida.

• He describes the confusion and panic upon learning of the abandoned car and his frantic efforts to gather information while traveling home.

• Their recent text exchange is recalled, highlighting a sense of normalcy and affection. Michael shares sending photos from Disney World, a shared passion.

  "Sent her a couple pictures of the castle ... there was a rainbow over the Magic Kingdom. I sent her a picture of that too, and she just said it was great." — Michael Stern [10:38]

5. Neptune City: A Portrait of a Community ([14:27]–[17:25])

• The show introduces Neptune City’s character: a small, tight-knit, working-class Jersey Shore town, not defined by “MTV” stereotypes but by community and generational ties.

• Sarah’s deep roots are emphasized, with her family’s bookstore and her mother’s involvement in the school.

• Local reporter and Sarah’s friends describe her as beloved, quirky, and artistic.

  "This young woman becomes everyone's daughter. She was missing. Nobody knew where she was." — Jessica Easthope, reporter [16:35]

6. Who Was Sarah Stern? ([17:25]–[21:00])

• Friends and family share anecdotes and memories, painting Sarah as creative, funny, and kind.

• She was devoted to art, embraced online communities, and known for her “reckless optimist” outlook.

• The pain of losing her mother to cancer and Sarah’s resilient personality are described.

  “Sometimes, when you’re with her, you just forget about everything around you... whatever crazy story she’s telling, and you’re just joking." — Belinda Souza, friend [19:26] “She tried to put ['reckless optimist'] on her cap during graduation…” — Michael Stern [20:22]

7. Police Interview Sarah’s Friends ([24:23]–[30:16])

• Police canvass the neighborhood overnight, seeking clues from those closest to Sarah.
• Visit to Carly Draper’s family provides background on Sarah’s emotional history and recent behavior; Sarah had dropped off a bin of her late mother’s belongings earlier that day, a possible clue.
• Officers then seek out Liam McAtasney, a childhood friend from Sarah's tight-knit “squad.”

8. Interview With Liam McAtasney ([27:29]–[29:58])

• Liam is woken up by police, seems disoriented and claims he last saw Sarah that day.

• Offers new theories: says Sarah was “trying to get away,” possibly to Canada, and had been “depressed lately.”

• For the first time, mentions possible tension with Sarah’s father.

• Police encourage him to reach out to friends, reinforcing urgency.

  “She’s been real depressed lately. Her dad is crazy.”—Liam McAtasney [29:14]

9. Complicating Theories and Emotional Undercurrents ([29:58]–[31:03])

• Sum up the situation: No concrete evidence of suicide, abduction, or voluntary disappearance. Sarah’s mental state and relationships are now major points of inquiry.

• The mystery deepens—uncertainty, ambiguity, and hints of upcoming betrayal.

  "She's not getting along with her father. There's all kinds of emotional issues with her ... we got depression, we got all kinds of stuff dealing with here, and we got a car on top of a bridge." — Officer, [30:16]

10. Closing: The Search Intensifies ([30:35]–[31:09])

• By dawn, the search expands with divers and boats on the river.

• Police plan to scrutinize Sarah’s inner circle, as the sense of possible betrayal grows.

  “How did Sarah simply vanish into the night?” — Juju Chang [31:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Juju Chang: "It makes you question: who can you trust?" [00:33]
• Officer (surveying the house): "Didn't find any suicide notes either." [08:02]
• Michael Stern (on texting Sarah): "She just said it was great." [10:38]
• Jessica Easthope: "This young woman becomes everyone's daughter. She was missing." [16:35]
• Belinda Souza (friend): "Sometimes... you just forget about everything around you... whatever funny, crazy story she's telling..." [19:26]
• Liam McAtasney: "She's been real depressed lately. Her dad is crazy." [29:14]
• Officer: "We got depression, we got all kinds of stuff dealing with here, and we got a car on top of a bridge." [30:16]
• Juju Chang: "How did Sarah simply vanish into the night?" [31:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] — Juju Chang introduces "Bridge of Lies"
• [01:56] — 911 call and discovery of Sarah Stern’s abandoned car
• [04:26] — Police search Stern family home
• [08:40] — Michael Stern learns of the car, recounts last conversations
• [14:27] — Introduction to Neptune City and the Stern family’s community ties
• [17:25] — Friends and family remember Sarah
• [24:23] — Police interview Carly Draper’s family, then seek out Liam McAtasney
• [27:29] — Police question Liam, introducing new theories
• [29:58] — Officers try to synthesize what they’ve learned
• [31:03] — The search for Sarah ramps up and focus shifts to her inner circle

Final Thoughts

The episode establishes a haunting, uncertain atmosphere surrounding Sarah Stern’s disappearance. The strongest throughlines are the close-knit nature of the town, the conflicting narratives, and the subtle emergence of suspicion—suggesting that beneath Neptune City's calm exterior may lie betrayal and tragedy. The listener is left with a sense of urgency, sorrow, and the tantalizing promise of untangling deeper secrets in the episodes to come.

To continue following the investigation, subscribe and listen to "Bridge of Lies" on your favorite podcast platform.