Digest

This podcast delves into the chilling case of Sarah Stern, a 19-year-old who vanished from Neptune City, New Jersey. The investigation begins with the discovery of her abandoned car on a bridge, leading to suspicions of suicide or a runaway. However, the discovery of a large sum of cash in Sarah's safe deposit box casts doubt on these theories. The podcast then follows the investigation as detectives uncover a web of deceit and violence. Liam McAthasney, a close friend of Sarah's, becomes a person of interest after making suspicious statements about her disappearance. His second interview with detectives reveals details about Sarah's obsession with an ex-girlfriend and a curious comment about the odds of her being in the ocean. The podcast then introduces Anthony Curry, a former classmate of Sarah and Liam, who comes forward with crucial information. He reveals that Liam had confided in him about a plan to kill Sarah, initially dismissing it as a movie idea. This leads to a sting operation where Liam confesses to killing Sarah and provides details about the crime, including the involvement of his roommate, Preston Taylor. Preston also confesses to police, admitting to helping Liam dispose of Sarah's body. He provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and following Sarah's death, including the location where they threw her body over the bridge. The podcast concludes with the trial of Liam McAthasney, where the prosecution presents evidence to prove that Sarah was murdered. The jury finds Liam guilty of murder, and he is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The podcast reflects on the impact of the case on the community and the families involved, highlighting the enduring mystery of Sarah's disappearance and the tragic loss of a young life.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Disappearance of Sarah Stern

The podcast introduces the case of Sarah Stern, a 19-year-old who disappeared in Neptune City, New Jersey. Her car was found abandoned on a bridge, leading to a missing person investigation. The podcast explores the events leading up to her disappearance and the subsequent investigation.

00:01:51

Sarah Stern's Life and the Early Investigation

The podcast delves into Sarah's life, describing her as a vibrant and happy-go-lucky teenager. It highlights her close relationship with her father and her passion for art and digital media. The podcast then recounts the events of the night she disappeared, focusing on the discovery of her abandoned car and the initial search efforts.

00:21:47

Liam McAthasney and the Shifting Suspicions

The podcast details the early stages of the investigation, including police interviews with Sarah's friends and family. The focus shifts to Liam McAthasney, a close friend of Sarah's, who provides information about her recent struggles and her desire to move to Canada. The podcast highlights the detectives' growing doubts about Liam's story and their discovery of Sarah's safe deposit box containing a large sum of cash. This leads them to believe that Sarah did not run away and that her disappearance may be more sinister than initially thought.

00:44:18

Anthony Curry's Revelation and the Sting Operation

The podcast introduces Anthony Curry, a former classmate of Sarah and Liam, who comes forward with crucial information. He reveals that Liam had confided in him about a plan to kill Sarah, which he initially dismissed as a movie idea. The podcast describes the police's sting operation to catch Liam, using Anthony as an undercover informant. Liam confesses to killing Sarah and provides details about the crime, including the involvement of his roommate, Preston Taylor.

00:53:53

Preston Taylor's Confession and the Aftermath

The podcast recounts Preston's confession to police, where he admits to helping Liam dispose of Sarah's body. He provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and following Sarah's death, including the location where they threw her body over the bridge. The podcast details the aftermath of the confessions, including the arrests of Liam and Preston. It explores the reactions of their families and the subsequent trial, where the prosecution presents evidence to prove that Sarah was murdered and not a runaway or suicide.

01:09:22

The Trial and Verdict

The podcast concludes with the verdict of the trial, where Liam is found guilty of murder. The podcast reflects on the impact of the case on the community and the families involved, highlighting the enduring mystery of Sarah's disappearance and the tragic loss of a young life.

01:14:01

Evidence Presented at Trial

The episode begins with a discussion of the evidence presented at the trial of Liam McAtasney, who was accused of murdering Sarah Stern. Text messages exchanged between Michael Stern, Sarah's father, and Sarah are highlighted, revealing the panic he experienced when she went missing.

01:16:42

Liam McAtasney's Confession and the Defense's Eyewitness Testimony

Anthony Curry, a friend of Liam McAtasney, testifies about a conversation he had with Liam on Thanksgiving night. Liam confessed to killing Sarah, describing the plan in detail, including choking her, throwing her off a bridge, and staging her death as a suicide. The defense calls an eyewitness, Craig Hetzel, who claims to have seen Sarah Stern alive 12 hours after she was supposedly killed. However, inconsistencies in his story raise doubts about his credibility.

01:21:31

The Prosecution's Rebuttal and the Verdict

The prosecution refutes the defense's eyewitness testimony, highlighting the lack of corroborating evidence. The jury finds Liam McAtasney guilty of murder, and he is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

01:23:24

Remembering Sarah Stern

The episode concludes with a tribute to Sarah Stern, highlighting her artistic talent and the impact her death had on her family and friends. Michael Stern, Sarah's father, expresses his grief and the lasting impact of the verdict.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the initial suspicions surrounding Sarah Stern's disappearance?

  Initially, police suspected Sarah might have committed suicide due to her history of self-destructive behavior and her recent struggles. However, the lack of evidence at the bridge and the discovery of her safe deposit box with a large sum of cash cast doubt on this theory.

• How did Anthony Curry's information change the course of the investigation?

  Anthony's revelation that Liam had confided in him about a plan to kill Sarah shifted the focus of the investigation from suicide or a runaway to murder. This led to the sting operation and Liam's confession, ultimately solving the case.

• What was the significance of the safe deposit box and the money found inside?

  The safe deposit box and the large sum of cash found inside contradicted the theory that Sarah had run away. It suggested that she had planned to stay in the area and that her disappearance was not a voluntary act.

• How did the police use Anthony Curry in their sting operation?

  The police equipped Anthony's car with a recording device and instructed him to meet with Liam. Liam, believing Anthony was a friend, confessed to killing Sarah, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution.

• What was the defense's argument in Liam McAthasney's trial?

  The defense argued that Liam's confession was an act, an attempt to impress Anthony, a filmmaker, with a fictional story. They claimed that Liam was not capable of murder and that the evidence against him was circumstantial.

• What evidence was presented at the trial of Liam McAtasney?

  The evidence included text messages between Michael Stern and Sarah Stern, revealing his panic when she went missing. Anthony Curry's testimony about Liam's confession to killing Sarah was also a key piece of evidence.

• What was the impact of the guilty verdict on Sarah Stern's family and friends?

  The verdict brought a sense of closure for Sarah's family and friends, but also a reminder of the tragic loss they had suffered. Michael Stern, Sarah's father, expressed his grief and the lasting impact of the verdict.

Show Notes