5 Haunting Facts Surrounding Alissa Turney’s Disappearance

Oxygen True Crime presented “Family Secrets: The Disappearance of Alissa Turney”on Sunday, October 13, at 8 p.m. ET. This gripping episode delved into the mysterious case of Alissa Turney, who was reported missing in Phoenix in 2001. The documentary features intimate home videos alongside interviews that highlight Sarah Turney’s dogged quest for answers regarding her sister’s fate and the complex family dynamics involved.

Initially, it was thought that Alissa had simply run away, but new findings point to a potentially more nefarious situation. On May 17, 2001, the 17-year-old Alissa vanished from Phoenix, Arizona, on the very last day of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School.

The last individual to see Alissa was her stepfather, Michael Turney, who claimed that they enjoyed lunch together before he dropped her off at home. Later that evening, he reported her to law enforcement as a runaway, citing a note he alleged was written by her, which indicated plans to leave for California.

For many years, the runaway narrative prevailed until, in 2008, the Phoenix Police Department revisited her case and classified it as a potential homicide. Alissa’s belongings, including her cell phone and bank account, showed no activity, which is inconsistent with typical behavior for someone fleeing.

In a significant turn of events in 2020, following an extensive campaign by Sarah Turney, Michael was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. However, he was acquitted in 2023 due to lack of compelling evidence, leaving the mystery of Alissa’s disappearance unresolved.

Four unsettling details surrounding Alissa Turney’s disappearance

1) Alissa’s final moments

On May 17, 2001, Alissa Turney went missing after being picked up from school by her stepfather, Michael Turney. This marked an important milestone as it was the conclusion of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School. According to Michael, they had lunch together before he dropped her off at home and left again.

This marked the last sighting of Alissa. Discrepancies in Michael’s timeline coupled with an absence of supporting witnesses has raised significant doubts about his story. This confusion concerning their final interaction has only intensified speculation and scrutiny, especially since no one else reported seeing Alissa at any point after that day.

2) The questionable note

Following Alissa’s disappearance, a note was discovered in her bedroom that was supposedly written by her, expressing a desire to run away to California. This document initially led authorities to consider her case as that of a runaway.

However, uncertainty about the note’s legitimacy increased when investigators noted that Alissa had left behind her cell phone, bank cards, and various personal items—articles she would likely have taken if she intended to leave for good.

Retired detective Stuart Somershoe remarked to ABC News in 2023:

“Typically, runaways leave without notifying anyone, as they prefer not to be found.”

3) Disturbing finds during a home search

In December 2008, a search of Michael Turney’s residence uncovered an arsenal of weapons and 26 homemade pipe bombs. Although these items did not appear directly related to Alissa’s disappearance, they raised alarms about Michael’s potential for violence.

Furthermore, investigators found a 98-page manifesto titled “Diary of a Madman Martyr,”in which Michael alleged that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers was implicated in Alissa’s disappearance and outlined plans for a mass attack. Such material suggested a concerning mental state on Michael’s part, complicating the narrative surrounding Alissa’s case.

4) Stagnant financial activity

One compelling sign that Alissa did not leave of her own accord was the complete lack of transactions in her bank accounts following her disappearance. In statements made to ABC News in 2023, police revealed that Alissa had around $1,800 in savings that was never accessed.

Typically, runaways tend to use financial resources to support themselves but the inactivity in Alissa’s accounts suggests she may never have had the chance to utilize them, reinforcing theories that she possibly encountered foul play on the day she disappeared.

5) Sarah’s public advocacy and Michael’s arrest

Driven by the ongoing lack of closure and increasing concerns, Alissa’s sister, Sarah Turney, initiated a social media movement that generated renewed interest in the case. This resulted in the 2020 arrest of Michael Turney on charges of second-degree murder, many years after Alissa’s vanishing.

The arrest was grounded on circumstantial evidence accumulated throughout the prolonged investigation and public demand for justice. Nonetheless, in 2023, the charges against Michael were dismissed due to insufficient evidence, leaving numerous questions unanswered and the pursuit of justice for Alissa Turney’s disappearance ongoing.

The unsettling story of Alissa Turney was featured in Oxygen’s series “Family Secrets: The Disappearance of Alissa Turney.”

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