Two Men Charged In Connection With Murder Of Sarah Stern, Missing Monmouth County Teen

The long search for Sarah Stern has ended. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced the arrest of two Neptune City men today in connection with her death. Liam McAtasney, 19, was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree desecration of human remains and second-degree hindering.

Also charged was Preston Taylor, 19. Authorities contend that Taylor helped McAtasney move and dispose of the missing teen's body. Taylor was also charged with second-degree desecration of human remains and second-degree hindering apprehension, he said.

Stern was last seen alive Dec. 2.

Law enforcement, volunteers and many others devoted hundreds of hours in a land and water search for the missing girl after her 1994 silver Oldsmobile 88 was found parked and empty on the shoulder of the Route 35 bridge in Belmar.

Stern was strangled, and her body was thrown over the bridge into the river, according to the complaint. She was killed after McAtasney tried to rob her in the car, authorities say.

Authorities asked that anyone "with information that may assist in this investigation" to call Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Detective Brian Weisbrot at (800) 533-7443, Neptune City Detective Michael Vollbrecht at (732) 775-1615 or Belmar Detective John Mahoney at 732-681-1700.

Patch will provide more information as soon as it is available.

PHOTO: Liam McAtansey, Preston Taylor