At the time, Phoenix police did not suspect foul play and classified Alissa as a runaway. Alissa Turney went missing from Phoenix, Arizona on May 17th, 2001 at the age of 17. . Alissa Turney (born April 3, 1984) [1] was an American 17-year-old girl who was last seen in the Phoenix, Arizona area on May 17, 2001. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In one clip from 2000, it appears that Mr. Turney sat in a parking lot to film Alissa while she worked at a fast-food restaurant. Michael Turney has been arrested in the murder of his stepdaughter, Alissa Turney, who was killed in 2001. [1], Alissa's case was featured on an episode of 20/20 in October 2014, called "What Happened to Alissa?" Sarah Turney. The Phoenix Police Department Missing Persons Unit decided to reinvestigate Alissa Turneys case in 2008 and interviewed 200 people who had known her. I feel like there was not another platform where I could be as expressive.. But its a victory for Sarah nonetheless. [1] However, when Phoenix police questioned Hymer, they ultimately determined that he had not had any contact with Alissa, and he admitted he might have confused her with a different victim. And Sarah Turney, frustrated and heartbroken, was told that the best way to keep her sisters case alive was to build a following on social media. Years after Alissa Turneys disappearance on the last day of her junior year of high school in 2001, her sister Sarah wondered if shed done more than simply run away from home as her father, Michael Turney, and the police believed. And as they began interviewing people who knew her, strange details came out about Michael: That he set up extensive, sometimes hidden, surveillance cameras inside his home, and that he installed a passive recording device on their landline. He faces second-degree murder charges. Alissa Turney was last seen leaving her high school. April 3, 1984. But when she did the jump, instead of Alissa bouncing off, she did. However, in 2006 a convicted killer, Thomas Hymer falsely confessed to killing Alissa along with a slew of other missing girls. In December 2008, police executed search warrants at the house where Alissa had lived with her half-sister and stepfather, according to Sgt. I didnt really feel the need to tattle as much, she said. #justiceforalissa Never give up hope that you can get justice. She had grown up in a blended family under the care of Michael Turney, her stepfather, whod adopted her when her mother died from lung cancer. 21 Things on Sale Youll Actually Want to Buy: From J.Crew to Patagonia. It was the last day of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School.. He said they got into an argument over Alissas desire for more freedom. On Twitter, she wrote that she was shaking and crying after the indictment was announced, and she has no plans to abandon her cause now. He was always frantic about her, Sarah said. Alissa Turney, an average student with a steady boyfriend and a part-time job at the local Jack in the Box, had fantasized about running away, so when her father, Michael Turney, assured. She poked her head into her boyfriends woodworking class and said her stepfather was taking her out of school early,Adel said at the press conference. IE 11 is not supported. But then, Sarah thought more about her dad. Sergeant Cox told Dateline that allegations of sexual abuse by Michael Turney prompted investigators to focus on him after speaking to several people in 2008. Sarah danced to The Sign by Ace of Base in one video beneath text that reads, When police say your only hope of getting your pedophile/domestic terrorist father tried for your sisters murder is media exposure but you have crippling social anxiety.. And she plans to use her social media and podcast to raise awareness about other cold cases. [1][8] Michael Turney was arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to 10 years in jail. TikTok blew up like crazy, Sarah told the Phoenix New Times. [12], On May 24, 2001, Turney claimed that he received a phone call from a California number where Alissa swore at him before hanging up. What Im going to do is scream to the whole world until Alissa has justice, she wrote in a blog post last year. The TikTok seems to have done the trick. To date, she has over 1 million followers on TikTok alone. 38 Best Sneakers for Women in Every Single Style, Im On the Hunt for the Best Sunscreens Without a White Cast, Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of May 1, What to Do (and Not to Do) When Your Friend Has a Newborn, The Reality-TV Producer Sleeping With a Guitar Player, The Rivalry Between the Knicks and the Heat From the Guys Who Were There, The Knicks Vs. Heat Rivalry From the Guys Who Were There, Long Live the White House Correspondents Dinner. Turney said left around 1 p.m. to run errands and to pick up Sarah from her field trip. Alissa is my whole life. In 2010, Mr. Turney pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of unregistered destructive devices, a felony, and was sentenced to a decade in prison. Some of the information about Michaels surveillance of Alissa, his need for control of her.. [16][13], In August 2020, Michael Turney was arrested in Mesa, Arizona. May 17, 2001 was the last day of school for high school junior Alissa Turney, who lived in Phoenix, Arizona, with her stepfather and siblings. In his telling, he returned her to the family home around 1 p.m., then left to run errands. Because of that love, Alissa's light has never gone out, she said. 2014 - 2023 Marathi.TV - All Rights Reserved. Michael and Sarah found a note in her unusually messy bedroom that said shed run away from home to live in California. Thats why I saved my money.. He also refused to hand over video from the day she vanished. At the time of Alissas disappearance, she was 54 tall and 145 pounds. Dateline NBC attempted to reach Michael Turney for comment, but was unsuccessful. "I've never heard so much concern in her voice, Sarah said. She waged a yearslong social media campaign to encourage an investigation into the man she suspected most: her father, Michael Turney. In 2008, the Missing Persons Unit Detectives began to investigate further information obtained in the case.. 1,666 following. Or, look into the eerie story of Brittanee Drexel, who disappeared while on spring break in South Carolina. Because of that love, Alissas light has never gone out and she lives on in the stories and photos youve shared with the community. She would be 36 years old today. Cox told Dateline. Wedding & Marriage / Husband / Boyfriend / Dating. But she just vanished.. But as each year passed with no sightings, Alissa just leaving to start a new life seemed less likely. [12][9][14], As of April 2023, Alissa's body has not yet been found.[5]. I was under the impression she was going to be back. Alissa Turney disappeared in 2001, when she was 17. *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. The totality of circumstances known to police prompted the focus on Michael Turney as the suspect, Sgt. An average student, she had a boyfriend, a part-time job at Jack-In-The-Box, and dreams beyond her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. In the manifesto, Michael wrote of his desire to attack the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, whom he claimed had abducted and murdered Alissa. On that day she poked her head into her boyfriend's woodworking class at Paradise Valley High School and said . Im just trying to use those TikTok algorithms to spread the word. Lana Saint Clair found herself living among 4,000 pieces of clothing shed thrifted with the intention of reselling. As an adult, Sarah launched a podcast, a blog, a Facebook group, an Instagram account, and finally, a TikTok account airing details about her sisters relationship with their father; incriminating conversations theyd had; and interactions with law enforcement. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, "Ottavia Zappala: A True Crime Reporter in Search of Justice", "She is My Hero: Sarah Turney on Her Missing Sister, Alissa", "Sisters of missing Arizona children find friendship, form bond to fight for justice", "Stepfather charged in 19-year-old disappearance of Paradise Valley teen", "Missing Person Suspicious Circumstance Alissa Turney Silent Witness", "TikTok Helped Solve A 19-Year-Old Missing Persons Case", "Missing girl's stepdad gets 10 years in union hall bomb plot", "Did TikTok Help Solve a Decades-Old Disappearance? By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. In 2008, the Missing Persons Unit Detectives began to investigate further information obtained in the case.. We began to get some disturbing information that Alissa had told her boyfriend and told other friends, Somershoe said on the Missing Alissa podcast. But I turned out looking like Carol Brady.. She even wanted a white Jeep to drive around just like Cher in the movie Clueless.. According to the Phoenix Police Department, Michael Turney, previously told authorities that he picked Alissa up from her last day of school around 11 a.m. and took her out to lunch. All I can hope for is a fair trial for Alissa and my father, she said. According to the Phoenix Police, detectives with the Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit questioned Hymer, but it was determined that Hymers description of Alissa was not viable and his story was false. Here Are Five Etiquette Tips You Should Know, 10 of the World's Most Famous Conjoined Twins, How Intimacy Coordinators Make Phoenix Stages Safer for Race Issues, Sex Scenes, and More, Heres Why Mesa Game Convention ZapCon Has Pressed the Pause Button Until 2024, No 'Paws' in Service After La Gattara Cat Cafe's Founder Passes the Torch. The 21 Best Sports Bras for Every Workout. Now, nearly two decades after Alissa disappeared, Mr. Turney, 72, has been charged with second-degree homicide. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Is It Ever Okay to Ask Someone Where Theyre From?. Rubbing estrogen onto my face seemed scary, until it wasnt. Michael Turney had reported Alissa missing on May 17 to the Phoenix Police Department. Sarah wanted to reach a young audience that would share widely, and told Elle she tried to present Alissas case as objectively as she could, including as little of my own speculation as possible and just present[ing] the facts. And she appears to have had access to some facts police didnt, as Michael never agreed to speak with them. Sarah Turney, your perseverance and commitment to finding justice for your sister Alissa is a testament to the love of a sister, Adel said. I wasnt worried, she told People. During the search, investigators also found 19 high-caliber assault rifles, two handmade silencers, a van filled with gasoline cans and 26 handmade explosive devices filled with gunpowder and roofing nails. Alissa was an average student with a steady boyfriend, a part-time job at the local Jack in the Box, and a fantasy of running away from home. According to the Phoenix Police Department. She worked at the fast food restaurant Jack in the Box, and had a boyfriend. In 2001, Mike Turney reported to Phoenix, Arizona police that his 17-year-old step-daughter, Alissa, had run away to California. In April 2020, Sarah made a TikTok as well and soon built a following in the hundreds of thousands. Conveniently, the recorder had been turned off on the only morning he said Alissa had called after disappearing, Michael said. When 17-year-old Alissa Turney (shown above) never returned home on the last day of school on May 17, 2001, she was reported as a runaway. He admitted to conducting surveillance on her at work, using binoculars to spy on her., In Sarah Turneys telling, police asked her to come to police headquarters in December 2008. Your email address will not be published. But Sarah told Dateline she was informed by the Phoenix Police that they were unable to prosecute any person of interest in Alissas case at that time. Many believe that Alissa's stepfather is the culprit who has possibly kidnapped or murdered her. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/us/alissa-turney-update.html. Sergeant Cox confirms Michael Turney remains the only person of interest in Alissas case. He later admitted that he might have been mistaken. Thats all I ever wanted, is for them both to have their day in court. She says she will attend every hearing. Michael Turney also had three sons, who were already out of the house by that time. [2] There have been no confirmed communication from Alissa since she was last seen at school that day. The girls mother, Barbara Strahm, died of cancer when Alissa was just eight years old and Michael legally adopted her. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Sarah Turney told Dateline she remembers her sister being excited for summer and planning to attend a graduation party later that evening. Sarah, you said you really wanted me gone now you have it. ", "19 years after teen disappeared, stepfather arrested and charged with murder", "Phoenix woman in search of justice in missing sister's 2001 disappearance uses TikTok videos in hope of solving case", "Alissa Turney's Stepfather Has Been Charged With Murder Following A Social Media Campaign By Her Sister", "How a Grieving Sister's TikTok Campaign for Justice Went Viral and Led to Her Father's Arrest", "True Crime Tuesday: The Cold Case That TikTok Helped Solve", "How a Phoenix Podcast Host Used TikTok to Advocate for Her Missing Sister", "She Sought Justice on TikTok. There, a detective told her, We think your father did it. But in recent years, she has worked to raise awareness about what she's concluded to be her father's guilt, posting on social media with #JusticeforAlissa and working on her podcast, "Voices for Justice.". Alissa Turner disappeared nearly two decades ago on the last day of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona Alissa was last seen at her home in Phoenix, Arizona on May 17, 2001 - the last day of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School. It was May 17, 2001. She left $1,800 in her bank account and left behind her makeup, hairbrush, house keys and cell phone. Michael acknowledged that hed taken Alissa out of school that day. According to the document, Turney, who worked as an electrician in the 1980s and complained about workplace conditions, accused the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of being involved in the alleged kidnapping and murder of Alissa. Sarah said there was $1,800 left untouched in her sisters bank account. Thats all I ever wanted, is for them both to have their day in court.. Sarah Turney spent 20 years trying to uncover the truth about her sister's disappearance. Did TikTok Help Solve a Decades-Old Disappearance? Sarah Turney, your perseverance and commitment to finding justice for your sister Alissa is a testament to the love of a sister. She had so many options of places to go. The actress dodged the question while rocking a noticeable piece of new jewelry on the, How a Shopping Addiction Became a Hoarding Problem. Its one of my favorite memories.. The sisters had a five year age difference but were close. But she just vanished.. [9][10][11] That night, Alissa had had plans to go to a party, but did not attend. At the time, there were no signs of foul play or exigency based on the fact Alissa was 17 years old and had no mental/physical health issues, Sgt. It features the story of missing teen and Sarah's sister, Alissa Turney. Born on April 3, 1984, Alissa Marie Turney lived an outwardly typical life. The list of its authors can be seen in its historicaland/or the page Edithistory:Disappearance of Alissa Turney. If you didnt like Alissa and if he didnt want her in his house then why didnt he just call her Aunt that lives in California to come to get her, instead of killing her. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Sarah, who was 12 years old at the time, was finishing her last day of 7th grade with a class field trip to a nearby water park. His step-daughter Alissa disappeared nearly 20 years ago. The police raid uncovered hours and hours of surveillance footage that Michael had collected of Alissa using home cameras and contracts signed by Alissa saying Michael had never molested her. In March 2010, Michael Turney pleaded guilty to possessing 26 unregistered pipe bombs. It is possible that someone has information that would help investigators solve this case, Sgt. James, who is 10 years older than Alissa, spoke to her just a couple of months before she disappeared. The elder Turney, who is facing second-degree murder charges in Alissa's death, was arrested in Mesa, about 19 miles southeast of Phoenix, Thursday afternoon. It was the last day of classes for sisters Alissa and Sarah Turney. @saraheturney on a mission to get justice for missing teen, Alissa Turney. Ms. Turney did not only campaign for justice, she also became an amateur sleuth. In May of 2020, she began making videos on the popular video app TikTok that focused on the case. She deserves her day in court. She even wanted a white Jeep to drive around --just like Cher in the movie Clueless.. Alissa Turney lived in Paradise Valley, Arizona. When they tried to call her phone again, they heard it vibrate in the room. But as years passed with no sign of her, Sarah Turney, now 31, came to believe that Alissa was not a runaway but a victim of homicide. Her boyfriend revealed that Michael had tried fooling around with her. And most disturbingly of all, Alissa had told friends that shed once woken up tied to a chair, gagged, with Michael on top of her. In an interview with ABC News in 2009, Mr. Turney suggested that the explosives were not meant to hurt innocent people. This passion you have demonstrated to her during your journey is something that will keep Alissas memory alive forever., Alissa and Sarah Turney lived with Michael Turney, Sarahs father and Alissas stepfather, following the death of their mother from cancer. I feel terrible I wasnt able to do more when I was younger.. At the time of her disappearance, she lived with her stepfather Michael Turney and half-sister Sarah Turney. Episode Summary. Anyone with information is asked to call the Phoenix Police Department Missing Persons Unit at (602) 262-6141, Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or email phoenix.tips.ppd@phoenix.gov. That dark humor of TikTok really just lent itself to me, she said. Something wasnt right.. We were being reckless, but she was also always looking after me. And itll never stop.. He said he left to run errands and when he returned that afternoon, Alissa was gone. To People, Sarah said, I feel this is my calling now.. In 2006, a Florida mans confession brought Alissas case back into the spotlight. No charges have been pressed against Michael in the relation to the disappearance of his step daughter. Alissa never made it to that party and May 17, 2001 was the last time anyone saw her alive. The family later learned that Alissa did not go to their aunts house. Im going to do it because its the right thing to do and Alissa would have done it for me.. I get home after work and I do research - like reading 2,000 pages of public record documents and I conduct interviews for the podcast, Sarah said. Turney was very controlling of his stepdaughter, installing a home surveillance system and recording every minute of his daughters life.