Dateline Silent Witness: The Mysterious Disappearance of Alissa Turney

Alissa Turney's disappearance on May 17, 2001, sent shockwaves through the small town of Phoenix, Arizona. Her family thought she was just a rebellious teenager who wanted to run away, but as time passed, it became clear that something more sinister was at play.

Michael Turney, Alissa's stepfather, reported her missing after receiving a note from his daughter stating that she was running away to California. The Phoenix Police Department initially classified the case as a runaway, but as the investigation unfolded, they began to suspect foul play.

Sarah, Alissa's younger sister, remembers her father being frantic about finding her sister. He had always been overprotective of Alissa, and Sarah recalls him passing out flyers, traveling to California multiple times, and telling everyone he was looking for her.

The family later learned that Alissa did not go to their aunt's house as she had planned. Instead, her room was left in disarray, with her phone and a note on the dresser. When they tried to call her again, the phone vibrated in the room, suggesting that someone might have been hiding in the house.

Sarah told Dateline that it wasn't unusual for kids from their neighborhood to want to head to California, but Alissa's disappearance seemed different. Her family had an argument about her desire for more freedom just days before she went missing.

Nineteen years later, Sarah is still searching for answers and advocating for justice in her sister's case. 'Finding out what happened to her has become my life,' she said. Her determination to uncover the truth behind Alissa's disappearance is a testament to the enduring power of love and family bonds.

As investigators continue to piece together the events surrounding Alissa's disappearance, one thing remains certain: justice will be served for this young woman who vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the faintest glimmer of hope.

Dateline silent witness