If Sarah Stern's remains had their final destination in the Shark River, invesigators are now doubly intent on finding it. A renewed search of the waterway began today and continues into the weekend.

New Jersey missing persons
(Lauren Bahr)
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Monmouth investigators and New Jersey State Police are once again combing the waters near the Belmar Bridge, where the Neptune City 19-year-old's car was found two months ago.

Two ex-schoolmates, Liam McAtasney and Preston Taylor, both 19 of Neptune City, face a battery of charges connected to the girl's death.

Liam McAtasney
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Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Grammiccioni said, "It is possible due to oceanic currents and tides that her remains might have been swept out of the river into the Atlantic. But we are hoping for a miracle."

Detectives believe that the two men killed and robbed Stern on December 2, and that Taylor helped McAtansey move and dispose of the body. Authorities have yet to reveal details that informed their conclusions.

McAtansey faces first-degree counts of murder, felony murder and robbery. McTansey and Taylor are each charged with second-degree counts of desecration of human remains, conspiracy to desecrate human remains and hindering apprehension.

Preston Taylor (Monmouth Co. Dept. of Corrections)
Preston Taylor (Monmouth Co. Dept. of Corrections)
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Searches by the Belmar Water Rescue Team, U.S. Coast Guard, Monmouth County Sheriff's Dive Team, Area Network of Shore Water Emergency Responders and state police have failed to produce the teen's body.

Despite the arrests, anyone with information that can aid investigators should call Detective Brian Weisbrot in the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, 800-533-7443; Detective Michael Volbrecht of Neptune City PD, 732-775-1615; or Belmar PD Detective John Mahoney, 732-681-1700.

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