A Mysterious Search On The Bridge Where Sarah Stern May Have Been Last

BELMAR - A spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office has confirmed that investigators were on the scene of the Route 35 bridge in Belmar Friday, where Sarah Stern's body is suspected of being discarded.

Spokesperson Charles Webster confirmed investigators were in the area and that all four lanes of the bridge were closed from 3:50 p.m. to 4:11 p.m.

"Immediately after the investigation was complete, the road was reopened," he said. "No further information will be released and there is no need for any alarm."

Sarah Stern hasn't been seen since Dec. 2.

A State Police boat was also on the scene searching Friday afternoon.

The bridge is where authorities say Liam McAtasney, 19, and Preston Taylor, 19, threw Stern's body into the Shark River, after McAtasney strangled her. The bridge has been the site of several police searches since Stern's disappearance. Stern's body has never been recovered.

Court documents allege that McAtasney strangled his former classmate for $7,000 that he removed from her home. Taylor is accused of helping conceal Stern's body.

Both defendants remain in the Monmouth County jail – McAtasney is charged with Stern’s murder, felony murder, robbery, desecration of human remains, conspiracy to desecrate human remains and hindering apprehension. Taylor is charged with desecration of human remains, conspiracy to desecrate human remains and hindering apprehension.

Image: Patch file photo.