ABC 20/20 Releases Six-Part Series on the Murder of Sarah Stern

ABC 20/20 has released Bridge of Lies: The Sarah Stern Case, a six-part investigative podcast series examining the disappearance and murder of 19-year-old Sarah Stern, who vanished from a coastal town in New Jersey in December 2016 — a case that ended in a murder trial attended by the victim's own father.

A Case That Shook a Coastal Community

Sarah Stern was 19 years old when she disappeared from her New Jersey hometown in December 2016. What initially appeared to be a straightforward missing persons case quickly evolved into one of the most widely covered murder investigations in the state's recent history. Police launched an undercover operation that gradually uncovered the circumstances surrounding Sarah's death — and who was responsible.

The details of the case are particularly disturbing because the murder, according to investigators, involved people from within Sarah's close social circle. Her father was present throughout the trial, following the proceedings closely as the justice system worked to bring accountability for his daughter's death.

911 Calls and an Undercover Investigation

ABC 20/20's series is built around primary source material: authentic 911 calls, internal police communications, and interviews with individuals close to the case. The chronological narrative guides listeners through each phase of the investigation — from the first warning signs of Sarah's disappearance to the decisive breakthroughs that led to arrests and charges.

The format blends the rigor of investigative journalism with the intimacy that the true crime podcast medium does so well. It is an approach that has grown significantly in popularity and continues to attract audiences seeking substantive, in-depth content over quick headlines.

Why True Crime Audiences Are Paying Attention

The Sarah Stern case is a prime example of the kind of American true crime story that consistently finds a global audience: a young woman, a tight-knit community, and an investigation that slowly unravels a web of deception. The title Bridge of Lies refers directly to the lies that kept the truth hidden for months before police had gathered enough evidence to act.

For the growing true crime audience internationally, it is precisely this kind of case — with its documentary depth and human complexity — that generates engagement and conversation across platforms and social media.

An Established Format Finds a New Platform

ABC 20/20 is one of American television's most recognized investigative magazine programs, with decades of broadcast history behind it. The decision to revisit the Stern case in podcast form signals a broader trend: established news brands are investing in audio formats to reach audiences who increasingly consume journalism outside traditional television windows.

The six-episode structure allows the full chronology of the case to unfold without compressing key details, and the combination of archival audio and new interviews keeps even those already familiar with the story engaged throughout all episodes.