Echoes of a Missing Daughter: Unraveling Alissa Turney’s Cold Case
Alissa Turney went missing from Phoenix, Arizona, on May 17, 2001, when she was just 17 years old. Her car, phone, and $1,800 in savings were left behind. A note said she was running away to California, but no one ever saw her again.
This sudden loss shattered her family and stunned her community. Two decades later, the unanswered questions still echo in every new lead and courtroom hearing.
In this article, we trace Alissa Turney’s journey from her early years to her unexplained disappearance. We explore how investigators first ruled out foul play and later shifted suspicion to her adoptive father, Michael Turney.
We review the weapons charges he served and the second-degree murder trial that ended in acquittal in July 2023. We highlight sister Sarah’s tireless advocacy and media features that kept the case alive. Ultimately, we explain why this unresolved mystery remains significant to the families of missing persons and law enforcement alike.
Alissa Turney’s Early Life and Family
Alissa Marie Turney was born on April 3, 1984, in Phoenix. Her parents, Barbara Farner and Stephen Strahm, divorced when she was three years old. Barbara then married Michael Turney, who adopted Alissa and her brother John.
The couple later had a daughter, Sarah. After Barbara died of cancer in 1993, Michael raised the blended family alone. Alissa enjoyed drawing, writing, and working at Jack in the Box. Friends remember her as kind and cheerful. She seemed poised for a bright future before her sudden disappearance.
The Day She Disappeared
On May 17, 2001, Alissa left Paradise Valley High School for lunch with Michael. They argued over her desire for more freedom. Michael claimed he ran errands and returned to find only a note saying Alissa had gone to California with $300.
She left behind her car, phone, and $1,800 in the bank. That night, Michael reported her missing around 11 p.m. Police accepted the runaway note and classified her as a missing teen rather than suspect foul play. The lack of early leads hampered the investigation from the start.
Failed Search and Shifting Theories
Authorities did not initially search Michael’s home. They believed the California note and a reported 29-second call from a payphone signaled a voluntary runaway. In 2006, convicted killer Thomas A. Hymer claimed he had met and murdered Alissa before dumping her body at a recycling plant.
He later failed a polygraph and admitted he had confused her with another victim. Detectives then reclassified the case as a homicide and began re-interviewing family and friends amid fresh theories.
View this post on Instagram
Threats and Accusations
On December 11, 2008, police executed a search warrant at Michael’s home. They found over two dozen improvised explosive devices, 19 firearms, two homemade silencers, and a manifesto planning an attack on a union hall.
Michael claimed that union assassins killed Alissa. He pleaded guilty to weapons charges in April 2010 and served seven years of a ten-year sentence. Friends had told police Alissa feared Michael, citing cameras and wiretaps in the house, but no physical evidence tied him to her disappearance.
Legal Battle and Acquittal
Prosecutors charged Michael Turney with second-degree murder on August 19, 2020. His trial began in July 2023. The defense argued there was no body, no DNA, and no direct proof. On July 17, 2023, the judge granted a Rule 20 motion for insufficient evidence.
The court dismissed the murder charge without prejudice on July 18. Michael walked free, still maintaining his innocence. The case illustrates how legal standards can thwart convictions in long-standing cold cases.
View this post on Instagram
Ongoing Impact and Unresolved Fate
Alissa’s body has never been found, and the case remains open. Her sister Sarah turned to social media and interviews to demand justice. “I wasn’t worried, but I never thought she would be gone forever,” Sarah said.
“In my heart, I feel certain that Alissa is gone.” Her story has featured on Dateline NBC, 20/20, and podcasts like Missing Alissa. Families of missing persons follow her case as a reminder of how hope and grief can endure together.
Final Words
Alissa Turney’s disappearance reminds us how a single event can reshape many lives. Her family’s long search exemplifies the resilience of hope in the face of heartbreak. The lack of conclusive evidence underscores the challenges of cold cases.
Yet, as long as people ask questions and share her story, Alissa will not be forgotten. Each new tip keeps her memory alive and pushes for the day when justice and closure finally arrive.
Table of Contents