"I think he kind of saw everything fall away in front of him and thought his only opportunity to save his life was to get rid of Alyssa. Finally, this burden that he had talked about his whole life, you know, he always talked about what a handful she was, her little pistol she was, you know, out like called her a bitch from a very young age. This was finally his chance to get rid of her and become super dad like he thought he was." — Sarah
"The fact that she would have taken $300 from you is just odd to me because she has saved $1,800 as she wrote in her note that she'd been saving her money and she didn't take it. And then she writes her name in a style that she never writes her name which usually uses a very large lowercase as opposed to a capital A. So those two parts are just so strange to me they just don't make any sense." — Sarah
"And then my father went in there and tried to cover everything up. They had all the children. Well, they set out all the guns on the back of the truck. They covered it up with blankets and had all the kids sit on top and tell them not to talk to the police apparently. And she almost died, but did not. And um, he, no one was ever charged." — Sarah
The episode centers on the disappearance of Alyssa Turney in 2001, a case that gained renewed attention due to a serial killer's false confession. Investigations revealed that Alyssa's stepfather, Mike Turney, took her out of school the day she vanished. The absence of crucial video and audio recordings from the day of her disappearance raised immediate suspicion. Further complicating the narrative are accusations of sexual molestation made by Alyssa against her stepfather, which were reportedly known to multiple individuals, including a teacher, friends, and family members, yet not adequately addressed by authorities.
Sarah, Alyssa's half-sister, recounts her evolving perspective, expressing shock upon learning of the extent of the alleged abuse and her father's potential involvement. She details disturbing evidence, including contracts requiring Alyssa to sign statements denying molestation and letters from friends corroborating the abuse allegations. The investigation also uncovered a concerning pattern of alleged abuse and cover-ups within the family, including an incident where Mike Turney reportedly assisted his brother in covering up an attempted murder. This history suggests a deep-seated pattern of problematic behavior within the family.
The conversation highlights the significant challenges in pursuing justice for Alyssa. Despite numerous tips and a petition with tens of thousands of signatures, police are reportedly not actively investigating, citing the need for a body. This stance is met with frustration, as the police are unwilling to conduct searches or accept external funding for such efforts. Sarah expresses a strong belief that her father is responsible for Alyssa's disappearance and potential murder, citing inconsistencies in his statements and the suspicious timing of her mother's death relative to a life insurance policy. The episode emphasizes Sarah's relentless pursuit of truth and justice, encouraging listeners to support her petition and the ongoing investigative podcast.