Alex N. Gecan, and Andrew Ford

Asbury Park Press

Authorities have recovered two safes – one of which contained money – related to the murder of Sarah Stern, the Neptune City woman who disappeared Dec. 2 and whose two childhood friends have been charged in her death, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

The safes were found in Shark River Park and Sandy Hook. While one contained money, the other didn't contain much of anything, the source said.

Nineteen-year-old Liam McAtasney – Stern's childhood friend – has been charged with Stern's murder, and 19-year-old Preston Taylor – who went with Stern to the junior prom – has been charged with helping dispose of her remains.

Authorities believe McAtasney robbed Stern of cash "in the thousands of dollars range," county Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said Friday, strangled her, and enlisted Taylor to cover up the crime. It could not be determined Monday if that was the cash that was found in the box.

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Meanwhile, a State Police marine unit resumed patrolling the waters Monday, searching for Stern near where the Shark River meets the Atlantic Ocean on the border between Avon-by-the-Sea and Belmar, according to State Police Trooper Lawrence Peele, a spokesman for the agency. Police found Stern's car – with the keys inside – atop a bridge over the Shark River between Neptune and Belmar shortly after she disappeared, but have not yet found Stern herself.

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Taylor has a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday and McAtasney will appear a week afterward.

Authorities have asked that anyone with information that may help the search 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.

Tipsters can also send information anonymously by calling the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers at 800-671-4400, by texting the word "MONMOUTH" plus a tip to 274637 or by visiting the Crime Stoppers' website.

Alex N. Gecan: 732-643-4043; agecan@gannettnj.com