On May 17, 2001, 17‑year‑old Alissa Turney vanished from Phoenix, Arizona, the final day of her junior year.
Her adoptive father, Michael Turney, reported her missing, claiming she left a note that she was running away to California, but left her cellphone, money, clothes, and belongings behind.
Initially treated as a runaway, the case went dormant until 2006, when a prison inmate falsely confessed to killing Alissa. Although his claims were debunked, investigators reopened the case and began to hone in on Michael.
Surveillance and Suspicions: A Stepfather Under Scrutiny
Following the 2006 reopening of the case, investigators uncovered disturbing details about Michael’s surveillance of Alissa.
He had been monitoring her closely, using hidden cameras installed in air vents and even watching her with binoculars while she was at work. This level of control raised serious concerns.
Friends and family described Michael as deeply controlling and emotionally abusive, with some alleging possible sexual abuse as well.
These revelations added a new layer of urgency to the investigation and deepened suspicions surrounding Alissa’s disappearance.
The 2008 Weapons Raid: Turning Point of the Investigation
In December 2008, authorities carried out a search warrant at Michael’s residence, where they discovered more than 20 homemade explosives, 19 guns, a pair of improvised silencers, and a written manifesto outlining intentions to target the Phoenix electricians’ union with a bombing.
Michael pleaded guilty in April 2010 to unlawful possession of weapons and bombs and served time in federal prison, released in 2017.
From TikTok to Trial: Sarah’s Campaign for Justice
Alissa’s younger half‑sister, Sarah, now 36, turned grief into advocacy, launching Voices for Justice (2019–2021) and later posting TikToks that went viral, urging investigators to act.
In August 2020, Sarah’s activism helped spur a grand jury indictment: Michael was charged with second‑degree murder in Alissa’s disappearance.
Sarah has publicly accused him of molestation, control, and surveillance alongside confrontations captured in the docuseries Family Secrets
Trial, Acquittal, and Legal Implications
Michael’s case went to trial in July 2023. The prosecution’s case leaned on circumstantial evidence: his surveillance habits, suspicious patterns, and Alissa’s notes and cash left behind. However, no physical remains of Alissa were ever found.
Judge Sam Myers ruled the evidence insufficient and granted a judgment of acquittal under Arizona Rule 20, citing a lack of proof for homicide. All charges were dismissed on July 18, 2023, and Michael was released
Following his release, in an interview, Michael stated that he is obviously still very concerned about the case and Alissa and that he will never stop looking for his daughter.
Still Missing: The Case That Haunts a Family
Alissa’s body has never been located, and no further homicide charges can be brought due to double jeopardy. While criminal charges have been dismissed, some legal experts suggest civil suits (e.g., wrongful-death actions) remain an option.
Sarah says, “I always thought growing up that Alissa had behavioural problems and that my dad and Alissa’s stepfather didn’t like that and were quite controlling,” According to Sarah’s account in People.
She alleges that her father used tactics like intimidation, constant monitoring, and both mental and physical abuse, all aimed at harming the person she cared about most.
“I’ll never forgive my father. He’s one of the worst people out there.” And continues to push for truth and closure. Her efforts include creating podcasts, documentaries, petitions, and engaging in public confrontations.
Documentaries and Media: Bringing the Story to Light
The case has been featured extensively in the media:
- 20/20 aired What Happened to Alissa? (Oct 2014) and Since You’ve Been Gone (Sept 2023), both interviewing Michael
- Dateline NBC covered The Day Alissa Disappeared (Dec 2023).
- Oxygen/Peacock released Family Secrets: The Disappearance of Alissa Turney
- (Oct 2023), spotlighting Sarah’s advocacy and including chilling footage of the surveillance cameras.
These documentaries are credited with amplifying Sarah’s campaign and shaping public interest.
What Happens Next in This Ongoing Mystery
Several critical questions remain unanswered in Alissa’s case. Her body has yet to be found, leaving a major gap in the investigation. Although Michael has faced legal proceedings, he cannot be retried due to the protections against double jeopardy.
However, the possibility of a civil wrongful-death lawsuit remains open. The emergence of new evidence is still unresolved, though Alissa’s family continues their search in hopes of finding answers.
Sarah and her siblings, who firmly believe in their father’s guilt, persist in their pursuit of justice. Their unwavering efforts to locate Alissa’s remains or uncover new leads have kept the case in the public eye.
Today, it serves as a haunting example of a cold case kept alive through determined family advocacy and the hope that truth will eventually come to light.
Final Takeaway
Michael Turney’s involvement in his stepdaughter’s disappearance made him the focal point of a 19‑year investigation involving explosive weapon charges, accusations of surveillance and abuse, and ultimately a murder indictment. But his acquittal in July 2023 leaves Alissa’s fate unresolved and the family searching for answers that remain buried in silence.