Ep 10. The Girl In The Crowd

The Girl in the Crowd is the tenth episode of season 4 of The Murder Tapes. This episode takes the audience to Wharton State Forest in New Jersey, where 19-year-old Sarah Stern went missing after a drive on December 2, 2016. Her car was found abandoned on a bridge over the Shark River Inlet, with the keys still in the ignition and her cell phone and purse inside. The investigation to find the missing teenager quickly turned into a homicide investigation, as her former friend Liam McAtasney and his accomplice Preston Taylor were charged with her murder.

The episode begins with Sarah's parents talking about her disappearance and their futile attempts to reach her via phone after she left for the drive. They knew something was wrong when their messages went unanswered. The documentary then takes the audience through the initial search for Sarah's car in the vast Wharton State Forest, which was hampered by the fact that the car was partially obscured by the bridge railings and the water below.

The police were led to Liam McAtasney and Preston Taylor, who were seen on surveillance footage acting suspiciously soon after Sarah went missing. The documentary uses interviews with the investigators and friends of the accused to present a picture of McAtasney and Taylor as pathological liars and attention seekers. McAtasney had told friends that he had come into a large sum of money and offered combinations of cash and drugs to get rid of Sarah's body.

The gritty and often graphic episode takes the audience through the gruesome details of how Sarah was killed. The trial footage and reenactments reveal that McAtasney and Taylor strangled Sarah with a scarf and tossed her body off the bridge. The documentary also presents Sarah as a lively and likable young woman who was planning her future and appreciated the beauty of the nature that ultimately became the backdrop to her murder.

The episode raises questions about the role of social media and online culture in the lives of young people. McAtasney and Taylor were found guilty largely because of contents from a Facebook video that McAtasney had made, in which he confessed his crime to a friend. The documentary explores how social media and online culture can provide a forum for attention-seeking behavior that can turn deadly when it collides with real life.

The Girl in the Crowd is a chilling and hauntingly atmospheric episode. It portrays the darkness that can hide behind the natural beauty of a wooded area. The expertly edited footage leaves viewers feeling immersed in the investigation and trial proceedings. It also highlights how the police work tirelessly to bring justice to victims of violent crimes and their families.

The documentary makes no attempt to glorify or sensationalize the crime; instead, it gives an unvarnished look at the ugly realities of violence and how it can tear apart the lives of those connected to it. The extensive interviews with the family, friends, and local community provide a personal touch and make viewers feel that they have a stake in Sarah's case.

The Girl in the Crowd provides closure to a case that shook a community and shocked a nation. It is a testament to the investigative tenacity and the courage of those who work every day to make sure that justice is done. The episode is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of human nature.