“Since You’ve Been Gone”: 20/20 Reports on Alissa Turney Homicide July 18 2025

ABC’s 20/20 revisits one of Arizona’s most perplexing cold cases in its two-hour encore presentation of Since You’ve Been Gone, airing Friday, July 18, 2025, from 9:01 to 11:00 p.m. EDT. The episode, reported by veteran correspondent John Quiñones, investigates the disappearance of 17-year-old Alissa Turney, last seen on the final day of her junior year in 2001. What began as a presumed runaway case quickly unraveled into a disturbing mystery involving hidden explosives, conspiracy claims, and ultimately, a murder charge against her stepfather, Michael Turney.

This broadcast includes interviews with detectives, family members, attorneys, and true crime podcasters who played a role in keeping Alissa’s story in the public eye. For the first time since his 2023 acquittal, Michael Turney sits down with ABC News to offer his perspective on the accusations that followed him for nearly two decades.

The Disappearance That Changed Everything

On May 17, 2001, 17-year-old Alissa Turney was finishing her junior year at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Her stepfather, Michael Turney, claimed he picked her up from school at lunchtime after a disagreement. According to Turney, Alissa stormed off, and later that day, a handwritten note appeared in her room stating she was running away to California.

At first glance, the note and her age led authorities to consider it a runaway case. However, several critical details cast doubt on this theory. Alissa left behind her mobile phone, makeup, and personal belongings, including $1,800 in savings. She also missed a planned party that evening, an unusual move for a teen supposedly running away on her own terms.

A Fractured Family and Early Red Flags

Alissa’s childhood was marked by instability. Her mother died of cancer when she was nine, leaving Michael Turney—her adoptive father—to raise her, her half-sister Sarah, and his other children. Despite appearing to manage a large family, Michael’s parenting style was controlling and obsessive, particularly when it came to Alissa. Friends recalled surveillance cameras in the home and Michael’s insistence on recording phone calls. These details, once brushed off, later became focal points in the investigation.

The family dynamic became more strained in the years after Alissa vanished. Sarah, only 12 at the time of the disappearance, would later become the case’s most vocal advocate. Meanwhile, suspicion toward Michael grew within the extended family, with differing views tearing them apart. Sarah’s relentless pursuit of justice eventually brought national attention to the case.

False Leads and Explosive Discoveries

The investigation remained stagnant until 2006, when serial killer Thomas Hymer falsely confessed to killing Alissa. After further questioning, Phoenix detectives confirmed Hymer had no connection to her. In 2008, authorities reopened the case, largely due to persistent efforts by Sarah and new detectives willing to revisit the file. That same year, detectives informed Sarah that her father was the primary suspect.

Shortly afterward, a search of Michael Turney’s home revealed a cache of more than two dozen pipe bombs, 19 firearms, two homemade silencers, and a van filled with gasoline. Investigators also found a manifesto detailing a planned attack against a local union—the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers—whom Michael irrationally blamed for Alissa’s alleged murder. He was arrested on weapons charges and served 10 years in federal prison.

Media Attention and the Power of Advocacy

In the years that followed, Alissa’s case drew increased public attention, spurred by podcasts and social media. Journalist Ottavia Zappala launched Missing Alissa, a podcast that introduced the case to a wider audience. However, it was Sarah Turney’s own podcast, Voices for Justice, and her subsequent use of TikTok that dramatically shifted the case’s trajectory.

Sarah’s digital campaign drew millions of viewers and pressured authorities to take further legal action. She presented previously unseen records, phone logs, and inconsistencies in Michael’s statements. Public interest surged, and in August 2020, Michael Turney was indicted by a grand jury on second-degree murder charges in Alissa’s death.

Trial, Acquittal, and Lingering Questions

Michael Turney stood trial in Maricopa County, charged with the murder of his stepdaughter despite no body ever being recovered. The prosecution focused on circumstantial evidence, past behavior, and the strange contents found during the 2008 raid. Defense attorneys countered by pointing out the lack of forensic proof and discrediting the note’s dismissal as a forgery.

In July 2023, the court acquitted Michael Turney of all charges. The verdict left many stunned, especially Alissa’s supporters who had worked for years to bring the case to trial. Prosecutors expressed frustration at the outcome but acknowledged the difficulty of securing a conviction without a body or direct evidence. To this day, Alissa’s whereabouts remain unknown.

A Case Without Closure

Alissa Turney’s story continues to resonate because it represents more than just a missing person—it reveals the limitations of the justice system, the weight of family secrets, and the growing role of citizen advocacy. Despite the verdict, many—including law enforcement officials—believe Alissa was the victim of foul play.

The 20/20 episode features exclusive interviews with detectives who refused to let the case go cold, including Stuart Somershoe and William Anderson. Also featured are legal experts and podcaster Ottavia McHenry, who reflect on the intersection of media, justice, and public pressure in long-term missing person investigations.

The Search for Truth Continues

Though Michael Turney has been acquitted, Sarah Turney continues to push for answers, maintaining that justice for Alissa has not yet been served. With no conclusive resolution, the case remains open. Alissa Turney would be 41 years old today. Her disappearance has left an indelible mark on those who knew her and a permanent question in the public consciousness.

The 20/20 encore of Since You’ve Been Gone serves as a poignant reminder that the fight for justice can span decades—and sometimes still end without closure. The hope remains that one day, the truth about what happened on that final school day in 2001 will be uncovered.