The Vanishing of Alissa Turney: A sister's 23-year fight for the truth

For years, the case remained cold, with police believing Alissa had voluntarily left.

PUBLISHED OCT 4, 2024

In 2008, investigators shifted their focus to a family-member when disturbing details about his behavior surfaced.

Phoenix, Arizona: A new documentary, 'Family Secrets: The Disappearance of Alissa Turney', delves into the haunting case of Alissa Turney, who went missing in Phoenix, Arizona, in May 2001. The case originally gained national attention through Dateline's 20/20.

Alissa Turney seen here with stepdad Michael.

Alissa Turney was a 17-year-old high school junior who disappeared on May 17, 2001, from her home in Phoenix, Arizona. On the day she went missing, her stepfather, Michael Turney, claimed he picked her up early from school to celebrate the end of her school year. According to Michael, they had an argument at home, after which she left the house, leaving behind a note stating she was running away to California.

At the time, it was initially treated as a runaway case because Alissa was known to be somewhat rebellious. However, she left behind important items like her cell phone and savings, and her friends and family never heard from her again, raising doubts about her having run away.

Alissa Turney seen with stepsister Sarah.

For years, the case remained cold, with police believing Alissa had voluntarily left. However, her half-sister, Sarah Turney, became deeply involved in seeking answers. Sarah has since become a vocal advocate, utilizing social media platforms, particularly TikTok and podcasts, to raise awareness about her sister's case. Her persistent advocacy brought renewed attention to the investigation.

In 2008, investigators shifted their focus to Michael Turney, Alissa's stepfather, when disturbing details about his behavior surfaced. Police executed a search warrant at Michael’s house and discovered a large cache of weapons and homemade explosives. They also found a manifesto where Michael ranted about corruption in the government and unions, which he claimed had caused Alissa’s disappearance.

It was revealed that Michael had an obsessive control over Alissa. He had installed surveillance cameras in the house and even recorded all phone conversations without Alissa's knowledge.

Despite these findings, no concrete evidence directly tied Michael to Alissa’s disappearance at the time, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the possession of illegal weapons.

In 2020, after years of Sarah Turney's advocacy and the reopening of the investigation, Michael Turney was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Alissa’s disappearance. The arrest was based on a combination of circumstantial evidence, witness statements, and inconsistencies in Michael’s accounts. However, Alissa’s body has never been found, and the case against Michael remains largely circumstantial.

Michael Turney pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the case is still ongoing, with trial proceedings taking place.

'Family Secrets: The Disappearance of Alissa Turney' premieres on October 13, 2024, at 8 pm ET only on Oxygen.