Dateline NBC intends to revisit the disappearance of 17-year-old Alissa Turney in Phoenix, Arizona. The upcoming episode, titled ‘The Day Alissa Disappeared,’ will reveal startling details about the case. The episode will air on the network on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET.
Alissa Turney disappeared from Phoenix, Arizona, on May 17, 2001, and since that day, her whereabouts remain a mystery. The police found a note in her bedroom stating she was running to California, leading them to believe she was a rebellious runaway.
After years of investigation, authorities arrested Alissa’s stepfather, Michael Turney, on the second-degree murder charges. After the trial began, the prosecutor tried to prove how the strained relationship between Alissa and Michael was the reason of her disappearance and possible death.
Shockingly, the prosecution couldn’t prove that Michael was responsible for Alissa’s disappearance, and the court acquitted him on all charges. He was released from the jail soon after. Following his release, questions regarding his current whereabouts and whether he is still alive or not still arise. So, let’s delve into that.
Michael Turney now: Alissa’s stepfather still wants to find her killer
It’s worth noting that authorities have released Michael Turney from jail, and he is now a free man. Although his current whereabouts are unknown, Michael has continued to maintain his innocence. After getting released from jail, he told ABC15 Arizona that he didn’t feel good because he lost his whole family. In the same interview, he made it clear that he would never stop looking for his stepdaughter, Alissa Turney.
On May 17, 2001, Michael took Alissa to school and picked her up around lunchtime. During their lunch, they argued, and the latter expressed her desire to stay out later at night with her friends. Her stepfather refused, leading her to storm off. Alissa didn’t come home that night, and Michael eventually called police.
During their investigation, police discovered some disturbing information about Alissa’s relationship with her stepfather. Reports indicated that Michael Turney had allegedly attempted to sexually abuse Alissa, something she had told to her friends.
In 2020, authorities arrested Michael on second-degree murder charges, nearly 20 years after the disappearance. The trial started in the case and went for five days. As per the defense, the prosecutors couldn’t provide substantial evidence against Michael. The court acquitted him in the Alissa Turney case and released from jail.
Although his current whereabouts are unknown, Michael Turney’s family doesn’t live with him and some of his children even testified against him in the case.
