Saying Goodbye To Sarah Stern: Memorial Ceremony Planned For Saturday

NEPTUNE CITY - Sarah Stern's father wants her family and friends to remember her as more than just a murder victim.

So he's planned a memorial service for his only child to be held from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m on Saturday in Asbury Park, according to app.com.

"We're trying to make it a celebration of Sarah's life," Stern said. "That's the important thing. For Sarah's friends and family, and everyone that knew her."

Stern said that his daughter's artwork would be on display at the ceremony, which will be held at the city community center on Third Avenue.

Sarah disappeared in early December 2016. An empty family car was found parked on the Route 35 bridge in Belmar, leading some to suggest that she had taken her own life.

But as events unfolded, it turned out someone else did.

Liam McAtasney has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree desecrations of human remains and second-degree hindering by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

McAtasney is accused of robbing and strangling Stern, a former classmate at Neptune High School, and enlisting his roommate Preston Taylor to help him throw her body off the Belmar Bridge. Both were childhood friends of Sarah.

McAtasney's attorney entered a not guilty plea to all the charges earlier this week.

Preston Taylor, McAtasney's roommate, has pleaded guilty to six charges — robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, disturbing or desecrating human remains, conspiracy to desecrate human remains, and two counts each of hindering apprehension, his own and McAtasney's.

If Taylor cooperates in McAtasney's trial, Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard W. English, has said he will recommend Taylor get 20 years in state prison. Taylor would face 51.5 years in state prison if he fails to cooperate.

Sarah's body has never been found.

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Image: Patch file photo