ABC 20/20 is a newsmagazine show that has been airing since 1978. The show broadcasts on ABC and was created by ABC News executive Roone Arledge. It features in-depth details about the latest true-crime stories and focuses more on human-interest stories. The show is a two-hour-long program and even features special editions.
The “Since You’ve Been Gone” section looks at true-crime disappearances and how the case has evolved over the years. It tracks the new developments in a case and presents a detailed report.
The show has also covered in detail, the disappearance of Alissa Turney, who vanished in 2001. Her case has presented startling twists and turns over the years, and ABC 20/20 looks into all the aspects surrounding the case. Here are 5 harrowing details about the case.
Lack of video footage, Sara Turney’s statements, and other details about the ABC 20/20 Alissa Turney disappearance.
1. The discovery of guns

One of the most fascinating discoveries in the ABC 20/20 “Since You’ve Been Gone” Alissa Turney’s disappearance special is that the show focuses on how Michael Turney’s house was found with lots of peculiar devices. There were guns lined up in the hallway, improvised explosive devices, and pipe bombs, which forced the authorities to evacuate not only the house, but the entire block.
ABC 20/20 dives deep into the Alissa Turney disappearance and unravels new facets about the investigation that started over two decades ago. The disappearance of the 17-year-old has baffled investigators and people for a long time, and the show promises to shed new light on the case, while also revisiting their own report back in 2001.
2. The lack of video footage

One of the most perplexing aspects about the Alissa Turney disappearance on ABC 20/20 was the fact that when the Phoenix Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit reopened the case and deemed that foul play was at hand in the case, they could not come across any video footage from the day that Alissa disappeared.
The department focused its attention on Michael Turney and even executed search warrants at his residence. While there was other video footage that was found, which was abundant in number, there were no tapes from the day Alissa had vanished.
3. The false confession of a serial killer

While the Alissa Turney disappearance was initially seen as a classic case of a runaway teenager, there soon emerged baffling new twists and turns that forced ABC 20/20 to dive deep into the case and develop a fresh report. One of those bizarre turns took place when a serial killer made a false confession.
Such an unexpected development created even more mystery and chaos as the investigation was taking place. The “Since You’ve Been Gone” special will look into these new and interesting developments in the case and where the investigation stands now.
4. The recent acquittal of Alissa’s stepfather

One of the most shocking moments in the Alissa Turney case takes place when the main suspect, Alissa’s stepfather, Michael Turney, is acquitted. ABC 20/20 presents this shocking turn of events as Michael had been accused of the murder of Alissa and is now free. Michael had given a 2009 interview to ABC News, and the ABC 20/20 program also features Michael coming back into the interview chair to shed light on his perspective.
The authorities are still trying to find out about Alissa Turney, even though there is no body and no crime scene. The special covers led detectives on the case, Stuart Somershoe and William Anderson’s insights as the investigation took new twists and turns. Even Michael’s son James Turney, provides the family perspective, and a true-crime podcaster, Ottavia McHenry, offers her insights.
5. Sara Turney’s statements during Michael Turney’s trial

The trial of Michael Turney in the Alissa Turney disappearance created a lot of media sensation and public involvement. Three years after his arrest, Michael faced trial for the second-degree murder of Alissa and being involved in the disappearance of his teenage stepdaughter. The ABC 20/20 reports that during the trial’s opening arguments, Sarah Turney, Alissa’s half-sister and Michael’s biological daughter, recounted how her father used to criticize Alissa.
On the second day of her testimony, Sarah revealed that her father had told her that he would only reveal the truth about Alissa’s disappearance on his deathbed when she asked him about it. Even detectives, witnesses, and Alissa’s former boyfriend gave their testimonies, but Michael’s defense attorneys requested an acquittal based on lack of substantial evidence, and the judge ruled in their favor. Therefore, Michael was released from custody and dismissed of all charges.