Alissa Turney Missing Person Case

Dec 29, 2008

Mar 25, 2024

Alissa

Turney

42

17

64 inches

65 inches

140 lbs

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

On May 17, 2001, the last day of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School, 17-year-old Alissa Turney disappeared from her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Her stepfather, Michael Turney, claimed he picked her up from school early for lunch. According to his account, they had an argument, and when he returned home later that day, Alissa was gone, leaving behind a note stating she had run away to California. Michael Turney also reported receiving a brief, angry phone call from Alissa a week later from a California pay phone. Initially, police treated her disappearance as a runaway case. However, Alissa had left behind all her personal belongings, including her cell phone, makeup, and nearly $1,800 in her bank account, which is uncharacteristic of someone planning to run away. For years, Alissa's case remained cold, with little progress made in the investigation. In 2006, a man in prison for another murder confessed to killing Alissa, but his claim was later determined to be false. The case was officially reopened in 2008, and investigators began to focus on Michael Turney as the primary suspect. A search of his home revealed a significant number of illegal weapons, including 19 assault rifles and 26 pipe bombs, for which he was arrested and served a prison sentence. Investigators also found videotapes and surveillance footage that indicated Michael had an obsession with his stepdaughter. Despite these findings, there was not enough evidence at the time to charge him in connection with Alissa's disappearance. Alissa's younger half-sister, Sarah Turney, became a tireless advocate for her sister, determined to find answers and bring her justice. She utilized social media and started a podcast called "Voices for Justice" to bring widespread attention to the case. Her efforts were instrumental in pressuring law enforcement to take another look at the evidence. In August 2020, Michael Turney was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Alissa's death. However, in July 2023, the judge in his trial acquitted him of the charges, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to convict. Alissa Turney's body has never been found, and her case remains an unsolved disappearance that has left her loved ones with unanswered questions.

May 17, 2001

Phoenix

Arizona

Maricopa County

85032

7104

Phoenix Police Department

Phoenix

Arizona

Maricopa County

85004

Stuart Somershoe

Police Volunteer

2120 North Central Avenue, Arizona

6022626151

Local

Law Enforcement

2001-10922334

Phoenix Police Department

5203

Brown

Brown

Brown