What Happened to Alissa Turney? Who is Alissa Turney?
by P Nandhini | Updated Dec 02, 2023
What Happened to Alissa Turney?
On May 17, 2001, Alissa Turney, a 17-year-old girl from Phoenix, Arizona, mysteriously disappeared, sparking a case that remains unsolved. The last day of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School took an unexpected turn when she argued with her stepfather, Michael Turney, over her desire to stay out late with friends.
The disagreement led to Alissa skipping a planned party, and later that night, she supposedly left a note stating she was running away to her maternal aunt's house in California. However, the peculiar circumstances include Alissa leaving her belongings, including her cell phone, behind. As the investigation unfolded, it revealed unsettling details about Alissa's home life. Michael Turney, her stepfather, became the main suspect.
The discovery of homemade explosives and surveillance devices in his Phoenix home added complexity to the case. Alissa's disappearance took a darker turn, with allegations of coercive control, surveillance, and psychological abuse by Michael Turney. Despite efforts to uncover the truth, Alissa's fate remains unknown, making her disappearance a haunting mystery that has persisted for over two decades.
Who is Alissa Turney?
Alissa Turney, born on April 3, 1984, in Phoenix, Arizona, was a teenage girl known for her social and artistic nature. Her mother, Barbara Farner, remarried Michael Turney when Alissa was three years old, and together they had a daughter named Sarah Turney. Alissa faced challenges growing up, particularly after her mother's death when she was nine years old.
Despite the difficulties, she attended Paradise Valley High School, worked part-time at Jack in the Box, and was remembered by friends and family for her dreams of moving to California. Alissa's relationships within her family, especially with her stepfather Michael, were marked by tension, and she often expressed a desire to escape her home life for a fresh start.
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Alissa Turney’s Disappearance Case
The disappearance of Alissa Turney on May 17, 2001, remains an unsolved mystery that has puzzled investigators for over two decades. On the last day of her junior year in high school, Alissa had a heated argument with her stepfather, Michael Turney, which seemingly led to her decision to run away to California, as indicated in a note found in her bedroom.
However, the case took a troubling turn when it was revealed that Alissa left her personal items, including her cell phone, behind, raising questions about the authenticity of her supposed departure. As the investigation progressed, it uncovered disturbing details about the Turney household. Michael Turney became a prime suspect after authorities found evidence of surveillance devices, homemade explosives, and a 98-page document titled "Diary of a Madman Martyr" in his Phoenix home.
Alissa's sister, Sarah Turney, initiated a social media campaign and podcast to shed light on the case, leading to Michael's arrest in 2020 on charges of second-degree murder. Despite the arrest and subsequent trial, the case took an unexpected turn when Michael Turney was acquitted of all charges in July 2023, leaving the mystery of Alissa Turney's disappearance unresolved.
What Happened to Alissa Turney - FAQs
Alissa Turney went missing on May 17, 2001.
Alissa Turney lived in Phoenix, Arizona.
On the last day of her junior year, Alissa had a heated argument with her stepfather, Michael Turney.
Alissa supposedly ran away after the argument with her stepfather, expressing in a note that she was going to her maternal aunt's house in California.
Alissa left her personal items, including her cell phone, behind, raising questions about the authenticity of her departure.