>> I HEARD MY MOM CRYING
SHE SAID THAT THEY FOUND SARAH'S CAR ON THE BRIDGE.
>> NOBODY COULD FIND HER, AND HER PHONE WAS OFF.
>> YOU HAVE TO START WORKING WORST CASE SCENARIOS
>> DID SHE JUMP OFF A BRIDGE >> I WAS JUST SHORT OF
HYSTERICAL >> THIS WAS A HUGE SEARCH.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CAME? >> A LOT OF PEOPLE
>> WE HAD THE STATE POLICE WE HAD THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
THERE. WE HAD DIVERS.
>> THIS IS THINGS YOU SEE ON TV. IT'S NOT THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO
YOU. >> I LOOKED AT HER, RIGHT IN THE
FACE, JUST LIKE I'M LOOKING AT YOU RIGHT NOW.
>> THAT GIRL'S ALIVE >> SARAH'S WHOLE DEAL WAS MY
THING. >> HE EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD
STUDIED HER MOVEMENTS. >> THE PLAN WAS TO TAKE HER
MONEY. >> A CASE THAT WOULD TEAR A
TIGHT-KNIT TOWN, APART >> EVIL.
PURE EVIL. >> THE HURT'S NEVER GONNA BE
OVER >> I'M LESTER HOLT AND THIS IS
"DATELINE. *
>> HERE'S KEITH MORRISON WITH
"THE BETRAYAL OF SARAH STERN." >> Reporter: THERE WAS SOMETHING
WRONG ON THE BRIDGE. IT WAS 2:45 A.M., DECEMBER 3,
2016 AN OLD TOWN ON THE JERSEY SHORE
CALLED NEPTUNE CITY. IT WAS BITTER COLD
DARK IT WAS AN UBER DRIVER WHO SAW
THE CAR, JUST SITTING THERE, HALFWAY ACROSS THE BRIDGE.
>> 911 WHERE IS THE EMERGENCY? >> I'M ACTUALLY ON THE BELMAR
BRIDGE RIGHT AFTER HEADING SOUTH, IN
THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE, THERE'S A CAR THAT'S ABANDONED
IT'S OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
>> AND WHAT KIND OF CAR IS IT? >> IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE AN OLD,
BEAT UP, LIGHT TAN-COLORED, LIKE, SEDAN.
>> Reporter: THEY SENT A SQUAD CAR OUT FOR A LOOK
THE COP GOT CLOSE. IT WAS UNLOCKED.
KEYS IN THE IGNITION NO SIGN OF THE DRIVER.
TWO, THREE FEET AWAY WAS A RAILING, AND BEYOND IT A
STRAIGHT DROP TO THE NIGHT-BLACK CURRENT SURGING OUT TO SEA
WHAT HAPPENED HERE THEY RAN THE PLATES.
DISCOVERED THE CAR WAS REGISTERED TO A 96 YEAR OLD
LIFE-LONG LOCAL NAMED LILLIAN STERN.
BUT SHE HADN'T USED HER CAR THAT DAY.
SHE'D LOANED IT TO HER 19-YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER
HER NAME, SARAH, SARAH STERN A THOUSAND MILES SOUTH AT DISNEY
WORLD, HER DAD, MIKE WAS ON VACATION WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND
KRISTINE HE WAS AWAKENED BY HIS PHONE
>> 3:00 IN THE MORNING, AND THEY JUST ASKED, DOES SARAH DRIVE THE
OLDSMOBILE I SAID, YEAH
WELL, CALL ENDED >> JUST LIKE THAT.
>> UH-HUH. YEAH
>> Reporter: AFTER THE CALL DROPPED, MIKE CALLED BACK AND
GOT A RECORDING AT THE MONMOUTH COUNTY PROSECUTORS OFFICE.
SO, PANIC BEGINNING TO STIR, HE PHONED A NEPHEW, WHO HAPPENED TO
BE A NEPTUNE FIRST-RESPONDER >> HE CALLED BACK ABOUT TEN
MINUTES LATER AND SAID, YEAH, THEY FOUND SARAH'S CAR UP ON THE
BRIDGE SHE WASN'T IN IT
>> Reporter: AND THEN THE TERROR SET IN
MIKE AND KRISTINE JUMPED IN THEIR CAR AND BEGAN THE 16-HOUR
DRIVE HOME >> I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THAT
DRIVE BACK WAS LIKE. >> IT WAS A LOT OF CRYING AND
JUST - >> YEAH.
>> -- THINKING AND TALKING AND --
>> BUT YOU DON'T KNOW. >> NO.
>> WE WERE GETTING CALLS IN FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ASKING
QUESTIONS. I SAID, I DON'T KNOW
>> Reporter: WHILE KRISTINE DOVE MIKE FRANTICALLY TEXTED.
SARAH, WHAT'S GOING ON WHY IS YOUR PHONE OFF?
CALL ME WHEN YOU GET THIS MES
MESSAGE. THINGS HAPPEN FASTER IN A SMALL
TOWN THAN THE BIG CITY >> POLICE DEPARTMENT
HELLO. ANYBODY HOME
ANNOUNCE YOURSELF, PLEASE. >> Reporter: OFFICERS CHECKED
THE STERN HOME - >> WE'RE CHECKING THE HOUSE.
>> Reporter: IT WAS EMPTY EXCEPT FOR SARAH'S BELOVED DOG BUDDY IN
HIS CRATE. >> GOOD DOGGY.
>> Reporter: NOBODY HOME >> MICHAEL CALLED ME THAT NIGHT
2:30, 3:00 IN THE MORNING, TO TELL ME THAT THE CAR WAS ON THE
BRIDGE, I -- MY THOUGHTS WERE NOT GOOD
>> Reporter: ROBIN DRAPER, AN OLD FRIEND OF THE STERNS, LIVED
ACROSS THE STREET. AT MIKE'S SUGGESTION OFFICERS
WALKED OVER AND ASKED HER ABOUT SARAH.
>> WHAT MINDSET WAS SHE IN TODAY WHEN SHE -- YOU DIDN'T SEE --
DID ANYBODY IN YOUR FAMILY TALK TO HER THIS MORNING, TODAY
>> SHE TEXT ME SHE SAID, CAN I BRING SOME STUFF
OVER IT'S MY MOTHER'S
I SAID, SURE >> IS SHE DEPRESSED?
>> DOES SHE -- YOU - >> I THINK SHE'S DEPRESSED
>> IS SHE -- NOT SUICIDAL IN ANY WAY, DO YOU THINK?
>> I DON'T KNOW. >> Reporter: ROBIN TOLD THE
OFFICERS SARAH HAD COME BY THE HOUSE EARLIER IN THE DAY WITH
HER FRIEND LIAM McATANSEY. SO, THE OFFICERS DROVE OVER TO
LIAM'S PLACE TO SEE IF HE COULD HELP
>> YOU'RE LIAM YOU HAVE A SECOND?
CAN I COME IN AND TALK TO YOU REAL QUICK
>> YEAH, NO PROBLEM OFFICER. >> IS SARAH HERE BY CHANCE
>> NO. >> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU
TALKED TO HER? >> WAS WITH HER TODAY.
>> WHAT TIME >> BEFORE I WENT TO WORK
>> TURN SOME LIGHT ON IF YOU DON'T MIND
>> I MEAN WE WENT TO GET FOOD TODAY.
>> Reporter: LIAM SAID HE HADN'T SEEN SARAH SINCE LATE AFTERNOON.
>> OKAY, AS SOON AS YOU HEAR ANYTHING CALL THE NEPTUNE CITY
OR NEPTUNE TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LET US KNOW
THANK YOU. >> Reporter: MIKE STERN HAD
NOTIFIED HIS EXTENDED FAMILY, INCLUDING SARAH'S COUSINS
LINDSEY AND LAUREN BAHR. >> WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO HEAR THAT
FOR THE TWO OF YOU >> INSTANT PANIC
>> YEAH. I TRIED CALLING HER PHONE,
SENDING HER TEXTS. DIDN'T ANSWER, WHICH WAS
AUTOMATICALLY WEIRD 'CAUSE SHE WAS GLUED TO HER PHONE
>> I LEFT THE HOUSE IN MY PAJAMAS, GOT IN MY CAR, AND
RACED DOWN TO THE -- WHERE THEY SAID THEY FOUND HER CAR TO SEE
IF WE COULD FIND ANYTHING, SEE ANYTHING
>> Reporter: JUST HOURS LATER, THEY WERE GATHERED WITH MOST OF
THE FAMILY AT MIKE AND SARAH'S HOUSE.
>> FAMILY WAS THERE. HIS SISTERS, SARAH'S COUSINS
THERE WAS ABOUT 30 TO 40 PEOPLE. >> Reporter: ALL KIND OF
FRANTIC. >> ALL KIND OF LIKE WHAT'S GOING
ON >> Reporter: SARAH'S FRIENDS AND
FAMILY BEGAN TO IMAGINE ALL TOO MANY THINGS.
INCLUDING ROBIN DRAPER'S DAUGHTER CARLY, A LIFE-LONG
FRIEND OF SARAH'S. >> I HEARD MY MOM ON THE PHONE
CRYING DOWNSTAIRS, AND SHE SAID THAT THEY FOUND SARAH'S CAR ON
THE BRIDGE >> YOU KNOW THE BRIDGE
>> I WENT DOWN THERE AFTER IT. >> THAT MORNING?
DID YOUR MIND GO AT ALL TO THE IDEA THAT SHE MAY HAVE JUMPED
OFF THE BRIDGE >> IT WAS ONE OF THE THOUGHTS IN
MY HEAD. I WAS, LIKE, DID SHE JUMP OFF A
BRIDGE I DIDN'T KNOW.
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, SARAH'S FATHER, ON HIS AGONIZING DRIVE
NORTH, WORRIED THAT SARAH MIGHT HAVE DONE SOMETHING TERRIBLY,
FATALLY, RASH. >> BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T KNOW
BECAUSE THE KEYS ARE IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS OPERATIONAL --
>> YEP >> -- AND SARAH WAS MISSING.
>> AND IT WAS LIKE TWO, THREE FEET FROM THAT PARAPET OVER THE
WATER. >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: SO MIKE IMAGINED AWFUL THINGS ON HIS 16-HOUR
DRIVE HOME BUT SURELY NEITHER HIS
IMAGINATION NOR ANY OTHER COULD STOOP SO DEEP AS WHAT YOU'RE
ABOUT TO SEE A CASE THAT STARTED ON A BRIDGE
WITH A CAR AND ENDED INSIDE ANOTHER --
>> HEY, HOW YOU DOING? HOW YOU DOING?
>> Reporter: WHAT DARK POSSIBILITIES LIE IN THE HUMAN
HEART, PRIMED BOTH FOR LOYALTY, AND BETRAYAL
>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WHERE WAS SARAH?
MAYBE THERE WAS A SIMPLE EXPLANATION.
EVERYONE KNEW SHE WANTED TO MOVE UP NORTH
>> SHE SAID SHE WANTS TO GO TO CANADA
>> BUT IF SHE HAD DONE THAT, >> Reporter: WHILE POLICE
OFFICERS ON THE ROUTE 35 BRIDGE WERE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE EARLY DARK OF DECEMBER 3rd, SARAH'S DAD
MIKE AND HIS GIRLFRIEND KRISTINE WERE FRANTICALLY DRIVING UP
HIGHWAY 95 FROM FLORIDA. THEIR MINDS WHIRLING AMONG
DREADFUL POSSIBILITIES >> WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING
ON AT THAT POINT SO IT WAS KIND OF A PANIC.
>> Reporter: BUT TO THE EXPERTS IN NEPTUNE THE POSSIBILITIES
WERE LIMITED >> THE FACTS THAT WE HAD AT THE
TIME -- THAT WE COULD GO ON WAS THAT THERE WAS A -- EITHER A
POSSIBLE SUICIDE, THAT SHE HAD JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE, OR THAT
SHE JUST LEFT HER CAR ABANDONED. THAT'S THE FACTS THAT WE HAD
>> Reporter: IT WAS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT IN THE LITTLE
TOWN OF NEPTUNE CITY THE PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR ED
KIRSCHENBAUM, KNEW SARAH >> I KNEW SARAH.
SHE WORKED AT -- A POPULAR RESTAURANT IN NEPTUNE CITY, WITH
MY DAUGHTER. >> YOU KNOW HER WELL ENOUGH TO
KNOW WHETHER OR NOT SHE WOULD BE A SUICIDE RISK OR --
>> YOU KNOW, ALL I KNOW OF SARAH, WHEN I SAW HER AT WORK,
VERY NICE PERSON >> Reporter: BUT, JUMP FROM A
BRIDGE INTO THE SHARK RIVER? WHY WOULD SHE?
SHE'D BEEN HAPPY ON THE BRINK OF NEW
POSSIBILITIES. AND NEPTUNE CITY ON THE JERSEY
SHORE HAD ALWAYS BEEN HER SAFE PLACE.
>> GOOD PLACE TO GROW UP >> YEAH.
I'M HAPPY THAT I GREW UP HERE.
>> Reporter: HERE, THEY SAY, THE SAND GETS IN YOUR SHOES.
PEOPLE TEND TO STAY. FAMILIES COUNT BACK GENERATIONS.
FRIENDSHIPS LAST WHOLE LIFETIMES.
>> EVERYBODY KNOWS EACH OTHER IN NEPTUNE.
>> IT'S A VERY TIGHTLY-KNIT COMMUNITY.
AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THAT PERSON, SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS
GONNA KNOW THAT PERSON >> Reporter: AND THE BLOCK WHERE
CARLY, HER BROTHER SAM, AND SARAH GREW UP WAS EVEN TIGHTER
A KIND OF KID HEAVEN THAT'S SARAH WITH THE DARK
BANGS. >> OUR AGE GAP BETWEEN, LIKE,
ALL THE KIDS WAS PROBABLY LIKE SIX YEARS AT THE MOST.
AND WE'D ALL JUST PLAY TOGETHER AFTER SCHOOL, THE NEIGHBORHOOD
GANG >> WE'VE KNOWN SARAH OUR WHOLE
LIFE >> SINCE SHE WAS BORN.
>> AND SHE WAS LIKE MY OLDER SISTER
LIKE, WE WERE LIKE SISTERS >> SHE WAS BASICALLY FAMILY.
LIKE, IF I WANTED TO PLAY CATCH OR SOMETHING, I COULD ALWAYS
JUST ASK SARAH >> Reporter: THAT SARAH WAS
ALWAYS THERE, THAT SHE WAS THERE AT ALL, WAS KIND OF AMAZING.
A GIFT >> SARAH
SHE WAS A MIRACLE CHILD. >> Reporter: THE ONLY CHILD OF
MIKE STERN AND HIS WIFE CARLA. >> SHE DIDN'T THINK SHE COULD
HAVE CHILDREN AND FINALLY SARAH CAME ALONG
>> I MEAN I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS KID
>> Reporter: ROBIN, CARLY AND SAM'S MOM, WAS THERE FROM THE
BEGINNING. >> CARLA AND I RAISED OUR KIDS
TOGETHER IT WAS AMAZING
>> DID THEY HANG OUT AT YOUR PLACE A LOT?
>> THEY DID. WE HAD A POOL.
SOMETIMES 10, 12 KIDS JUST SPLASHING AROUND FOR HOURS AND
HOURS. AND, IT WAS A GOOD TIME.
>> Reporter: UNTIL, IT WASN'T. IN 2013, WHEN SARAH WAS JUST 15,
HER MOM CARLA DIED AFTER A LONG STRUGGLE WITH CANCER
>> WHAT WAS LIKE WHEN HER MOTHER DIED
>> SARAH WAS AT OUR HOUSE THAT NIGHT.
ALL I REMEMBER IS JUST HEARING SARAH SOBBING DOWNSTAIRS
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO >> DID YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?
>> YEAH. >> YEAH.
JUST HARD, AND IT WAS SAD. >> Reporter: BUT, SARAH MANAGED.
INSTEAD OF TURNING INTO HER GRIEF, SHE REACHED OUT, GOT EVEN
CLOSER TO HER GRANDMOTHER. AND HER DOG BUDDY BECAME HER
CONSTANT COMPANION >> SHE LOVED BUDDY SO MUCH
SHE REALLY DID >> Reporter: SHE GREW CLOSER,
TOO, TO CLASSMATES AT NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL.
HER FRIEND LIAM, HIS TWIN SHEAMUS, PRESTON TAYLOR.
PRESTON TOOK HER TO THE JUNIOR PROM
JUST FRIENDS SHE ALSO MADE A DIFFERENT KIND
OF FRIEND. ONE YOU WOULDN'T NECESSARILY
EXPECT AFTER CARLA'S DEATH, MIKE FOUND
KRISTINE AND FELL IN LOVE. SARAH COULD SEE KRISTINE WAS
GOOD FOR HER DAD, AND, MAYBE, HER TOO.
>> I KNOW HOW SARAH FELT. I HAD GONE THROUGH THE SAME
THING SHE DID. >> YEAH.
>> MY MOM PASSED AWAY WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND IT WASN'T EASY AT
FIRST. >> Reporter: AND MAYBE THAT'S
WHY SARAH SO EMBRACED WHAT BECAME A GENUINE PASSION
>> I THINK MAKING ART MADE HER MENTALLY ESCAPE FROM THAT AND BE
CREATIVE AND CAN CREATE ANY KIND OF HAPPINESS SHE WANTED TO.
>> IT WAS A WHOLE OTHER WORLD FOR HER.
>> YEAH. >> WHERE SARAH PICKED UP HER
TALENT WE STILL DONT KNOW. >> IT WAS A NATURAL THING FOR
HER. >> IT SEEMED NATURAL
WHAT SHE TURNED OUT WAS -- >> IT'S PRETTY GOOD STUFF.
>> YEAH, SOME REALLY NEAT STUFF. SHE JUST STARTED DRAWING AND ANY
MEDIUM >> Reporter: BEAUTIFUL IMAGES,
MAGICAL EVEN SHE STARTED GOING TO CONVENTIONS
TO MEET ONLINE STARS AND ARTISTS.
GOT TO MEET YOUTUBE STARS LIKE JENNA MARBLES.
>> I'M SO HAPPY TO MEET YOU. >> THERE WAS A VIDCON CONVENTION
UP IN TORONTO. AND SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE
CITY SHE SAID WELL, SHE WANTS TO GO
TO CANADA. >> Reporter: WHEN SHE WAS READY,
MIKE TOLD HER. YES, BUT, SOON, SHE SAID
AND THEN IT WAS THAT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, WHEN SARAH DROPPED
BY THE DRAPER'S HOUSE. >> I HEARD HER WALK INSIDE AND
SHE WAS, LIKE, CALLING MY MOM'S NAME
I -- I WAS THE ONLY ONE HOME SHE SAID THAT -- SHE HAD TEXTED
MY MOM THAT SHE WAS LEAVING A BOX HERE, AND MY MOM SAID IT WAS
OKAY SARAH WAS TALKING ABOUT HER DAD,
HOW SHE HAD, LIKE, LOST RESPECT FOR HIM.
>> DID THAT SEEM STRANGE TO YOU? >> NOT REALLY 'CAUSE I KNEW -- I
KNEW THAT, LIKE, THEY, LIKE, YOU KNOW, ARGUED
BUT I -- I ARGUE WITH MY PARENTS ALL THE TIME
>> SO IT WASN'T ANYTHING UNUSUAL?
>> NO. >> Reporter: AS CARLY TOLD IT,
SARAH LEFT THAT BIN, AND THEN SHE WAS GONE RUNNING ERRANDS,
SHE SAID, IN HER GRANDMOTHER'S OLD CAR.
THE VERY CAR THAT UBER DRIVER SPOTTED AFTER MIDNIGHT,
ABANDONED HALFWAY ACROSS THE ROUTE 35 BRIDGE.
>> AND WAS THERE ANYBODY INSIDE THE VEHICLE?
>> I LOOKED. NO
>> Reporter: THE NEWS SPREAD THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING.
FIRST RESPONDERS DESCENDED ON THE BRIDGE AND THE SHARK RIVER
BENEATH IT THERE WAS A DEPRESSING LOGIC TO
THE SCENE THAT GREETED THEM. IT WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TIME
SOME DESPERATE SOUL HAD TAKEN A FINAL LEAP
BUT, THIS WAS BRIGHT, HAPPY, SARAH STERN.
SO IT COULDN'T BE THAT, COULD IT
>> COMING UP - THE EERIE, LAST IMAGES OF SARAH
SARAH STERN'S CAR WAS FOUND ABANDONED ON THE ROUTE
35 BRIDGE, THE RISING SUN REVEALED DOZENS OF FIRST
RESPONDERS SEARCHING FOR HER, MANY BRAVING THE FRIGID WATERS
OF THE SHARK RIVER >> WE HAD CALLED THE STATE
POLICE WE HAD THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
THERE. WE HAD DIVERS ENTER THE WATER.
A VESSEL WITH SIGHT SONAR, PLUS AN AVIATION UNIT FROM THE STATE
POLICE >> WE GOT CALLED OUT AT AROUND
5:00 A.M. THAT MORNING TO DO A SEARCH FOR SOMEONE WHO THEY
BELIEVED WENT OFF THE BRIDGE WE HAD NO IDEA WHO IT WAS.
THE GENERAL CONCEPTION WAS THAT SOMEONE HAD JUMPED
>> FRAN HINES IS AN EMS AND RESCUE DIRECTOR.
>> WE WERE IN IT A COUPLE OF HOURS SOMEBODY WALKED UP TO ME
THEY SAID, YOU KNOW WHO WE'RE LOOKIN' FOR, RIGHT
AND I GO, NO, WHO WE LOOKIN' FOR?
AND HE -- AND THEY SAID, SARAH STERN, WHICH JUST PUT A
LUMP IN MY THROAT. >> Reporter: UNDERSTANDABLE
BECAUSE -- >> SARAH LIVED TWO HOUSES AWAY
FROM US. THEIR WHOLE FAMILY
HER FATHER, MICHAEL, WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND THEN ALL I
COULD THINK ABOUT WAS, YOU KNOW, HOW -- HOW'S HE GONNA FEEL NOW
>> Reporter: WHILE THE WATER SEARCH WAS UNDERWAY, COPS IN
TOWN WERE TALKING TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT KNOW ANYTHING.
THEY ENCOUNTERED A FEW OF SARAH'S FRIENDS, PRESTON, SEAN,
AND LIAM CLUSTERED ON A PORCH. >> WE JUST WANT SEE IF SHE'S
OKAY >> Reporter: BODY CAMS PICKE
UP THEIR QUESTIONS DID SARAH JUST TAKE OFF?
WERE HER PALS COVERING FOR HER >> NOBODY'S GONNA GET IN ANY
TROUBLE HERE WE -- TRUST ME, WE JUST GOTTA
MAKE SURE SARAH'S ALL RIGHT. AND IF YOU'VE GOT ANY MORE
INFORMATION, YOU GOTTA THROW THAT AT US SO WE CAN GO A LITTLE
FURTHER, YOU KNOW? >> Reporter: SARAH'S FRIEND LIAM
CONFIRMED FOR POLICE WHAT ROBIN AND CARLY DRAPER HAD SAID, THAT
SARAH HAD LEFT A BIN OF HER THINGS AT THE DRAPER HOUSE
AND THEN, HE SAID, HE AND SARAH WENT TO LUNCH TOGETHER
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE INLET, THE SEARCH OF THE FRIGID SHARK
RIVER WAS TURNING UP NOTHING AS THE WINTER SUN SET, IT BECAME
TOO COLD AND DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS, AND THE
SEARCH WAS CALLED OFF FOR THE DAY.
>> I DIDN'T WANNA GO HOME, YOU KNOW
I DIDN'T WANNA DRIVE PAST MIKE'S HOUSE AND NOT HAVE SOME KINDA
CLOSURE FOR HIM. >> Reporter: BUT MIKE AND K
KRISTIN WERE STILL MAKING THEIR WAY HOME FROM FLORIDA.
>> WE LEFT AROUND 3:30 IN THE MORNING.
WE GOT HOME AT 7:00 SATURDAY NIGHT.
>> Reporter: KRISTINE AND MIKE ARRIVED TO A PACKED HOUSE.
>> WE JUST ALL STARTED PUTTING IDEAS AND THINGS THAT COULD'VE
HAPPENED >> HOW WAS HE IS DOING AT THAT
POINT? >> I THINK HE WAS IN SHOCK
>> YEAH. >> Reporter: MIKE HEADED FOR THE
BRIDGE >> WHAT DID YOU FIRST FIND HERE
WHEN YOU CAME HERE >> WE DIDN'T KNOW.
ALL UNKNOWN. BY THE TIME WE WERE BACK, THE --
THE DIVE CREWS AND THE -- EVERYBODY HAD ALREADY LEFT
SO, IT WAS NIGHT COULDN'T DO MUCH AT NIGHT.
>> Reporter: BY THE NEXT MORNING THE MONMOUTH COUNTY PROSECUTORS
OFFICE WAS RUNNING THE MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATION.
BRIAN WEISBROT WAS THE LEAD DETECTIVE.
>> WE HAD SPOKEN WITH NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS OF SARAH'S, FAMILY
MEMBERS, FAMILY FRIENDS. THERE'S A HOUSE ACROSS THE
STREET FROM SARAH'S HOUSE THAT HAD A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERA
FACING SARAH'S HOME. >> DID YOU SEE ANYTHING ON THOSE
VIDEOS >> WE DID.
WE WERE ABLE TO SEE HER -- HER VEHICLE LEAVE MULTIPLE TIMES
THROUGHOUT THE DAY >> Reporter: FROM THOSE
SURVEILLANCE VIDEOS AND THEIR INTERVIEWS, INVESTIGATORS
STARTED PIECING TOGETHER SARAH'S DAY.
>> SHE HAD CARRIED A BIN AND A BOX ACROSS THE STREET TO HER
NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE >> Reporter: THAT WAS CARLY AND
ROBIN DRAPER'S HOUSE AFTER THAT, SARAH AND HER FRIEND
LIAM WENT TO LUNCH AT TACO BELL. THE RESTAURANT'S SECURITY
CAMERAS HAD HER THERE AT 2:18 P.M
LATER, SHE STOPPED BY A BANK IN BRADLEY BEACH.
SECURITY CAMERAS INDICATED THAT WAS A LITTLE BEFORE 3:00 P.M.
AND THE BRANCH MANAGER, AN OLD FRIEND OF THE STERN FAMILY,
REMEMBERED HER WAVING HELLO. >> COULD YOU TELL LOOKING AT THE
VIDEO WHAT HER DEMEANOR WAS? I MEAN, DID SHE SEEM FRIGHTENED
OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? >> NO, SHE DIDN'T.
SHE APPEARED HAPPY SHE SMILED
SHE COMMUNICATED WITH THE STAFF THERE WHO SHE HAD KNOWN FOR MANY
YEARS. >> Reporter: BUT AFTER THAT
FRIENDLY WAVE, SARAH SEEMED TO HAVE DROPPED OFF THE PLANET.
THE CONTENTS OF THAT MYSTERIOUS BIN SARAH LEFT AT THE DRAPERS
DIDN'T HELP INVESTIGATORS AT ALL.
>> IT WAS ALL JUST MISCELLANEOUS THINGS
IT WAS HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS THERE WERE SOME COINS FROM HER
GRANDPARENTS >> LIKE WHAT YOU WOULD PUT IN
THE BOTTOM DRAW OF A BUREAU OF PERSONAL STUFF THAT YOU DON'T
KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH >> RIGHT
>> Reporter: DAY AFTER DAY OF SEARCHING THE SHARK RIVER AND
IT'S SHORELINE PROVED FRUITLESS. THE LOCAL CRIME STOPPERS POSTED
A $5,000 REWARD. >> WE HAD PREPARED SOME FLIERS
SEEKING INFORMATION IN AN EFFORT TO LOCATE SARAH'S WHEREABOUTS.
>> VOLUNTEERS ARE HELPING POLICE TODAY SEARCH FOR A BELOVED
MISSING NEPTUNE CITY TEENAGER. >> Reporter: IT ALL YIELDED
NOTHING. SO, A WEEK AFTER SARAH WAS LAST
SEEN HER FAMILY ORGANIZED A SEARCH AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
SHOWED UP. THEY WALKED THE BEACHES AND
STREETS AND PARKS OF NEPTUNE AND BELMAR AND OCEAN GROVE
MIKE STERN WAS STEADY, ALMOST STOIC, WHEN HE TALKED TO
FIOS1 NEWS >> WE'RE JUST HOPING TO SEARCH
ANY POSSIBLE AREA WITH MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST THE LOCAL
AUTHORITIES BECAUSE WE JUST -- IT'S A BIG AREA.
>> THIS WAS A HUGE SEARCH. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CAME.
>> UH-HUH. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE, YEAH
>> PEOPLE WITH DIDN'T EVEN KNOW, OUT OF TOWN, UP NORTH.
>> YEAH. THERE WAS PEOPLE FROM, I THINK,
AS FAR OUT AS PENNSYLVANIA >> Reporter: MANY OF SARAH'S
FRIENDS JOINED THE SEARCH. AN OLD CLASSMATE SEAN.
>> I MET HER BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL
IT'S SHOCKING. I JUST HOPE WE CAN FIND HER.
>> Reporter: HER FRIEND LIAM >> SHE WAS PRETTY STRONG
SO, HOPEFULLY WE'RE GONNA FIND SOMETHING TODAY.
>> Reporter: THE SEARCH FOR 19 YEAR-OLD SARAH BECAME ONE OF
THE BIGGEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE JERSEY SHORE
BUT IF SARAH ENDED UP IN THE SHARK RIVER, THESE LOCALS KNEW
THE LIKELY, GRIM OUTCOME >> ONCE THAT TIDE STARTS RIPPING
OUT, IT MOVES QUICKLY. >> OUT IT GOES
>> RIGHT OUT THE INLET, CORRECT. >> Reporter: THE MASSIVE SEARCH
TURNED UP NO SIGN OF SARAH WEEKS WENT BY.
SO, WAS SHE SWEPT OUT TO SEA OR AS MANY AROUND TOWN BEGAN TO
THINK, SHE MUST BE ALIVE AND WELL AND UNAWARE THAT PEOPLE
WERE LOOKING FOR HER MAYBE SHE WAS JUST LIVING HER
LIFE SOMEWHERE ELSE. >>> COMING UP --
THE SECRET IN SARAH'S SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX.
>> $25,250 CASH. *
>> Reporter: DETECTIVES WORKING
THE SARAH STERN MISSING PERSON CASE IN NEPTUNE CITY HAD NOTHING
BUT THEORIES IN DECEMBER OF 2016
SOME SUSPECTED SHE SIMPLY WALKED AWAY FROM THAT OLD CAR TO START
A NEW LIFE BUT THERE WAS OTHER, MORE
SINISTER, SPECULATION, TOO >> WE STILL HAD NO CLEAR
INDICATION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO SARAH
>> Reporter: SO, THEORIES. MAYBE SHE RAN AWAY
MAYBE SHE WAS THE VICTIM OF SOME SORT OF CRIME.
MAYBE SHE THREW HERSELF OFF THE BRIDGE
BUT THOSE WHO KNEW SARAH BEST, LIKE CARLY AND SAM DRAPER,
WEREN'T BUYING THE SUICIDE THEORY
>> SHE COULDN'T HAVE JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE
SHE ASKED ME TO HANG OUT THAT NIGHT.
>> Reporter: THEIR MINDS KEPT GOING BACK TO THE LAST TIME
CARLY SAW SARAH. THE AFTERNOON OF DECEMBER 2nd,
JUST BEFORE SHE VANISHED, WHEN SHE'D STOPPED BY THEIR HOUSE AND
DROPPED OFF THOSE THINGS >> I LOOKED IN THE BOX AND IT
WAS JUST, LIKE, COINS AND DIFFERENT LITTLE TRINKETS.
>> Reporter: SARAH EXPLAINED SHE WAS JUST CLEANING HOUSE.
BUT CARLY COULD TELL SARAH HAD SOMETHING ELSE THE SAY
>> SHE SEEMED REALLY HAPPY WHEN SHE CAME OVER.
LIKE, REALLY HAPPY >> LIKE SHE MADE A DECISION
HAPPY? >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: A BIG ONE SARAH SAID SHE'D DECIDED TO
LEAVE TOWN LEAVE NEPTUNE BEHIND, STRIKE OUT
FOR CANADA TO START HER LIFE AS AN ARTIST.
>> IT WASN'T 'TIL THAT DAY, SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS GOING TO MOVE
THERE. >> LIKE THIS WAS SOME SORT OF
SUDDEN CHANGE IN HER DECISION MAKING
>> I WOULDN'T CALL IT SUDDEN BECAUSE SHE HAD TALKED ABOUT HOW
MUCH SHE LIKED CANADA BEFORE BUT SHE DIDN'T SAY SHE WAS
MOVING THAT DAY. SHE JUST SAID SHE WAS MOVING TO
CANADA AND THAT SHE FOUND MONEY
>> Reporter: WAIT. MONEY?
WHAT MONEY FROM WHAT SARAH TOLD CARLY IT
APPEARED SARAH HAD NOT ONLY A REASON TO LEAVE, BUT THE MEANS
IT UNTIL DECEMBER 2, 2016. >> THAT VERY DAY
>> THAT LAST DAY
>> SHE SAID SHE FOUND A SAFE IN THE HOUSE THEY HAD IN AVON
SHE TOLD ME NOT TO TELL ANYONE >> Reporter: SARAH TOLD CARLY
SHE'D FOUND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT HAD BEEN HIDDEN IN AN OLD
HOUSE HER DAD OWNED IN A NEIGHBORING TOWN
A SECRET BUT OF COURSE, CARLY HAD TO TELL
THE DETECTIVES AND THEY WERE VERY INTERESTED.
>> SO THEN WHAT DID YOU DO, GO TALK TO THE BANKER
>> WE DID. SHE HAD MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS AT THE
BANK, INCLUDING A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX.
ON THE DAY OF HER DISAPPEARANCE, SHE HAD ACTUALLY ACCESSED THAT
SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX >> MAYBE SHE WAS PLANNING TO
TAKE OFF AND RUN AWAY AND TAKE SOME MONEY WITH HER?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: THEY GOT A SEARCH
WARRANT FOR SARAH'S SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX.
>> AT WHICH POINT WE HAD LEARNED WHAT WAS ACTUALLY INSIDE
>> WHICH WAS WHAT? >> 25,000 U.S. CASH CURRENCY
>> THAT WAS STILL IN THERE WHEN YOU GOT THERE?
>> CORRECT THE MONEY WAS IN VERY POOR
CONDITION. THE MONEY WAS VERY BRITTLE
AND WHEN YOU WOULD HANDLE THE BILLS -- A LOT OF TIMES, THEY
WOULD JUST DETERIORATE IN YOUR HAND
>> $25,000 A KID WHO HAD THAT KIND OF
MONEY. >> IT'S A LOT OF MONEY
>> WHERE DID THIS MONEY COME FROM
>> SARAH'S MOTHER HAD SAVED THIS MONEY FOR SARAH.
>> BIT BY BIT SQUIRRELLED IT AWAY
>> PERHAPS AND THAT SARAH WAS AT THE HOUSE,
LOOKING THROUGH SOME OF THEIR BELONGINGS AND HAD COME ACROSS
THIS MONEY >> Reporter: BUT ALL OF THIS, A
POSSIBLE DECISION ABOUT GOING TO CANADA, THE FOUND MONEY, ALL OF
THIS WAS NEWS TO MIKE STERN. >> DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT AT
ALL? >> NO.
>> Reporter: BUT AS HE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, SAID MIKE, IT STARTED
TO MAKE SENSE THAT HIS LATE WIFE WOULD HAVE GRADUALLY HIDDEN CASH
AWAY IN HIS OTHER HOUSE, WHICH, ONE DAY, HER DAUGHTER COULD
INHERIT. A GIFT, OF SORTS
>> MY WIFE, SHE WAS -- SHE WAS A SAVER.
>> SHE WOULD HAVE STUFFED IT IN SOME SECRET SPOT
>> YEAH. I WISH I HAD KNOWN
>> Reporter: ANYWAY, HE SAID, SARAH MUST HAVE DISCOVERED THE
MONEY A FEW MONTHS BEFORE SHE VANISHED
>> IT SURPRISES ME THAT THAT ALL HAPPENED IN SECRET
>> YEAH. >> AND SHE STARTED LOOKING, I
GUESS. >> THEN IT BECAME SARAH'S
SECRET >> YEAH.
>> Reporter: BUT, THE MONEY WAS STILL IN THE BANK.
WOULD SHE LEAVE WITHOUT IT >> AFTER WE FOUND THAT MONEY IN
HER SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX, THAT TOLD US THAT SHE LIKELY DID NOT
LEAVE. >> BECAUSE SHE WOULDN'T LEAVE
THAT THERE >> CORRECT
WE HAD ALSO LOCATED HER U.S. PASSPORT, HER SOCIAL SECURITY
CARD AND U.S. AND CANADIAN CURRENCY INSIDE HER BEDROOM.
ALL THOSE FACTORS PUT TOGETHER, SARAH STERN DID NOT LEAVE.
>> Reporter: COLD COMFORT TO SARAH'S FATHER BECAUSE THAT LEFT
SOMETHING MUCH WORSE >> MR. STERN WAS DOWN AT THOSE
DOCKS EVERY DAY WALKING THE DOCKS, WALKING THE SHORELINE
JUST WOULDN'T GIVE UP HOPE >> YOU WOULD SEE HIM OUT THERE
>> I DID, I DID. >> WHAT DID YOU THINK?
>> MY HEART BROKE FOR HIM. FOR A FATHER TO NOT KNOW THE
WHEREABOUTS OF HIS DAUGHTER, IT WAS DEVASTATING.
>> Reporter: AND MIKE STERN HAD NO INKLING OF THE SEA CHANGE
ABOUT TO OCCUR IN THE SEARCH FOR HIS MISSING DAUGHTER
A PHONE CALL FROM ANOTHER STATE TRANSFORMS THE CASE.
>> IT SHIFTED FROM A MISSING IT WAS A FRIGID TWO MONTHS ON
THE JERSEY SHORE. ORGANIZED SEARCHES FOR SARAH
STERN DWINDLED AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED AND
GRADUALLY THE STORY FADED FROM THE NEWS CYCLE.
A 19 YEAR OLD ASPIRING ARTIST WHO VANISHED INTO THIN AIR.
AND HE AUTHORITIES WERE BAFFLED.
DID YOU GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU THINK THIS WAS GOING
WE WERE AT A STANDSTILL. WE WERE AT A DEAD END.
WITH NO ACTIVITY ON HER SOCIAL MEDIA, OR HER PHONE, OR HER
BANK ACCOUNTS, AND NO CREDIBLE SIGHTING OF ANY SORT, THE
CHANCE THAT SARAH SIMPLY RAN AWAY SEEMED VANISHINGLY SLIM.
THE ONE THING THAT WE KNEW, AND THAT WAS THAT SHE LIKELY
DIDN'T LEAVE-- SO SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED TO
THAT GIRL? AS WE PROGRESSED, WE BEGAN
THINKING THAT THAT WAS A POSSIBILITY, ABSOLUTLY.
MIKE AND KRISTINE KEPT LOOKING FOR ANY SCRAP OF A CLUE,
HANDING OUT SARAH'S PHOTO TO BOAT CAPTAINS HEADING OUT TO
SEA WAS THERE A MOMENT WHEN YOU
WHEN YOU KNEW YOU'D LOST HER. THAT SHE WAS GONE.
NO, I NEVER WANTED TO THINK WHO WOULD? RIGHT.
CARLY WAS STILL SEARCHING TOO.. . WANTING TO BELIEVE
SARAH HAD STARTED OVER IN ANOTHER PLACE..SHE MESSAGED
SARAH EVERY NIGHT ON INSTAGRAM I WOULD JUST SAY RANDOM THINGS
LIKE, "IF YOU'RE-- IF YOU'RE ALIVE, LIKE, CREATE A FAKE
DISNEY ACCOUNT," BECAUSE SHE LOVED DISNEYWORLD AND
EVERYTHING DISNEY. I WAS LIKE, "CREATE A FAKE DISNEY COUNT--
ACCOUNT AND FOLLOW ME ON IT, AND I'LL KNOW YOU'RE OKAY."
YOU WERE JUST DESPERATE TO KNOW.
WHAT DID YOU GET BACK? NOTHING.
IT HAD BEEN TWO MONTHS. AND THEN...?
THEN A YOUNG MAN IN BROOKLYN, NY, CALLED HIS DAD BACK IN
NEPTUNE CITY.. SAID HE WAS DESPERATE FOR SOME PARENTAL
ADVICE. HIS NAME WAS ANTHONY CURRY. HE
WAS 19-YEARS-OLD. A HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE OF SARAH'S
WHO'D MOVED TO NEW YORK TO FULFIL A LIFELONG AMBITION TO
MAKE MOVIES. BUT THAT NIGHT HE WAS VERY
TROUBLED. AND WHEN HIS DAD EDDIE HEARD
WHY.. HE CALLED DETECTIVE MIKE BONANNO.
I KNOW THE FAMILY VERY WELL. KNOWN ANTHONY SINCE HE WAS
YOUNG. EDDIE WAS CONCERNED THAT HE HAD SOME INFORMATION
ON THIS, WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO SARAH/
10:02:33;18I WAS SHOCKED. DETECTIVES MET WITH ANTHONY
AND HIS DAD. THE YOUNG MAN TOLD THEM ABOUT A SPOOKY
CONVERSATION WITH A MUTUAL FRIEND OF HIS AND SARAH'S.
IT TOOK PLACE ON THANKSGIVING EVENING, HE SAID -- EIGHT DAYS
BEFORE SARAH VANISHED. THE FRIEND TOLD ANTHONY A
HORRIFYING TALE: ABOUT A PLAN THAT HE HAD-- TO
ROB SARAH OF HER MONEY AND TO KILL HER, STRANGLE HER, AND
THROW HER OVER THE BRIDGE. AND HOW DID ANTHONY TAKE THIS,
AS-- AS A REAL THING OR WHAT? NO. HE DISMISSED IT. HE
THOUGHT IT WAS-- LIKE, THIS KID WAS JUST
PITCHING HIM A MOVIE IDEA? YEAH. HE COMPLETELY DISMISSED
ANTHONY HAD BEEN MAKING MOVIES SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL -- QUITE A
FEW OF THEM HORROR FILMS SO THIS WASN'T AS FAR-FETCHED
AS IT SOUNDS. ANTHONY DROVE HOME TO BROOKLYN
THAT THANKSGIVING NIGHT. DIDN'T GIVE HIS PAL'S GORY
MOVIE PITCH ANOTHER THOUGHT ... UNTIL:
HE LEARNED FROM SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO SARAH.
AND, WHEN ANTHONY CURRY SAW ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT, EXACTLY
LIKE IN HIS PAL'S MOVIE PITCH, SARAH'S CAR WAS ON THE ROUTE
35 BRIDGE, HE GOT A BAD FEELING.
WHICH TURNED TO ALARM WHEN HIS FRIEND REACHED OUT TO HIM A
FEW DAYS LATER. THAT MESSAGE THAT WAS SENT VIA
SNAPCHAT SAID, "HAVE THE POLICE SPOKEN TO YOU?" AND
ANTHONY RESPONDED THAT THEY HAD NOT. IT WAS FROM THAT
MOMENT THAT ANTHONY CURRY BELIEVED THAT HE MAY HAVE HAD
SOMETHING TO DO WITH SARAH'S DISAPPEARANCE.
ALL THOSE LITTLE CLUES THAT DIDN'T FIT TOGETHER --SARAH'S
LAST CONVERSATION WITH CARLY, THE MYSTERIOUS OLD CASH, SARAH
LEAVING HER STUFF AT THE DRAPERS' -- WERE RECONSIDERED
IN THE LIGHT OF ANTHONY CURRY'S STORY.
THOUGH MONMOUTH COUNTY PROSECUTOR CHRIS GRAMICCIONI,
STILL HAD QUESTIONS..ABOUT ANTHONY.
BASED ON THE STORY HE TOLD US, THE QUESTION AROSE, "HOW COME
YA DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SARAH WENT
MISSING, WHEN YA HEARD ABOUT IT?" WE HAVE EXPERIENCED
INVESTIGATORS THAT WERE ON THIS CASE THAT INTERVIEWED
HIM. AND IN DOING SO, HIS CREDIBILITY AND VERACITY IS
BEING TESTED THOROUGHLY. AND HE PASSED THE TEST. THE
PROSECUTOR AND DETECTIVES DECIDED ANTHONY WAS CREDIBLE
AND HIS STORY WAS REAL. WITHOUT ANTHONY, WE'RE NOT
SITTIN' HERE TALKIN' TO YOU TODAY.
AND FROM THAT MOMENT, EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT.
IT SHIFTED FROM A MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATION INTO A
HOMICIDE. EXCEPT.. THE MAJOR CASE SQUAD
REALLY HAD NOTHING BUT SUSPICIONS.
AND WHAT WE HAD DECIDED WAS THAT WE WERE GONNA ASK ANTHONY
IF HE'D BE WILLING TO ESSENTIALLY WORK WITH US.
WHAT'D HE SAY? HE AGREED
SO THE DETECTIVES ENLISTED ANTHONY IN THEIR PLAN.
HOW YOU DOIN? HE WOULD BE THEIR BAIT IN AN
ELABORATE AND DANGEROUS TRAP BUT WHAT MIGHT THEY CAPTURE
...? OH MY .. THEY HAD NO IDEA.
THAT'S NOT EVEN THE WORSE PART.
COMING UP... WHAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO
WITNESS WOULD STUN THESE SEASONED DETECTIVES:
IT WAS CHILLING. WE COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT WE WERE HEARING.
THE REVELATION THAT WOULD DEVASTATE SARAH'S DAD:
IT LITERALLY SUCKED LIFE OUT OF ME. ITS UNFATHOMABLE.
* *
>> Reporter: HE HAD BEEN DIRECTING AND ACTING IN HORROR
MOVIES FOR YEARS NOW, ANTHONY CURRY MUST HAVE
FELT LIKE HE WAS LIVING ONE. >> THE APPROXIMATE TIME IS 6:20
P.M. I'VE PLACED AN ELECTRONIC
RECORDING DEVICE ON ANTHONY CURRY.
>> Reporter: ANTHONY HAD BEEN CAST AS THE LEAD ACTOR IN AN
ELABORATE STING. A DANGEROUS RUSE CRAFTED TO GET
A MUTUAL FRIEND OF HIS AND SARAH STERN'S TO IMPLICATE
HIMSELF IN HER DISAPPEARANCE >> HEY, HOW YOU DOING?
HOW YOU DOING? >> Reporter: THE DETECTIVES
SCRIPTED A PHONE CALL DESIGNED TO GET ANTHONY'S FRIEND TALKING.
THE TEENAGE FILMMAKER WOULD PRETEND HE NEEDED MONEY TO
REPLACE A BROKEN CAMERA. IF HIS BUDDY HAD GONE THROUGH
WITH HIS PLAN TO ROB SARAH, HE SHOULD BE FLUSH.
POLICE RECORDED THE CALL >> MY [ BLEEP ] CAMERA BROKE,
DOG. >> HOW'D THAT HAPPEN
>> I [ BLEEP ] DROPPED IT ON A SHOOT.
IT [ BLEEP ] FELL INTO A BUCKET OF BLOOD
>> DAMN. >> YEAH, DUDE.
I HAVE NO [ BLEEP ] CASH TO PAY FOR ANYTHING
YOU CAN SPOT ME SOME CASH FROM THAT -- FROM THAT GIRL'S MONEY,
RIGHT? >> UH, MAYBE
>> Reporter: THE FRIEND WOULDN'T SAY MUCH MORE.
HE SEEMED CAUTIOUS >> I DON'T REALLY WANT TO TALK
ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW >> I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.
>> Reporter: BUT ANTHONY DID GET THE GUY TO AGREE TO MEET IN
PERSON MAYBE HE'D OPEN UP THEN?
>> I'LL SEE YOU FRIDAY THEN. >> ALL RIGHT
>> Reporter: THE LOCATION, THIS PARKING AREA ASIDE THE BOARDWALK
IN BRADLEY BEACH DESOLATE IN THE DEAD OF WINTER
INVESTIGATORS WIRED UP ANTHONY'S CAR.
>> WE DO SET UP THE CAR FOR AUDIO AND VIDEO.
>> IS THERE A LITTLE CAMERA IN THERE?
>> THERE WAS A CAMERA IN THERE >> Reporter: IF THEIR SUSPECT
WAS A KILLER, WHAT MIGHT HE DO TO ANTHONY IF HE SUSPECTED A
TRAP SO THEY KNEW THIS WAS DANGEROUS.
THEY TAILED ANTHONY'S CAR. >> WE HAD SURVEILLANCE UNITS ON
EITHER SIDE. WE WERE MONITORING EVERYTHING
LIVE >> Reporter: IT WAS JUST BEFORE
MIDNIGHT WHEN ANTHONY DROVE TOWARDS THE MEET POINT
YOU CAN SEE HIS HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL
>> SO, ANTHONY WAS LISTENING TO HIS MUSIC TO RELAX HIM
AND -- HE -- HE WAS GAME READY HE WASN'T PLAYING.
>> Reporter: ANTHONY PARKED AND MINUTES LATER, THEIR SUSPECT
CLIMBED INTO THE CAR >> WHAT'S GOOD, MONEY?
>> WHAT'S HAPPENING, BUDDY >> HOW YOU DOING
HOW YOU DOING? >> GOOD.
HOW YOU DOING? >> YOU WANT A CIGARETTE?
>> NO, I'M GOOD. I QUIT THAT [ BLEEP ].
>> Reporter: IT WAS LIAM McATASNEY, SARAH'S FRIEND.
THE GUY WHO SPENT THE DAY WITH HER A FEW HOURS BEFORE SHE
VANISHED >> WHAT WERE YOU DOING
>> SITTING AROUND. >> Reporter: AND WHAT LIAM DID
NEXT TERRORIZED THE LISTENING DETECTIVES
HE REACHED OVER AND SEARCHED ANTHONY FOR A WIRE
>> DUDE, YOU CAN'T BLAME ME FOR DOING THIS, RIGHT?
I GOTTA FEEL YOU UP REAL QUICK ALL
ALL RIGHT? NO DISRESPECT.
NO DISRESPECT, OKAY? >> HE STARTS PATTING HIM DOWN.
AND WE'RE LISTENING TO THAT IN THE CAR AND THINGS BECAME VERY,
VERY REAL AT THAT MOMENT >> Reporter: AND THEN, JUST AS
SUDDENLY, THE TENSION BROKE. LIAM STOPPED SEARCHING
EXPLAINED THE COPS HAD BEEN ON HIS TAIL
>> ABOUT WHAT? >> ABOUT KILLING SARAH
>> Reporter: ANTHONY SAT BACK AND LISTENED TO LIAM
THE OFFICERS HUNG ON EVERY WORD. >> AND NOT EVEN -- THAT'S NOT
EVEN THE WORST PART. >> IT WAS CHILLING
I MEAN, WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER. WE COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT WE WERE
HEARING. >> IT NAUSEATED ME
>> Reporter: AND THEN THE COPS HEARD SOMETHING ELSE
LIAM WASN'T IN THIS ALONE. HE HAD AN ACCOMPLICE
>> THE TWO OF US >> Reporter: THEY TALKED FOR
20 MINUTES BEFORE LIAM SLIPPED OUT INTO THE NIGHT
>> IT WAS GOOD TALKING TO YOU, MAN.
>> GOOD TALKING TO YOU >> TAKE IT EASY, BRO
>> Reporter: THE DETECTIVES MONITORING THE APPALLING
CONVERSATION IN THE CAR HAD HEARD WHAT THEY NEEDED
THEY KEPT LIAM UNDER SURVEILLANCE WHILE WARRANTS WERE
DRAWN UP AND BASED ON WHAT HE'D SAID TO
ANTHONY CURRY IN THAT CAR -- >> YOU DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT IT?
>> Reporter: THEY ARRESTED LIAM McATASNEY
LIAM, WHO'D SEEMED SO HELPFUL WHEN HE TOLD POLICE HE'D BEEN
WITH SARAH THAT LAST DAY >> I MEAN, WE WENT TO GET FOOD
TODAY. >> Reporter: LIAM WHO'D
VOLUNTARILY GONE DOWNTOWN TO TELL DETECTIVES ABOUT HIS GREAT
FRIEND SARAH >> WHAT DOES SHE DO DURING THE
DAY? >> SHE DRAWS
SHE WATCHES YOUTUBE VIDEOS SHE WALKS HER DOG.
>> Reporter: LIAM WHO'D JOINED THE SEARCH FOR HER, WHO'D GONE
ON TV TO PRAISE HER. >> SHE'S PRETTY STRONG
SO HOPEFULLY WE'RE GONNA FIND SOMETHING TODAY.
>> TURN AROUND AND FACE THE WALL
>> Reporter: THERE WERE DIFFERENT CAMERAS ON HIM THIS
DAY. >> YOU'RE BEING CHARGED WITH
MURDER, FELONY MURDER, FIRST DEGREE ROBBERY, DESECRATION OF
HUMAN REMAINS. >> Reporter: THE OTHER ARREST,
WAS EVERY BIT AS STUNNING. >> WE'LL BE RIGHT WITH YOU
OKAY, MAN. >> Reporter: IT WAS LIAM'S
ALLEGED ACCOMPLICE 19-YEAR-OLD PRESTON TAYLOR
AND, IF HE LOOKS FAMILIAR, WELL THAT'S BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY
RECOGNIZE HIM FROM SARAH'S JUNIOR PROM PHOTO.
PRESTON WAS HER DATE WHO WERE THESE YOUNG MEN,
ACCUSED OF THESE HORRIFIC CRIMES
>> PRESTON AND LIAM, HOW CLOSE WERE THEY?
>> THEY WERE CLOSE THEY WERE FRIENDS.
THEY HAD KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THEY HAD JUST RECENTLY MOVED INTO A HOUSE TOGETHER.
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS HAD TWO MOST UNLIKELY MURDER
SUSPECTS LIAM McATASNEY WAS A COLLEGE
SOPHOMORE STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY. HE'D WORKED WITH SARAH SUMMERS
ON THE BEACH, BUT HE'D KNOWN HER, HAD BEEN HER FRIEND, SINCE
FIRST GRADE. HE HAD NO CRIMINAL RECORD.
AND PRESTON TAYLOR, ALSO A COLLEGE STUDENT, ECONOMICS AND
POLITICAL SCIENCE, A FRIEND OF SARAH'S SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.
HE WORKED PART TIME AROUND HIS CLASS SCHEDULE
WITH THEIR SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY WHAT ED KIRSCHENBAUM AND THE
DETECTIVES NOW HAD TO DO WAS VERY, VERY, DIFFICULT.
>> IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT MYSELF, DETECTIVE WEISBOT,
DETECTIVE VOLLBRECHT, DETECTIVE MAHONEY MET WITH MIKE STERN AT
HIS HOUSE. WE HAD TO INFORM HIM THAT WE NOW
HAD INFORMATION OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO SARAH.
THERE'S NO EASY WAY TO DO THAT >> Reporter: NO.
BUT HE LISTENED, THIS MAN NOW SENTENCED TO PERMANENT SORROW,
AS THEY TOLD HIM THAT SARAH, HIS ONLY CHILD, HAD DIED AT THE
HANDS OF TWO OF HER FRIENDS. >> I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY
I JUST REMEMBER STARING AT THE TABLE AND NOT KNOWING WHAT TO
THINK. >> Reporter: MIKE STERN WAS
HEARTSICK. >> THESE WERE KIDS YOU'D DRIVEN
AROUND, CARPOOLED. >> CARPOOL, CHURCH, FIRE
DEPARTMENT EVENTS, THINGS AT THE SCHOOL
>> SUDDENLY THEY WEREN'T INNOCENT ANYMORE
>> IT LITERALLY SUCKED THE LIFE OUT OF ME.
DISB DISBELIEF.
IT'S UNFATHOMABLE. >> AND THERE WAS JUST NO
INDICATION, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, THAT THIS WAS LURING IN THERE?
>> NO. THAT'S WHAT KINDA HURTS THE MOST
THAT THAT EVIL CAN BE IN THERE >> Reporter: EVIL?
OH, YES. AND MIKE STERN WAS ONLY
BEGINNING TO COMPREHEND THE ENORMITY OF THE CHAIN OF EVENTS
THAT CULMINATED ON THAT BRIDGE OVER THE SHARK RIVER
AFTER TWO ARRESTS, AN ENTIRE TOWN REELING
>> WE WERE STRUGGLING WITH WHY >> BUT THE SHOCKS WILL KEEP
COMING INCLUDING MORE FROM THAT
STOMACH-TURNING TAPE >> IT WAS DISGUSTING
DISGUSTING >> AND AN EYE WITNESS WHO SAYS
HE SAW SARAH AFTER SHE DISAPPEARED.
>> I CAUGHT HER EYE, AND SHE CA
* *
>> Reporter: FEBRUARY 2017, THE TWO ARRESTS IN THE MYSTERIOUS
DISAPPEARANCE OF SARAH STERN WERE BIG NEWS FROM THE JERSEY
SHORE TO NEW YORK CITY >> STUNNING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
SEARCH FOR A MISSING 19-YEAR-OLD GIRL
THE CHARGES TWO TEENS NOW FACE >> Reporter: MIKE STERN WAS IN
THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE WHEN THEY BROUGHT IN THE TEENS ACCUSED OF
KILLING HIS SARAH. BOTH PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO
MURDER AND SIX OTHER CHARGES >> STERN'S FAMILY BEING ESCORTED
OUT OF THE COURTHOUSE, ASKING FOR PRIVACY LESS THAN 24 HOURS
AFTER FINDING OUT SHE WAS DEAD >> Reporter: SARAH'S FAMILY AND
HER FRIENDS APPEARED COMPOSED IN PUBLIC, BUT WERE IN A PRIVATE
HELL THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE THOSE TWO
COULD HAVE DONE THIS NEITHER OF THEM HAD A CRIMINAL
RECORD PRESTON TAYLOR, SARAH'S JUNIOR
PROM DATE, WAS A QUIET 19-YEAR-OLD.
HIS ROOMMATE AND CO-DEFENDANT LIAM McATASNEY, WAS ALSO 19, A
TALL TOWHEAD WITH AN IDENTICAL TWIN BROTHER WAS EASILY
RECOGNIZABLE AROUND TOWN LOTS OF NEPTUNE CITY RESIDENTS
KNEW HIM FROM HIS JOB AS A WAITER AT A LOCAL STEAKHOUSE
MIKE STERN HAD WATCHED BOTH DEFENDANTS GROW UP
>> YOU MUST HAVE THOUGHT AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT THOSE BOYS AND
WHAT THEY WERE LIKE WHEN THEY WERE IN YOUR HOUSE, WHEN THEY
HUNG AROUND WITH SARAH >> YEAH, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND
POOL PARTIES AND JUST SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE NORMAL KIDS
>> Reporter: MIKE, OF COURSE, BUT ALSO THE OTHERS WHO HAD
KNOWN LIAM MOST OF HIS YOUNG LIFE, WERE HAVING A VERY HARD
TIME HOW TO UNDERSTAND >> WE WERE STRUGGLING WITH WHY,
AND HE WAS SUCH A FRIEND ALL THESE YEARS.
THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING EVIL ABOUT HIM THAT WE'RE MISSING
HERE. LIKE YOU DON'T JUST HAVE NO
CRIMINAL RECORD AND GO TO MURDER
>> Reporter: CARLY AND SAM THOUGHT THEY KNEW LIAM AND
PRESTON. BUT DID THEY REALLY?
>> WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN THOSE TWO GUYS WERE ARRESTED
>> I WAS - >> I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT
>> I WAS MAD I WAS ANGRY, HONESTLY.
>> I PULLED UP TO MY HOUSE, AND I WENT INSIDE AND MY DAD WAS
JUST HOME. I SAID, IS IT TRUE
HE SAID, YES AND I -- I COULDN'T EVEN -- FOR
DAYS, I COULDN'T EVEN LOOK OVER AT SARAH'S HOUSE
>> DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL WITH SARAH?
>> YEAH, THEY WERE ALL THE SAME FRIEND GROUP
THAT WAS ESSENTIALLY WHO I STARTED HANGING OUT WITH WHEN I
WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL. >> Reporter: REMEMBER,
DETECTIVES HAD BEEN TALKING TO PRESTON AND LIAM SINCE THE FIRST
DAYS OF THEIR MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATION, EVEN INVITED THEM
DOWN TO THE STATION. BUT NOT AS SUSPECTS.
>> IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU >> Reporter: LIAM HAD BEEN WITH
SARAH THE DAY SHE WAS LAST SEEN AND, IN FACT, ONE OF SARAH'S
COUSINS HAD FOUND LIAM'S PHONE IN SARAH'S DRIVEWAY THE MORNING
AFTER SHE WENT MISSING, BUT, IT DIDN'T SIGNIFY MUCH.
THEY WERE OFTEN TOGETHER AND LIAM DIDN'T TRY TO HIDE IT AND
HE'D BEEN HAPPY TO LET THEM SEARCH HIS PHONE
SO, COOPERATIVE. BUT NOW DETECTIVES DECIDED
LIAM'S STATEMENTS DESERVED ANOTHER LOOK
>> WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE SARAH >> WHEN I WAS LEAVING HER HOUSE.
>> IT WAS BENIGN >> SO YOU WENT BACK AND LOOKED
AT THIS THING AGAIN? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> BEGAN TO SEE IT IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. HINDSIGHT'S VERY POWERFUL.
>> Reporter: AND IN HINDSIGHT, DETECTIVES THOUGHT LIAM'S WORDS
SEEMED CAREFULLY, DEVIOUSLY CRAFTED TO SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT
SARAH HAD RUN AWAY >> WHAT'S HER RELATIONSHIP WITH
HER DAD? >> NOT GOOD.
>> WHEN YOU SAY NOT GOOD, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
>> I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF FIGHTING ALL THE TIME, AND SHE
JUST NEEDED TO GET TO CANADA >> Reporter: AND THEN THERE WAS
SOMETHING LIAM ASKED THAT THEY JUST COULDN'T GET OUT OF THEIR
HEADS NOW. >> IF SHE DID JUMP OFF THE
BRIDGE, WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT SHE'S NOT SOMEWHERE ALL THE WAY
OUT IN THE OCEAN BY NOW? >> Reporter: BUT EVEN THOUGH
THEY SAW LIAM AND PRESTON IN A NEW LIGHT NOW, BUILDING A MURDER
CASE WAS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT SARAH'S BODY HAD SIMPLY
VANISHED IF YOUNG SARAH DID INDEED END UP
IN THE SHARK RIVER, IT LOOKED LESS LIKELY BY THE DAY SHE WOULD
EVER BE FOUND. AND WITHOUT A BODY, OR A
FUNERAL, IT ALL FELT SOMEHOW UNFINISHED TO THOSE WHO LOVED
SARAH, TO SO MANY PEOPLE IN NEPTUNE CITY SO PROFOUNDLY
DISTURBED, AND BETRAYED, AND SADDENED BY HER LOSS
>> WE DECIDED TO DO A CELEBRATION OF LIFE.
>> Reporter: AND DID THEY EVER IN THE SUMMER OF 2017, SEVEN
MONTHS OR SO AFTER SARAH VANISHED, THEY DRESSED UP THE
NEPTUNE CITY COMMUNITY CENTER. >> TWO, THREE MAIN ROOMS FILLED
FROM FLOOR TO CEILING, WALL TO WALL, OF ALL SARAH'S ART
>> WOW >> I THINK THEY SAID THERE WAS
OVER 1,000 VISITORS. >> Reporter: IT WAS AS IF THE
WHOLE TOWN SKIPPED THE BEACH THAT BRILLIANT SATURDAY, SET
ASIDE THE FRUSTRATING WAIT FOR THE TRIAL TO BEGIN, AT LEAST FOR
ONE AFTERNOON. >> I RECALL FIRST MEETING SARAH
IN KINDERGARTEN. >> reporter: TO HEAR SARAH
EULOGIZED -- >> SHE JUST LOVED THEM SO, SO
MUCH, BY HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY. >> SARAH, I WILL MISS YOU EVERY
DAY AND CARRY YOU IN MY HEART. >> Reporter: AND TEACHERS --
>> SHE JUST WAS KIND AND CARING LIKE HER MOTHER.
SHE HAD A SMILE AND AN AWESOME HUMOR AND A QUICK WIT LIKE HER
FATHER SHE WAS JUST A BEAUTIFUL
COMBINATION OF BOTH HER PARENTS. >> I'VE NEVER MET SOMEONE WHO
MARCHES TO THE BEAT OF HER OWN DRUM SO BEAUTIFULLY AND IS
WILLING TO PICK UP PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY TO JOIN HER.
>> I WAS OVERWHELMED IT WAS KIND OF A TEARFUL MOMENT,
VERY TOUCHING. SHE TOUCHED A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> GOD BLESS EVERYBODY GOB BLESS SARAH.
>> WE LOVE YOU WE LOVE YOU SARAH.
>> Reporter: BITTERSWEET EXHAUSTING
BUT HARDLY PREPARATION FOR WHAT WAS COMING WHEN LIAM AND PRESTON
HAD THEIR DAY IN COURT >>> COMING UP --
AT TRIAL, PRESTON, TAKES THE STAND.
>> I OPEN THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT, FIND SARAH LAYING IN THAT
BATHROOM >> REVEALING DARK DETAILS FROM A
NIGHT OF HORROR: >> THAT CANNOT BE EASY TO LISTEN
TO *
>> Reporter: THE IRONY WAS LOST
ON NO ONE IN NEPTUNE CITY. IT'S A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE LIKE
TO SAY EVERYBODY KNOWS EVERYBODY.
NOW TWO THEY THOUGHT THEY KNEW, LIAM McATASNEY AND
PRESTON TAYLOR, WERE BEING HELD IN COUNTY JAIL, ACCUSED OF
KILLING THEIR FRIEND SARAH STERN.
BUT, WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? >> ALL RISE.
>> Reporter: IN JANUARY 2019, TWO YEARS AFTER SARAH VANISHED,
McATASNEY,N NOW 21 YEARS OLD, WENT ON TRIAL FOR MURDER
MONMOUTH COUNTY ASSISTANT PROSECUTORS MEGAN DOYLE AND
CHRIS DECKER FELT THEY HAD A STRONG CASE, BUT NOT A PERFECT
ONE. >> WE DIDN'T HAVE A BODY
SO FOR ALL OF THE EVIDENCE YOU HAVE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A JURY
IS GOING TO DO WITH THAT >> Reporter: THE PROSECUTORS
EXPECTED THE DEFENSE WOULD TRY TO HIT THAT POINT HARD
>> WHAT IF HE SAYS DURING HIS SUMMATION, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THERE'S SARAH STERN, AND WE JUST COULD ENVISION 14 PEOPLE IN THE
BOX LOOKING AT THE DOOR. WELL, THERE'S REASONABLE DOUBT
>> WE DIDN'T HAVE A BODY WE WEREN'T GOING TO HAVE A BODY.
SO IT WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT WE HAD TO TRY TO -- TRY TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SARAH
STERN WILL NOT BE WALKING THROUGH THOSE DOORS INTO THIS
COURTROOM AT ANY POINT BECAUSE THIS DEFENDANT MURDERED HER.
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION ALLEGED LIAM AND PRESTON THREW
SARAH'S BODY INTO THE RIVER. EARLY ON, REMEMBER, PEOPLE
THOUGHT MAYBE SARAH TOOK HER OWN LIFE
BUT NO THE PROSECUTION PAINTED A
PICTURE OF A HAPPY YOUNG WOMAN, EXCITED ABOUT HER FUTURE
AS DID SARAH'S DAD, MIKE >> WERE YOU WORRIED ABOUT YOUR
DAUGHTER >> NO.
>> WAS SHE DEPRESSED >> NO.
>> DID YOU THINK YOUR DAUGHTER JUMPED
>> NO. >> Reporter: MIKE'S SISTER
LINDA, SARAH'S AUNT, DESCRIBED A LOVING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
FATHER AND DAUGHTER. >> SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED HER
FATHER >> WERE YOU AWARE OF WHETHER OR
NOT HER FATHER LOVED HER >> HE ABSOLUTELY LOVED SARAH
>> Reporter: SO WHAT EXACTLY DID HAPPEN?
THE SHOCKING ANSWER CAME FROM THE UNLIKELIEST IMAGINABLE
SOURCE -- SARAH'S PROM DATE, PRESTON TAYLOR
CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH SARAH'S MURDER TWO YEARS
EARLIER, PRESTON NOW TOOK THE STAND FOR THE PROSECUTION.
THE STATE HAD GIVEN HIM A DEAL. THEY DROPPED THE FELONY MURDER
CHARGE AND IN EXCHANGE, PRESTON PLEADED GUILTY TO SIX OTHER
CHARGES AND AGREED TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIS GOOD FRIEND LIAM
>> SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA GET DIRTY.
SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA GET IN THE MUD, AND YOU'VE GOTTA DEAL WITH
BAD PEOPLE WHO PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN COMMITTING A CRIME, IN
ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT CRIME AGAINST OTHERS
>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT COOPERATION AGREEMENT REALLY
REQUIRES YOU TO DO >> COMPLETE HONESTY.
>> COMPLETE HONESTY? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID?
>> YES >> DOES THAT INCLUDE TODAY
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> Reporter: AND NOW, IN
EXCHANGE FOR A REDUCED SENTENCE, HE WAS ABOUT TO TELL THE WORLD
WHAT HE AND LIAM DID TO SARAH STERN.
PRESTON DELIVERED HIS HORRIFYING STORY IN A COOL, STEADY VOICE.
>> DID YOU KNOW HER? >> I DID
>> WERE YOU FRIENDS WITH HER >> YEAH, WE WERE FRIENDS
THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL >> Reporter: IT STARTED MONTHS
BEFORE SHE WENT MISSING, HE SAID, AFTER SARAH TOLD LIAM
ABOUT WHAT SHE FOUND IN THE FAMILY'S SECOND HOME
>> IT WAS A SHOEBOX FULL OF MONEY.
>> DID YOU ASK ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT MONEY WHEN YOU FIRST
LEARNED ABOUT IT >> I ASKED HOW MUCH IT WAS
I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS IN THE RANGE OF ABOUT $100,000.
>> Reporter: PRESTON TESTIFIED THAT LIAM SAID $100,000 WAS THE
KIND OF MONEY SOMEBODY WOULD KILL FOR
>> IT STARTED OFF AS PLANS TO EITHER BURGLARIZE HER HOUSE OR
TO ROB HER PERSONALLY. AND OVER TIME THE CONVERSATIONS
PROGRESSED TO -- TO KILLING HER TO -- IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THAT
MONEY. >> Reporter: THE CRIME, HE SAID,
WAS PLANNED IN INTRICATE DETAIL. TO AVOID USING CELL PHONES,
PRESTON AND LIAM BOUGHT WALKIE-TALKIES
PRESTON TESTIFIED THE TWO ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO KILL SARAH
IN NOVEMBER. BUT WHILE LIAM WAS AT HER HOUSE,
ABOUT TO MURDER HER, HE LEARNED HER MONEY WASN'T THERE, IT WAS
IN THAT SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX AT THE BANK, THE ONE THAT
DETECTIVES LATER DISCOVERED HAD $25,000 IN IT.
>> DID YOU DISCUSS WAYS AROUND THAT PROBLEM
>> YEAH. LIAM HAD HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH
SARAH. SHE HAD BEEN TO CANADA SEVERAL
TIMES. SHE'D BEEN TALKING ABOUT TAKING
TRIPS OUT THERE AGAIN. LIAM SAW THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO CONVINCE HER TO TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF THE BANK.
>> Reporter: AND SO ON DECEMBER 2nd WITH MIKE AND KRISTINE O
VACATION IN FLORIDA, SARAH DID GO TO THE BANK TO GET SOME OF
THAT MONEY WHILE SHE WAS THERE, PRESTON
TESTIFIED, HE GOT A MESSAGE FROM LIAM
>> HE WAS WITH SARAH, THAT THEY WERE AT THE BANK, AND THIS IS
THE CHANCE >> Reporter: HE KNEW EXACTLY
WHAT THAT MEANT. >> HE HAD SOMEHOW CONVINCED HER
TO TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF THE SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX AND THAT THE
PLAN WOULD MOVE FORWARD THAT NIGHT.
>> OKAY. DID YOU SAY ANYTHING BACK?
>> SAID TO WAIT UNTIL IT GOT DARK OUT
>> Reporter: PRESTON WAS STRANGELY EMOTIONLESS ON THE
STAND AS HE DESCRIBED THE MURDER OF HIS FRIEND.
IT HAPPENED LATE THAT AFTERNOON, HE SAID.
LIAM STRANGLED SARAH PROSECUTORS SHOWED THIS
SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF LIAM LEAVING THE HOUSE WITH A
BACKPACK, WHICH THEY SAID CONTAINED SOME OF SARAH'S MONEY.
AND ANOTHER VIDEO OF HIM ARRIVING AT WORK AT THAT
STEAKHOUSE NOT LONG AFTERWARD. BUT LIAM DIDN'T STAY LONG.
A FEW MINUTES LATER HE LEFT. PRESTON TOLD THE JURORS HE WAS
WAITING FOR LIAM AT THE HOUSE THEY SHARED.
>> LIAM COMES TO THE DOOR AND HE'S FRANTIC
HE SAID THAT HE HAD KILLED SARAH, THAT HE LOST HIS PHONE,
AND ULTIMATELY TOLD ME HE NEEDED ME TO GO OVER TO SARAH'S HOUSE
TO LOOK FOR HIS PHONE AND TO MOVE SARAH'S BODY.
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, HE SAID, LIAM WENT RIGHT BACK TO WORK, AS
IF IT WAS ANY OTHER DAY, WHILE HE, PRESTON, HEADED OVER TO
SARAH'S HOUSE, CLIMBED THE FENCE IN THE BACK YARD, WENT IN THE
BACK DOOR. HE LOOKED FOR LIAM'S PHONE, BUT
COULDN'T FIND IT PROSECUTORS PLAYED A TAPE OF
PRESTON WALKING DETECTIVES THROUGH THE MURDER SCENE,
RECOUNTING HOW HE MOVED SARAH'S BODY
>> I OPEN THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT, FIND SARAH, DEAD, LAYING IN THAT
BATHROOM >> WHAT'D YOU DO
>> I PICKED HER UP BY HER SHOULDERS AND DRAGGED HER OUT
BACK I TOOK HER TO THE BUSHES ALONG
THE SIDE FENCE, PULLED HER IN THERE AND COVERED IT UP WITH
SOME LEAVES AND SOME STICKS. >> Reporter: LATE THAT NIGHT,
PRESTON TOLD THE JURY, HE AND LIAM PROPPED UP SARAH'S BODY IN
THE PASSENGER SEAT OF HER OWN CAR AND LIAM DROVE THAT CAR TO
THE ROUTE 35 BRIDGE AND PRESTON FOLLOWED IN ANOTHER CAR AND THEY
HEAVED HER BODY OVER THE HEAVED HER BODY OVER THE RAILING
AND THEY LEFT HER CAR THERE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THEN
DROVE HOME >> WHAT'D YOU DO WHEN YOU GOT TO
HOLLY STREET >> WE GET THERE, WE BOTH LIGHT
UP A CIGARETTE, AND WE STARTED COUNTING THE MONEY
>> Reporter: SARAH'S MONEY THE TOTAL WASN'T $100,000.
NOT $50,000. NO, THE HAUL FOR ENDING SARAH'S
YOUNG LIFE WAS LESS THAN $10,000.
OF COURSE, AFTER THEY ARRESTED PRESTON, THE DETECTIVES ASKED
WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. >> DID YOU TELL THEM WHERE THE
MONEY WAS? >> YEAH. I TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS
BURIED. >> Reporter: PRESTON TESTIFIED
THAT HE AND LIAM BURIED THE MONEY THEY STOLE FROM SARAH IN
TWO SMALL SAFES. ONE IN THE WOODS IN A NEARBY
PARK, THE OTHER TWENTY MILES AWAY ON A LONG ABANDONED ARMY
BASE IT WAS A CHILLING TALE.
MIKE AND KRISTINE SAT IN COURT AND HEARD EVERY WORD
>> THAT CANNOT BE EASY TO LISTEN TO
>> NO. >> HUH-UH.
>> IT'S KINDA LIKE DRIVING A STAKE THROUGH YOUR HEART
IT HURT VERY DEEPLY. MY DAUGHTER, MY ONLY CHILD
SHE WAS MY WORLD >> Reporter: AND THINGS WERE NOT
GOING TO GET ANY EASIER FOR MIKE BECAUSE THE DEFENSE WAS
ABOUT TO PRESENT AN EYEWITNESS WITH A REMARKABLE CLAIM.
>> THERE WAS A GIRL WALKING DOWN THE STREET
>> Reporter: THAT NOT A WORD OF PRESTON'S STORY COULD HAVE BEEN
TRUE >>> COMING UP --
DID SOMEONE SEE SARAH THE DAY AFTER SHE DISAPPEARED?
>> I LOOKED AT HER, RIGHT IN THE FACE, JUST LIKE I'M LOOKING AT
YOU RIGHT NOW. *
>> Reporter: PRESTON TAYLOR AND
LIAM McATASNEY WERE CERTAINLY AN UNLIKELY PAIR OF MURDER
SUSPECTS CLEAN CUT, SOFT SPOKEN, NEVER
ONCE IN TROUBLE. BUT NOW PRESTON HAD TAKEN A DEAL
AND LIAM WAS ON TRIAL FOR KILLING ONE OF HIS VERY BEST
FRIENDS FOR MONEY. >> I DEVELOPED A RELATIONSHIP
WITH HIM OVER THE LAST SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS OR SO
>> Reporter: THIS IS LIAM'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY CARLOS
DIAZ DIAZ-COBO.
>> WAS HE TERRIFIED GOING INTO THIS TRIAL
>> YES WHAT 20-YEAR-OLD WOULDN'T BE
>> Reporter: ESPECIALLY SCARED, SAID THE ATTORNEY, BECAUSE LIAM
WAS INNOCENT HE DIDN'T DO THE AWFUL THING
HE'D BEEN ACCUSED OF >> ONCE ALL THE EVIDENCE IS IN,
THERE WILL BE NO OTHER VERDICT THAN A NOT GUILTY VERDICT.
>> Reporter: NOT GUILTY, THE DEFENSE ARGUED, BECAUSE THE
EVIDENCE WOULD SHOW SARAH MIGHT HAVE RUN AWAY FROM AN UNHAPPY
HOME, OR EVEN TAKEN HER OWN LIFE
TO SUPPORT THAT, THE DEFENSE PRESENTED A DIFFERENT AND
DISTURBING TAKE ON SARAH'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER DAD.
FAR FROM HAPPY, THE DEFENSE CALLED IT VOLATILE
FATHER AND DAUGHTER FIGHTING CONSTANTLY
THE DEFENSE SUGGESTED IT HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON SARAH
LIAM SAID AS MUCH THE FIRST TIME HE SPOKE TO POLICE THE NIGHT
SARAH DISAPPEARED. >> WHAT WAS HER MINDSET LAST
TIME YOU TALKED TO HER >> I JUST KNOW SHE'S BEEN TRYING
TO GET AWAY AND TELLING ME SHE'S GOING TO CANADA.
>> TRYING TO GET AWAY. OKAY
CANADA SHE BEEN REAL DEPRESSED LATELY
>> HER DAD IS CRAZY. >> Reporter: ON CROSS
EXAMINATION, SARAH'S AUNT LINDA, WHO BECAME SARAH'S CONFIDANTE
AFTER HER MOM DIED, ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS SOME FATHER/DAUGHTER
FRICTION >> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
SARAH'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER FATHER IN 2016
>> I WOULD SAY IT WAS A LITTLE ROCKY.
>> SHE WAS PACKING UP HER THINGS WHILE HER FATHER WAS AWAY TO GET
THEM READY TO GO >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T WANT HER FATHER TO KNOW SHE WAS PACKING
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> Reporter: IF THE DEFENSE
ATTORNEY COULD CONVINCE JURORS THAT SARAH HAD A SECRET, URGENT
PLAN TO GET AWAY FROM HER FATHER AND MOVE TO CANADA, THEN HE WAS
ON HIS WAY TO CREATING REASONABLE DOUBT
BUT HOW WOULD HE DEAL WITH THE POWERFUL TESTIMONY OF
PRESTON TAYLOR THE ANSWER WAS SIMPLE AND
EMPHATIC PRESTON IS A LIAR.
>> HIS TESTIMONY IS UNTRUTHFUL. IT'S FALSE
IT'S IMAGINED. IT'S ERRONEOUS AND NOT CREDIBLE.
>> Reporter: AND JUST HOW WOULD THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY BACK UP
THAT CLAIM PRESTON MADE IT EASY FOR HIM
>> YOU DON'T ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH, ISN'T THAT CORRECT?
>> I HAVEN'T IN THE PAST >> Reporter: HOPING FOR LENIENCY
AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED, PRESTON TOLD POLICE AN ELABORATE AND
DISTURBING STORY ABOUT ONE OF HIS OWN RELATIVES.
>> YOU MADE AN ACCUSATION AGAINST SOMEBODY
YOU SAID YOU WERE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY THAT PERSON
>> RIGHT >> AND ALL THOSE DETAILS THAT
YOU GAVE, THEY WERE ALL FALSE, THEY WERE ALL LIES, CORRECT?
>> THEY WERE >> Reporter: PRESTON HAD LIED TO
THE POLICE ABOUT SOMEONE CLOSE TO HIM COMMITTING A SERIOUS
CRIME. FOR DIAZ-COBO IT WAS A GIFT TO
ATTACK PRESTON'S CREDIBILITY >> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY
WHO HAS ADMITTED TO MAKING UP STORIES, MAKING FALSE
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST INNOCENT PEOPLE
>> Reporter: DEFENSE ATTORNEY DIAZ-COBO TOLD JURORS PRESTON'S
STORY ABOUT LIAM WAS A LIE TOO A LIE THAT COULD SAVE HIM FROM
SPENDING THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON
>> HE FIGURES POINT THE FINGER AT SOMEONE ELSE.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN TURN THE ATTENTION AWAY FROM WHAT I DID,
WHAT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR >> IS HE RESPONSIBLE FOR SARAH'S
DEATH? >> HE MAY BE
THAT'S ONE OF THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT ARISE FROM THIS CASE.
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS. >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE DIDN'T
JUST CHALLENGE THE STATE'S WITNESSES.
DIAZ-COBO ALSO PRESENTED AN EYEWITNESS WITH AN ASTONISHING
STORY. >> CRAIG KEVIN HETZEL SR
>> Reporter: AND HE WANTED TO TELL THE JURY ALL ABOUT IT
>> BE SEATED, SIR. >> Reporter: ON THAT COLD
DECEMBER MORNING BACK IN 2016, CRAIG HETZEL WAS DOING WHAT HE
ALWAYS DID AT 5:00 A.M. HE DROVE HIS SON TO
WORK SAME ROUTE, SAME TIME, EVERY
DAY. >> THERE WAS A GIRL WALKING DOWN
THE STREET AND I SAID TO MY SON, I SAID,
THAT IS AN AWFULLY GOOD LOOKING GIRL TO BE WALKING ON THE STREET
AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING >> I REMEMBERED THE THINGS THAT
SHE HAD ON SHE HAD THIS LEATHER BOMBER
JACKET AND LIKE A FLUFFY COLLAR, AND SHE HAD HIGH HEELED SHOES
ON AND I LOOKED AT HER, RIGHT IN
THE FACE, JUST LIKE I'M LOOKING AT YOU RIGHT NOW
I CAUGHT HER EYE, AND SHE CAUGHT MY EYE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, SHE
TURNED AWAY, TURNED HER HEAD DOWN
>> Reporter: HETZEL, A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR WHO HAS
LIVED IN NEPTUNE FOR 35 YEARS, KEPT DRIVING
AND THEN - >> WE'RE GOING OVER TOP OF THE
SHARK RIVER BRIDGE ON ROUTE 35, AND THERE'S A CAR ON THE SIDE OF
THE ROAD AND I SAID, THAT'S A BAD PLACE
TO GET STUCK >> Reporter: A FEW DAYS LATER,
HETZE SAID HE WAS AT A 7-ELEVE AND MADE A STARTLING CONNECTION.
HE SAW A POSTER FOR A MISSING WOMAN.
IT WAS HER THE SAME WOMAN HE HAD SEEN
WALKING DOWN THE STREET, SARAH STERN.
>> THIS IS THE PICTURE THAT YOU SAW?
>> THAT'S IT >> IS THIS THE INDIVIDUAL THAT
YOU SAW ON DECEMBER 3rd IN THE MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00 IN
THE MORNING? >> I WOULD'VE IDENTIFIED THAT
PERSON AS THAT PERSON, YES >> Reporter: HETZEL TOLD US THAT
SEEING SARAH'S PICTURE IN COURT DURING HIS TESTIMONY GAVE HIM A
CHILL. >> IT WAS EERIE.
WHEN THEY PUT THAT PICTURE UP, I SAID, THAT'S IT, AND I COULDN'T
LOOK AT IT ANYMORE IT WAS HER
>> HE WAS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT WHO HE SAW SOMETIME A
LITTLE AFTER 5:00 IN THE MORNING, HOURS AND HOURS AND
HOURS AFTER THE STATE ALLEGE SARAH STERN WAS MURDERED, THAT
HE SAW AN INDIVIDUAL AND THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS SARAH STERN
>> Reporter: AND HE WAS JUST AS CERTAIN THAT THE CAR ON THE
BRIDGE WAS SARAH'S IT STOOD OUT BECAUSE IT WAS SO
OLD AND BEAT UP. BUT POLICE TESTIFIED THE CAR WAS
TOWED OFF THAT BRIDGE TWO HOURS BEFORE HETZEL WAS THERE.
>> I SAW THAT CAR AT 5:15 IN THE MORNING.
THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT I SPOKE TO MY SON ABOUT IT THE
OTHER -- HE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME
>> UH-HUH. >> HE SAID, ABSOLUTELY THAT CAR
WAS THERE. >> THEY SAID THAT THEY TOWED
THAT CAR AWAY. >> THEY DID NOT TOW THAT CAR
>> BUT THEY HAVE A RECORD OF TOWING THE CAR
>> THEY'D BETTER GO BACK AND CHECK THAT RECORD AND TALK TO
SOMEBODY ELSE, BECAUSE THAT CAR WAS THERE.
I THINK THAT GIRL'S ALIVE. THAT'S WHAT I THINK.
>> ALIVE SOMEWHERE >> SOMEWHERE
>> BUT SHE HASN'T USED A CREDIT CARD, YOU KNOW
WHEN A PERSON STOPS USING A CELL PHONE, STOPS USING A CREDIT
CARD, STOPS DOING ANYTHING THAT WOULD CONNECT THEM WITH THIS
EARTH, CAN THEY BE AROUND ANYWHERE
>> WHAT WILL WE SAY IN A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SHE
TURNS UP >> AND YOU THINK SHE WILL?
>> I THINK SHE WILL. >> THAT WOULD MEAN THE WHOLE
CASE FALLS APART >> THE WHOLE MURDER CASE, YEAH
>> Reporter: DIAZ-COBO HAD POKED HOLES IN THE PROSECUTION'S
STORY. BUT FOR THE WHOLE CASE TO FALL
APART, HE'D HAVE TO EXPLAIN AWAY EVIDENCE SO DISTURBING, IT
SHOCKED EVEN THE MOST VETERAN COURTROOM OBSERVERS.
>> I KNOW YOU'RE NOT A RAT >> [ BLEEP ] RIGHT
>> BUT WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA PLAY IT SAFE.
>>> COMING UP -- JURORS SEE THE HARROWING, HIDDEN
CAMERA VIDEO OF LIAM BLOOD-CHILLING REVELATIONS, IN
HIS OWN, ICE-COLD WORDS. *
>> Reporter: LIAM McATASNEY SAT
RAMROD STRAIGHT IN THE COURTROOM, STILL, SILENT, AS THE
DETECTIVES, AND THE PROSECUTORS AND HIS OWN ROOMMATE, ACCUSED
HIM OF MURDERING HIS FRIEND, SARAH STERN.
SAT THERE WHILE HIS ATTORNEY HEAPED SCORN ON THE STORY TOLD
BY HIS FRIEND TURNED PROSECUTION WITNESS, PRESTON TAYLOR.
>> PRESTON TAYLOR IS MAKING THIS UP
HE IS LYING. >> Reporter: BUT, HOW WOULD THE
DEFENSE EXPLAIN HIM? >> THE PROSECUTION'S STAR
WITNESS WASN'T PRESTON TAYLOR, THE FLIPPED ACCOMPLICE, BUT
ANTHONY CURRY WHO WAS ABOUT TO PREMIER THE BIGGEST FILM OF HIS
SHORT CAREER ANTHONY TOOK THE STAND, NERVES
ALL BUT BURSTING THROUGH HIS SKIN
>> DO YOU WANT TO BE HERE TODAY? >> NO.
>> Reporter: SHIFTING AROUND IN HIS SEAT, HE TOLD THE COURT
ABOUT THE OUTRAGEOUS STORY LIAM McATASNEY TOLD HIM ON
THANKSGIVING NIGHT >> HE TOLD ME HE WAS GOING TO
MEET UP WITH SARAH SHE FOUND THIS MONEY, AND THEY
WERE GOING TO COUNT IT TOGETHER. HE WAS GOING TO CHOKE HER, CHOKE
HER OUT, BRING HER TO THE BRIDGE, THROW HER OFF AND MAKE
IT LOOK LIKE SHE KILLED HERSELF. HE SAID IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA
FOR A MOVIE. >> DID YOU THINK HE WAS SERIOUS
AT THAT TIME >> NO.
>> Reporter: BUT, THE YOUNG FILMMAKER EXPLAINED TO THE JURY,
WHEN HE LEARNED SARAH WAS MISSING, HE AND HIS DAD WENT TO
THE POLICE IN HIS CROSS-EXAM DEFENSE
ATTORNEY DIAZ-COBO ATTACKED ANTHONY CURRY'S TESTIMONY.
ALL CURRY'S SQUIRMING WASN'T NERVES
NO HE WAS LYING
>> YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY, SIR, IS THAT LIAM TOLD YOU PRIOR TO
DECEMBER 2nd THAT HE WAS PLANNING ON TAKING MONEY FROM
SARAH? >> YES
>> WAS ANYBODY WITH YOU AND MY CLIENT WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY TOLD
YOU THIS >> NO.
>> SO THAT THE ONLY PERSON THAT WOULD HAVE HEARD IT WOULD HAVE
BEEN YOU, CORRECT? >> YES.
>> YOU NEVER RECORDED THAT CONVERSATION, CORRECT, MR.
CURRY? >> NO.
>> HE HAS A MOTIVE TO LIE. HE JUST MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES
AS THE HORROR FILMMAKER THAT'S PART OF THIS MURDER CASE
>> BUT TURNING ON HIS BEST FRIEND FOR THE SAKE OF SOME GOOD
PUBLICITY FROM THE NATIONAL MEDIA, WHAT KIND OF SENSE DOES
THAT MAKE? >> CRAZIER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.
>> Reporter: BUT, AS DAMNING AS ANTHONY CURRY'S TESTIMONY ON THE
STAND MIGHT SOUND, IT WAS ALL ONLY PRELUDE TO THE
PROSECUTION'S MOST DEVASTATING WITNESS OF ALL
LIAM McATASNEY HIMSELF >> I PLANNED THIS THING OUT FOR
LIKE SIX MONTHS. >> Reporter: A HUSHED COURTROOM
HEARD THE RECORDING OF LIAM TALKING TO ANTHONY IN THE CAR
PARKED BY THE BEACH. >> I CHOKE HER OUT, DRAG HER
>> Reporter: THE WORD DISTURBING DOESN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE IT
>> SO, YOU JUST COUNTED IT OUT AND THEN [ BLEEP ] WENT BEHIND
HER, JUST WITHOUT HER LOOKING? >> UH-HUH.
>> WAS SHE LIKE SCREAMING AND [ BLEEP ]?
>> Reporter: HERE IN ANTHONY'S CAR, LIAM TOLD THE WHOLE
SICKENING STORY OF WHAT HE DID TO SARAH ON DECEMBER 2nd
THEY WERE ALONE IN HER HOUSE THAT AFTERNOON WHEN LIAM CREPT
UP FROM BEHIND, THEN GRABBED HER.
>> I PRETTY MUCH HUNG HER LIKE -- I JUST -- I PICKED HER
UP AND HAD HER JUST LIKE DANGLING OFF THE GROUND AND SHE
JUST SAID MY NAME, AND THEN THAT WAS IT
IT TOOK ME A HALF AN HOUR TO KILL HER
I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CHOKE HER OUT AND HAVE HER
OUT IN LIKE A COUPLE MINUTES THAT'S THE ONLY TIME I HAD MY
PHONE. IT TOOK ME LIKE A HALF AN HOUR
AFTER I HIT START ON THE TIMER >> Reporter: YOU HEARD THAT
RIGHT. LIAM USED HIS PHONE TO TIME HOW
LONG IT TOOK FOR SARAH TO DIE. SHE WAS HELPLESS
NOT EVEN HER FAITHFUL BUDDY INTERVENED
>> HER DOG LAID THERE AND WATCHED AS I KILLED HER.
DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HER [ BLEEP ] DOG.
>> WHAT KIND OF DOG? >> YEAH, WHAT KIND OF DOG IS
THAT >> Reporter: AND THEN, THE GRIM
AFTERMATH. LIAM TOLD HOW PRESTON HID
SARAH'S BODY IN THE YARD AND HOW THEY LATER WENT BACK FOR IT.
>> THEN WE TAKE HER BODY OUT OF THE BUSHES AND DRAG IT OVER TO
HER BACK FENCE AND I CRAWL, GET INTO HER CAR AND I BACK UP
SHE HAS -- THERE'S A SECURITY CAMERA ACROSS THE STREET
>> RIGHT >> SO I HAD TO BACK -- I HAD TO
ACT LIKE HER I WATCHED HER EVERY TIME SHE
BACKED OUT SHE DOES THE SAME THING.
SO, I BACKED OUT EXACTLY LIKE SHE DID AND DROVE OFF.
>> DID YOU PUT HER IN THE TRUNK? >> NAH, I PUT HER IN THE
PASSENGER SEAT OF HER OWN CAR. >> Reporter: LIAM SAID HE DROVE
SARAH'S CAR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE
PRESTON WOULD FOLLOW TO PICK LIAM UP ONCE HE PUSHED SARAH'S
BODY OFF, COMMUNICATING WITH THOSE WALKIE-TALKIES
BUT AS CAREFULLY AS HE'D PLANNED, HE HADN'T FACTORED IN
ONE THING. >>> COMING UP --
LIAM'S SINISTER STRATEGY FOR THROWING OFF THE POLICE.
>> THAT WAS A WHOLE PART OF MY PLAN TO MAKE ME LOOK NOT GUILTY.
>>> AND THEN, MAYBE THE DARKEST MOMENT OF ALL.
LIAM, HINTING AT AN UNTHINKABLE MOTIVE
>> WHAT ARE YOU GONNA LIVE SOME *
>> Reporter: A HUSHED COURTROOM
IN MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, SAT SLACK-JAWED, STUNNED BY THE
VIDEO PROSECUTORS WERE PLAYING FOR THE JURY
LIAM McATASNEY, UNAWARE HE WAS BEING RECORDED, DESCRIBED IN
HORRIFIC DETAIL EXACTLY HOW HE KILLED SARAH STERN
NOW HE TURNED TO HOW HE DISPOSED OF HER BODY.
WITH SARAH'S BODY BELTED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF HER
GRANDMOTHER'S OLDSMOBILE, HE DROVE TO THE CREST OF THE ROUTE
35 BRIDGE OVER THE SHARK RIVER AND ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM.
>> I UNDERESTIMATED MY OWN STRENGTH AND HOW MUCH A DEAD
BODY WOULD WEIGH BECAUSE - >> IT'S LEAD -- IT'S LEAD
WEIGHT >> YEAH.
I GOT UP ON TOP OF THE BRIDGE TO THROW HER OFF.
AND, I GO UP, OPEN THE DOOR, UNHOOK HER, PULL HER OUT, START
DRAGGING HER TO THROW HER OVER AND THEN CARS START COMING UP --
I SEEN LIKE HEADLIGHTS COMING. I TRY TO GET HER OVER AND I
CAN'T. >> Reporter: IT WAS JUST AFTER
MIDNIGHT, BUT THERE WAS STILL TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE AND LIAM
WAS OUTSIDE SARAH'S CAR STRUGGLING WITH HER BODY
HE BEGAN TO PANIC. >> AND THREE CARS GO BY.
AND I'M [ BLEEP ] LOSING MY [ BLEEP ] CAUSE THAT EASILY
COULD'VE BEEN A COP. >> MM-HM
>> AND THEN -- >> AND THE POLICE STATION IS
LIKE RIGHT THERE >> YEAH.
YEAH AND THEN, PRESTON COMES OVER THE
BRIDGE, GOES AROUND, MAKES A U-TURN COMES UP BEHIND ME.
THE TWO OF US THROW THE BODY OVER AND THEN WE WERE OUT.
>> OH SO, YOU NEEDED HELP? >> I NEEDED HELP, YEAH
>> Reporter: AS HE TOLD ANTHONY THE STORY, LIAM REVELED IN HIS
BELIEF THAT SARAH'S BODY, DUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE, WAS FOREVER
LOST >> THE BODY NEVER SHOWED UP.
>> IT'S PROBABLY FROZEN. >> IT'S PROBABLY ALL THE WAY OUT
IN THE OCEAN >> BRO, THIS IS LIKE A [ BLEEP ]
MOVIE BRO. >> YEAH.
>> STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR PHONE IS
>> Reporter: BUT, JUST AS IN MANY CRIME MOVIES, HE MADE
CRITICAL MISTAKES. >> I [ BLEEP ] DROPPED MY PHONE
AT SARAH'S HOUSE >> YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT IT IN
YOUR [ BLEEP ] POCKET. >> DUDE.
>> WHAT WERE YOU DOING >> STRANGLING SOMEONE.
I COULDN'T FIND IT, DUDE >> Reporter: STILL, HE BRAGGED
TO HIS FRIEND ABOUT HOW CUNNING HE WAS
HE NOT ONLY PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT SARAH'S MURDER, HE ALSO CAST
HIMSELF AS A HELPFUL WITNESS IN THE INVESTIGATION.
>> I HAD PLANNED SARAH'S SITUATION FOR ME TO BE
INTERROGATED BY COPS LIKE THAT WAS A WHOLE PART OF MY
PLAN TO MAKE ME LOOK NOT GUILTY. >> Reporter: THE POINT OF THAT
WHOLE DEADLY SCHEME, HE SAID, WAS ABOUT THAT MONEY HE'D TAKEN
FROM SARAH'S HOUSE BUT, THERE WAS NO JACKPOT
PAYOUT >> THE WORST PART OF IT IS, I
THOUGHT I WAS WALKING OUT 50 GRAND, 100 GRAND IN MY
POCKET AND, I DIDN'T -- I DIDN'T EVEN
GET A QUARTER OF IT. >> SO YOU ONLY GOT LIKE, WHAT,
SEVEN GRAND? >> SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE.
>> Reporter: FOR ALL HIS SCHEMING OVER SIX MONTHS, HE
ONLY GOT ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A LITTLE FUN, AND SOME WEED.
>> I DIDN'T GET A LOT OF MONEY BUT I HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO JUST
BE LIKE LIVING COMFORTABLY IN MY HOUSE, THROWING PARTIES ALL THE
TIME >> Reporter: LIAM HAD REVEALED
SO MUCH. MAYBE TOO MUCH
AND SUDDENLY, HE SEEMED WORRIED. COULD HE TRUST ANTHONY TO KEEP
QUIET? >> I KNOW YOU'RE NOT A RAT
>> [ BLEEP ] RIGHT >> BUT WE GOTTA -- WE GOTTA PLAY
IT SAFE. >> Reporter: "OR ELSE," HE
SEEMED TO THREATEN HIS FRIEND. >> I DON'T WANT PRESTON TO THINK
HE HAS TO KILL YOU AND TAKE YOU OUT BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ONLY
PERSON THAT KNOWS. BECAUSE I'VE TRIED -- TRIED TO
IMPLY THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW, AND HE GETS REALLY UPSET
>> MAYBE DON'T TELL HIM. >> DON'T TELL HIM.
>> YEAH, BUT YOU'RE THE ONLY
PERSON BESIDES PRESTON THAT KNOWS.
>> Reporter: AND THEN LIAM GOT REFLECTIVE
HE SEEMED TO SUGGEST TO ANTHONY IT WASN'T ALL ABOUT THE MONEY,
THAT HE WANTED TO GET SOMETHING MORE OUT OF MURDERING SARA
AND AFTER, SEEMED DISAPPOINTED >> I DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFEREN
AND I DON'T THINK ABOUT IT YOU ALWAYS THINK YOU'RE GONNA
TRY THESE NEW THINGS AND YOU'RE GONNA CHANGE
>> BUT IT DIDN'T CHANGE YOU? >> IT JUST DOESN'T DO ANYTHING
IT'S WEIRD >> IT'S A [ BLEEP ] MOVIE, KNOW
WHAT I MEAN? >> IT'S YOUR LIFE YOU MIGHT AS
WELL MAKE IT ONE WHAT, ARE YOU GONNA LIVE SOME
BORING-ASS LIFE? >> Reporter: THE STORY WAS
BEYOND CHILLING. THE DETAILS APPALLING.
AND LIAM HAD DELIVERED IT WITHOUT A HINT OF REMORSE.
WHEN IT WAS OVER, PEOPLE COURTROOM WERE SILENT, STUNNED
SARAH'S COUSINS LAUREN AND LYNDSAY --
>> THAT WAS THE WORST THING I EVER SAW IN MY WHOLE ENTIRE
LIFE JUST LISTENING TO HIM,
NONCHALANTLY, LIKE IT'S NO BIG DEAL
IT'S SOMEBODY'S LIFE >> IT WAS SICK
IT WAS JUST SICK >> Reporter: IT TOOK A WHILE FOR
CARLY AND SAM TO PROCESS WHAT THEY'D HEARD FROM THE BOY THEY
KNEW AS SARAH'S GOOD FRIEND. >> IT WAS DISGUSTING
HOW CAN YOU TAKE SOMEONE'S LIFE FOR THEIR MONEY AND THEN NOT BE
HAPPY WITH THE MONEY THAT YOU KILLED THEM FOR?
>> HE ALSO WASN'T HAPPY THAT HE DIDN'T FEEL MORE, THAT HE FELT
THE SAME AFTER AS HE DID BEFORE. >> IT REALLY TICKED ME WHEN HE
SAID, SOMETIMES YOU TRY NEW THINGS AND, LIKE, EXPECT TO --
TO FEEL SOMETHING, AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING.
WHEN HE SAID -- WHEN HE -- TO, TRY NEW THINGS
LIKE KILLING SOMEONE IS TRYING NEW THINGS
>> Reporter: SARAH'S FATHER HAD KEPT HIS STEADY COMPOSURE
THROUGH THE TRIAL, BUT HEARING THAT TAPE HE BROKE INTO QUIET
SOBS >> I WAS THERE THE DAY WHEN THEY
PLAYED THAT TAPE >> UH-HUH.
>> I KEPT THINKING WHAT IS THIS LIKE FOR THAT POOR MAN
YOU HADN'T HEARD THAT BEFORE >> NO.
I KNEW SOME OF THE CONTENT, BUT NEVER HEARD IT FROM HIS MOUTH.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. EVIL
PURE EVIL. >> Reporter: A DETAILED,
COLD-BLOODED CONFESSION, ALL ON VIDEO.
WHAT MIGHT SEEM LIKE AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE.
BUT SURPRISES WERE IN STORE BEFORE THE JURY RENDERED ITS
VERDICT. >>> COMING UP --
THE DEFENSE CALLS THE TAPE PURE FICTION.
>> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT LIAM MAKES UP CRAZY
STORIES. HE WANTS TO BE IN MOVIES
HE'S LEONARDO DiCAPRIO TO ANTHONY CURRY'S MARTIN SCORSESE.
>> AND THEN, THE VERDICT, AND IT'S EMOTIONAL
* *
>> Reporter: WHAT WAS THERE TO SAY AFTER HEARING LIAM McATASNEY
CONFESS TO MURDERING HIS FRIEND SARAH?
>> AND IT TOOK ME A HALF AN HOUR TO KILL HER.
>> Reporter: A LOT, AS IT TURNED OUT.
LIAM'S ATTORNEY TOOK IT HEAD ON, SAID WHAT THE JURY HEARD WAS ALL
MADE UP FANTASY, A KIND OF AUDITION
LIAM PITCHING A HORROR MOVIE PLOT TO HIS FILMMAKING FRIEND
ANTHONY. >> THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO
SUPPORT WHAT HE SAID ON THAT TAPE AS CHILLING AND AS
HORRIFYING AS IT IS. >> SO WHAT WAS HE TRYING TO DO
WAS HE -- I MEAN, IMPRESS HIS FRIEND
COME ON. FOR WHAT REASON?
WHAT DID HE WANT OUT OF IT >> IF YOU RECALL ANTHONY CURRY'S
TESTIMONY, HE TOLD YOU THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT LIAM
MAKES UP CRAZY STORIES, THAT HE DOES IT ALL THE TIME
>> HE DID MAKE UP THINGS TO YOU WHEN HE SPOKE TO YOU, CORRECT?
>> SURE. >> HE DOES IT TO IMPRESS HIM
HE WANTS TO BE IN ANTHONY CURRY'S WORLD.
HE WANTS TO BE IN HIS MOVIES HIS LEONARDO DICAPRIO TO ANTHONY
CURRY'S MARTIN SCORSESE. >> Reporter: IN HIS CLOSING
ARGUMENT LIAM'S ATTORNEY SAID PRESTON WAS MAKING UP STORIES
TOO, ALL IN HIS EFFORT TO CUT HIS PLEA DEAL.
PLUS, HE SAID, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE PROSECUTION'S
CASE WAS SIMPLE. THE DEFENSE'S EYEWITNESS PROVED
IT >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THERE'S
NO BODY. WHY?
CRAIG HETZEL TELLS YOU THAT SHE WAS STILL ALIVE.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTOR CHRIS DECKER WASN'T HAVING ANY OF IT
>> WE TALK ABOUT MR. HETZEL, WHO SEES SARAH WEARING HEELS AND A
FUR COLLAR THAT'S NOT SARAH STERN
>> Reporter: NO, SAID THE PROSECUTOR
UGG BOOTS AND TIMBERLANDS, THAT WAS SARAH STERN.
AND THE EYEWITNESS WAS WRONG ABOUT THE CAR TOO.
>> THAT CAR WAS NOT THERE. IT JUST WASN'T THERE
HE'S WRONG I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S LYING OR
HE'S JUST WRONG. I DON'T KNOW
IT DOESN'T MATTER. HE DID NOT SEE HER
>> Reporter: AFTER A FIVE-WEEK TRIAL, PROSECUTOR DECKER HAD THE
LAST WORD. >> SARAH STERN IS DEAD
THIS IS NOT A MOVIE. IT'S NOT A STORY
THIS DEFENDANT DIDN'T FRAME HIMSELF FOR MURDER
HE COMMITTED MURDER. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS MAN
KILLED SARAH STERN HE TOLD YOU.
>> Reporter: THE JURY TOOK ITS TIME
ASKED TO SEE A LOT OF THOSE TAPES AGAIN.
ASKED TO HEAR BACK SOME OF THE TESTIMONY.
AND THEN FINALLY, WORD REACHED THE JUDGE.
A VERDICT. COURT RECONVENED, AS LIAM SAT
THERE, MOTIONLESS, STONE-FACED AS EVER.
>> HOW DO YOU FIND AS COUNT ONE OF THE INDICTMENT AS TO WHETHER
THE DEFENDANT, LIAM McATASNEY, COMMITTED THE CRIME OF MURDER BY
PURPOSELY OR KNOWINGLY CAUSING THE DEATH OF SARAH STERN
>> GUILTY. >> Reporter: GUILTY OF MURDER
AND ALL SIX OTHER COUNTS FOR MICHAEL STERN, WHO HAD LOST
SO MUCH, ENDURED SO MUCH, EVEN HAD TO WATCH LIAM TRY TO TARNISH
HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH SARAH, THE DAUGHTER HE CHERISHED, AT
LEAST THIS PART WAS OVER >> I WAITED FOR THAT, 27 MONTHS.
>> YEAH. >> IT MUST BE A COMPLICATED
FEELING. >> YEAH, IT'S JUST -- NONE OF IT
MAKES ANY SENSE. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SARAH, YOU
KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, YOU KNOW, JUSTICE BE SERVED.
>> Reporter: McATASNEY WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT
PAROLE PRESTON TAYLOR WAS HANDED 18
YEARS FOR HIS ROLE THE PROSECUTOR NEGOTIATED THE
PLEA AGREEMENT. >> HOW CAN HE LIVE WITH THIS,
THE GIRL HE TOOK TO THE PROM, HE CAN PARTICIPATE?
>> NOBODY CAN. HE'LL RELIVE HIS PART FOR THE
REST OF HIS LIFE. >> WHAT WAS THIS CASE ALL ABOUT?
WHEN YOU SEE THE TOTALITY OF IT? >> I THINK THE MONEY WAS AN
EXCUSE AND HE WANTED TO KILL SOMEBODY.
>> TO ME WHAT THE CASE WAS ABOUT FIRST AND FOREMOST WAS THE WAY
HE USED SARAH. >> Reporter: THE CONSEQUENCES OF
SARAH'S DEATH WILL BE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME
GRIEF STILL VERY RAW. >> NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES
SOMETHING IS FUNNY OR YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY AND THEN -- SORRY
YOU COME HOME AND SEE HER HOUSE AND THINK ABOUT.
>> LOSING A CLOSE FRIEND WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG, YOU DON'T EVER GET
OVER THAT. >> THE TRIAL MAY BE OVER, BUT
THE HURT IS NEVER GOING TO BE OVER
>> Reporter: SARAH STERN'S LIFE WAS TAKEN FROM HER AT JUST 19,
BUT SHE LIVED LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THE ARTISTIC LIFE SHE
WANTED TO PURSUE >> HOW WOULD YOU LIKE SARAH TO
BE REMEMBERED? HOW WILL YOU REMEMBER HER?
>> AS A BRILLIANT ARTIST SHE JUST LOVED ART
HER ART TEACHERS LOVED HER >> YEAH.
>> FOR THE TIMES -- ARE THERE PARTICULAR TIMES SHE COMES INTO
YOUR MIND? >> EVERY DAY.
>> COMES TO VISIT YOU. >> EVERY DAY
WE TALK. I SAY HELLO, MAKE SURE SHE'S
DOING OKAY SHE IS
HER SPIRIT WILL LIVE FOREVER >> IT WILL
>> BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL KID. >> YEP.
>> MY SARAH. >>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION
OF "DATELINE." WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN FRIDAY AT
9: 9:00