The Inheritance Plot: 5 Shocking Facts About The Preston Taylor And Sarah Stern Murder Case
The tragic and complex case of Sarah Stern’s murder, which shocked the New Jersey shore community in 2016, continues to draw public interest, with new legal developments providing the most current updates. As of late 2025, the case centers on the fate of the two men responsible for her death: Liam McAtasney, the convicted killer, and Preston Taylor, the accomplice who struck a plea deal and testified against his friend.
The entire criminal episode, rooted in a cold-blooded plot to steal a substantial inheritance, involved childhood friends and a former prom date, shattering the lives of the Stern family and exposing a disturbing level of premeditation. Here is an in-depth look at the biographies, the motive, and the final, most recent legal decisions in this notorious true crime saga.
The Profiles: Sarah Stern and Preston Taylor Biography
The story of the crime is inextricably linked to the profiles of the victim and her perpetrators, who were all connected through their formative years in Neptune City, New Jersey.
Sarah Stern (Victim)
- Born: 1998
- Hometown: Neptune City, New Jersey
- Age at Disappearance/Death: 19 years old
- Education: Art student, described as a talented, charismatic, and artistic young woman.
- Key Circumstance: Sarah had recently received a significant inheritance following the death of her mother, which became the central motive for the crime.
- Status: Her body was never recovered after being disposed of off the Belmar bridge in December 2016.
Preston Taylor (Accomplice)
- Hometown: Neptune, New Jersey
- Age at Crime: 19 years old
- Relationship to Victim: A childhood friend of Sarah Stern and her one-time prom date.
- Relationship to Co-defendant: Roommate and close friend of Liam McAtasney.
- Role in Crime: Pleaded guilty to helping McAtasney rob Stern's home, move her body, and dispose of it off the Belmar bridge. He also helped stage the scene to look like a suicide.
- Sentence: 18 years in New Jersey State Prison.
The Shocking Motive: A Plot for Inheritance Money
The initial disappearance of Sarah Stern on December 2, 2016, was staged to look like a suicide, with her car found abandoned near the Route 35 bridge in Belmar, New Jersey. However, the investigation quickly revealed a cold, calculated plot driven by greed.
The Inheritance Target
The primary motive for the murder of Sarah Stern was the theft of a large sum of money she had inherited after her mother’s death. Co-defendant Liam McAtasney, Sarah’s childhood friend, was aware of this inheritance and, along with his roommate Preston Taylor, planned the robbery.
The Execution of the Crime
Prosecutors detailed that Liam McAtasney strangled Sarah Stern in her Neptune City home. Following the murder, he called Preston Taylor to help him. Taylor, despite having been Sarah's prom date, agreed to participate in the disposal of her body and the subsequent cover-up.
- Body Disposal: Taylor admitted to helping transport Sarah's body and throwing it over the railing of the Route 35 bridge into the Shark River Inlet.
- Staging the Scene: The two men deliberately left Sarah's car on the bridge to make her disappearance appear to investigators and the public as a suicide, a particularly callous attempt to divert suspicion.
- Theft: The men successfully stole the inheritance money, which McAtasney reportedly kept in the house he shared with Taylor for a time.
The details of the crime, including a video re-enactment provided by Taylor, were instrumental in the prosecution’s case against McAtasney.
The Legal Fallout and the Critical Plea Deal
The prosecution's case relied heavily on the cooperation of Preston Taylor, whose testimony provided the crucial link needed to convict the primary killer, Liam McAtasney, even without the recovery of Sarah Stern's remains (the "no body" murder trial).
Preston Taylor's Plea Agreement
Facing numerous charges, Taylor accepted a plea deal in exchange for his testimony. He pleaded guilty to charges including:
- First-degree Robbery
- Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
- Second-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder
- Hindering Apprehension
- Disturbing or Desecrating Human Remains
This cooperation was vital. Taylor's testimony detailed McAtasney’s description of the strangulation and the subsequent actions of both men. He was ultimately sentenced to 18 years in state prison, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), meaning he must serve 85% of his sentence before parole eligibility.
Liam McAtasney's Conviction
Liam McAtasney was convicted by a jury on all counts, including first-degree murder, and was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The conviction was a significant victory for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, securing justice for Sarah Stern and her father, Michael Stern, who was present throughout the emotional trial proceedings.
The Latest Legal Update: Taylor's Sentence Appeal Rejected (2025 Update)
In the most recent development in the case, Preston Taylor sought to have his 18-year sentence reduced, arguing that the sentencing court made a legal error.
The Grounds for Appeal
Taylor’s legal team filed an appeal (Docket No. A-2155-19) with the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division. The core of the argument was that the trial court had improperly "double counted" the pecuniary interest factor when imposing the sentence for first-degree robbery. In essence, they argued that the motive (the money) was already factored into the robbery charge and should not have been used again as an aggravating factor to increase his prison term.
The Final Decision
In a final opinion on the matter, the Appellate Division rejected Preston Taylor’s attempt to reduce his 18-year prison sentence. The court upheld the original sentence, confirming that Taylor, who admitted to his role as an accomplice in the robbery and slaying of Sarah Stern, will remain incarcerated for the full term imposed under the plea agreement. This ruling solidifies the legal outcome for both men involved in the murder, bringing a definitive close to the most recent chapter of the case.
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