Liam McAtasney and Preston Taylor, high school friends of Sarah’s (Taylor was even her prom date!), were later arrested. They had both helped search for her.

McAtasney claimed Sarah was depressed and ran away to Canada, but this was contradicted by her friends and family, and she left behind her passport and a lot of money. In reality, McAtasney robbed and murdered Sarah, strangling her and then stuffing a shirt down her throat. He confessed to his friend, Anthony Curry, who then recorded a conversation with McAtasney detailing the crime.

Taylor helped McAtasney dispose of the body, first hiding it in Sarah’s backyard and then throwing it into the Shark River from a bridge. They left her car to make it look like a suicide.

The police found two safes buried; one had money, the other Sarah’s clothes. McAtasney had planned the robbery for months after learning Sarah had received money from her grandmother. He only found a small amount of cash.

Taylor pleaded guilty and testified against McAtasney, who was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Taylor faces up to 20 years. Sarah’s body has never been found, but an expert believes the ocean currents carried it away.

Sarah was a talented young woman involved in athletics, art, and online video creation. Her disappearance is a tragic case of foul play.