Podcast Summary: Radioactive—The Karen Silkwood Mystery

Episode: Introducing "Bridge of Lies"

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

Episode Overview

This special episode serves as an introduction and preview to ABC's new true-crime podcast series, "Bridge of Lies," hosted by veteran journalist Juju Chang. While the Radioactive: The Karen Silkwood Mystery podcast typically focuses on the decades-old Silkwood case, this episode offers listeners a chance to experience the gripping first episode of "Bridge of Lies." Centered on the 2016 disappearance of 19-year-old Sarah Stern in Neptune City, New Jersey, the story unfolds with real police audio, urgent midnight searches, and the community’s rising sense of dread. The episode explores Sarah's background, the night her car is found abandoned on a bridge, and the investigative steps taken by law enforcement and loved ones as they attempt to unravel the mystery.

Key Discussion Points & Major Insights

1. The Discovery of the Abandoned Car

• [02:58–05:17]

  • Late at night, a driver spots a suspicious, empty car on the Belmar Bridge, calls 911.
  • Police find a silver 1994 Oldsmobile 88, registered to Lillian Stern, Sarah’s grandmother.
  • The car is unlocked, with keys inside, but contains no wallet, clothing, or ID; only Disney memorabilia and some artwork.
  • The circumstances do not suggest an accident or breakdown.

  “But the strange thing is it doesn’t seem like the car broke down or got in an accident…nobody is inside.”
  — Juju Chang [03:32]

2. The Initial Investigation at the Stern Home

• [05:17–09:24]

  • Police trace the car to the Stern residence and conduct a search.
  • They find only Sarah’s dog, Buddy, locked in a crate. The house is otherwise empty.
  • Officers search for clues to Sarah’s whereabouts or potential signs of suicide but find nothing definitive.

  “Didn’t find any suicide notes either.”
  — Police Officer [08:53]

• Sarah’s dad, Michael Stern, is reached by phone; he is away in Florida and confused by the police inquiry.

  “My daughter drives that car. Then they hung up.”
  — Michael Stern [09:57]

3. Dive into Sarah Stern’s Background and Personality

• [16:52–22:26]

  • Neptune City is portrayed as a close-knit, unglamorous Jersey Shore community.
  • Sarah is described as artistic, quirky, and beloved by friends and neighbors.
  • The impact of her mother’s passing from cancer and her coping mechanisms (art, online communities) are highlighted.

  “Sometimes, like when you’re with her, you just forget about everything around you…it’s you and her and whatever funny, crazy story she’s telling.”
  — Belinda Souza (friend) [21:45]

  “Her favorite saying during high school was reckless optimist.”
  — Juju Chang [22:07]

4. The Search for Answers and Early Theories

• [09:24–12:36, 25:06–31:30]

  • Michael Stern’s attempts to reach Sarah go unanswered; her phone is off the grid.
  • Police ping her phone but get no location (last seen in Neptune City and a nearby town).
  • Early police theory: Possible suicide, influenced by lack of evidence and hints of depression.
  • Friends and neighbors insist Sarah would not run away; she was making future plans.

  “Neptune’s gonna have to figure out what the mindset of this kid is.”
  — Police Officer [09:31]

5. Expanding the Investigation—Interviews with Friends and Neighbors

• [25:06–28:23]

  • Police visit Liam McAtasney (childhood friend) and his mother; he's the last known person to see Sarah.
  • Neighbor Robin Draper shares that Sarah dropped off a sealed bin of her late mother's belongings the day she vanished.
  • Officers probe friend and neighbor relationships for further clues, including the possibility of Sarah leaving for Canada, as stated by Liam.

  “She’s been trying to get away. Been telling me she’s going to Canada.”
  — Liam McAtasney [30:07]

6. Emotional Underpinnings and Community Reaction

• [16:52–22:26, 31:19–32:12]

  • The small town is deeply shaken by a familiar young woman’s disappearance.
  • Sarah’s humor, creativity, resilience after family loss, and local roots personalize the stakes.
  • The police, initially at a loss, balance between possible foul play, suicide, or voluntary disappearance.

  “We got depression. We got all kinds of stuff dealing with here. And we got a car on top of a bridge.”
  — Police Officer [31:19]

7. Setting Up the Broader Series Arc

• [32:06–end]

  • Daybreak brings divers and increased search intensity.
  • Hints of shifting suspicion as the focus turns inward to Sarah’s closest friends—hinting at betrayal.
  • Listeners are promised escalating twists in subsequent episodes.

  “Police will look more closely at Sarah’s inner circle, examining friendships, lies, and perhaps even betrayal.”
  — Juju Chang [32:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “All they could see is that earlier in the night, her phone was in Neptune City and another town nearby.”
  — Juju Chang [11:05]

• “She tried to put that on her [graduation] cap during the graduation ceremony. And one of the teachers or advisors saying that you have to take that stuff off.”
  — Michael Stern (about “reckless optimist”) [22:07]

• “As police worked through the night, word was spreading that a car had been abandoned on a bridge and its 19 year old driver was nowhere to be found. Often when things like this happen, this young woman becomes everyone's daughter.”
  — Jessica Easthope (reporter) [16:58]

• “We went through the entire house, backyard, everything. There's absolutely nobody home.”
  — Police Officer [09:18]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 02:58 – 05:17 | Discovery and initial investigation of abandoned car | | 05:17 – 09:24 | Police search at Stern home; initial confusion | | 09:24 – 12:36 | Michael Stern learns of disappearance; family & phone | | 16:52 – 22:26 | Sarah’s background, family, and community ties | | 25:06 – 28:23 | Police interview with friends, neighbors, and Liam | | 28:40 – 31:30 | Interview with Liam: hints of depression and running | | 31:19 – 32:12 | Investigator reflections; emotional community response | | 32:06 – End | Case escalation and preview of coming investigation |

Tone and Style

• Matter-of-fact but compassionate narration by Juju Chang, emphasizing detail, empathy, and suspense.
• Direct police interactions lend authenticity and urgency.
• Community voices color the narrative with personal anecdotes and grief.
• Underlying tension: “Who can you trust?” and what darkness may lurk beneath the surface.

Conclusion

This introductory episode of "Bridge of Lies" draws listeners into the mysterious disappearance of Sarah Stern, blending procedural police work, poignant family reflections, and community solidarity. The episode threads together evidence, interviews, and emotion to set up a season-long investigation into a case fraught with betrayal, heartbreak, and irrevocable consequences.

Listeners are left with haunting questions and a strong sense of anticipation for the next, darker turns in Sarah's story.