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Alissa Turney was a 17-year-old girl from Phoenix, Arizona, who disappeared on May 17, 2001. Alissa was a student at Paradise Valley High School. It was her last day of junior year when Alissa disappeared.
Her stepfather, Michael Turney, reported to the authorities that Alissa had run away from home. However, when investigators reached the crime scene, they found her cell phone, car, jewellery, and other belongings were still at home. The body of Alissa Turney was never found, and the case went cold.
The investigation into Alissa Turney's disappearance started again in 2008. The authorities soon discovered that Alissa's stepfather, Michael Turney, was keeping secrets, which led to his arrest. Dateline's episode, The Day Alissa Disappeared, explores the complete story of Alissa Turney. The episode is set to be released on June 13, 2025, at 9 pm EST.
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What happened to Alissa Turney?
As reported by People, Alissa Turney was born and raised in the neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona. Her parents separated when she was three years old. Alissa's mother, Barbara Farner Strahm, went on to remarry an electrician named Michael Turney.
Michael already had three daughters from his previous marriage, who adopted Alissa and her other sibling, John. Eventually, Michael and Barbara had a child named Sarah. As per People, Alissa's mother passed away due to lung cancer when she was nine years old. Soon, Alissa and Sarah were raised by Michael as a single parent.
As reported by People, Michael was the last person who saw Alissa before her disappearance. Authorities found that around 11 am, she went to pick up her boyfriend Jon from his workshop classes. They further went for lunch and reportedly had a debate. It was around 1 pm when Alissa was dropped off at her house.
As reported by People, it was Alissa's stepfather, Michael, who first called Phoenix Police, informing them that she had run away. When authorities reached Turney's residence, they found that Alissa's car, cellphone, jewellery, and other accessories were left untouched at her house.
Reportedly, authorities found a note from Alissa's room which stated that she was going to her Aunt's house in California. However, things became more suspicious when it was found that Alissa had $ 1,800 in her bank account and none of it had been withdrawn.
What did the authorities find about the disappearance of Alissa Turney?
As reported by People, it was on May 24, 2017, when Michael Turney informed the authorities that he received a call from Alissa through a payphone, and was hung up immediately. The call was traced to Riverside, California, but authorities failed to find any evidence when they reached the scene.
As reported by Mel Magazine, it was in 2006 when a serial killer named Thomas Albert Hymer came under suspicion. Reportedly, he admitted to one of the prison guards that he killed Alissa Turney. However, when Hymer was interrogated, they found that he confused Alissa with an another victim.
As reported by Mel Magazine, the case of Alissa Turney's disappearance reopened in 2008, when her stepsister revealed that Michael was the prime culprit. It was by December 2008 that authorities began to suspect Michael Turney. Authorities opted for a search warrant at the Turney's residence and made a shocking discovery.
As reported by People, multiple ammunitions, including two silencers, 19 firearms, and dozens of homemade bombs, were found in Michael's residence. As reported by the East Valley Tribune, authorities found a full van of gasoline, along with a manifesto plotting to commit a mass rampage on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, located in Phoenix.
As reported by People, it was in April 2010 when Michael Turney admitted to possessing unregistered destructive devices. He had to spend the next seven years in federal prison.
As per People, it was on August 20, 2020, when Michael Turney was arrested and charged with second-degree felony murder of Alissa Turney. It was in July 2023 when Michael's trial began.
However, due to the lack of any physical evidence or even the victim's body, the charges against him were dropped. As reported by People, on July 18, 2023, Michael Turney was released from custody.
Check our other articles to learn more details about other cases on Dateline.
