Neptune City Teens Arrested For Sarah Stern’s Murder

Liam McAtasney, left and Preston Taylor, both 19, are charged in the death of Sarah Stern

Sarah Stern, the Neptune City woman missing since December 2, was strangled and her body thrown over the Rt 35 bridge connecting Neptune City and Belmar, according to charges filed by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Liam McAtasney and Preston Taylor, both 19 and of Neptune City, were charged in Stern’s death today.

McAtasney was charged with first degree Felony Murder, first degree Robbery, second degree Desecration of Human Remains, second degree Conspiracy (to Desecrate Human Remains) and second degree Hindering Apprehension. Taylor was charged with second degree Desecration of Human Remains, second degree Conspiracy (to Desecrate Human Remains) and second degree Hindering Apprehension.

Detectives determined that McAtasney was responsible for killing Stern and stealing property from her on December 2, 2016. The investigation also revealed that Taylor provided assistance to McAtasney in moving and ultimately disposing of Stern’s body in order to avoid detection.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to contact Detective Brian Weisbrot from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office at (800) 533-7443, Detective Michael Vollbrecht of the Neptune City Police Department at (732) 775-1615, or Detective John Mahoney from the Belmar Police Department at (732) 681-1700.

Annonymous tips can be made via Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at: www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.