Woman's Post Online Helps Crack Her Missing Sister's Case Decades Later
May 17, 2001 — the last time Sarah Turney saw her 17-year-old half-sister Alissa alive. For years, the circumstances surrounding Alissa's sudden disappearance haunted Sarah day and night, leading her on a desperate search for answers in the hope of finally uncovering the truth. But as Sarah dug deeper into Alissa's mysterious fate, she discovered that the one person she spent years protecting was actually the one she should've feared most.
Runaway
Strangely enough, her sister's disappearance didn't faze Sarah much at first. Alissa would talk openly and often about her desire to run away to California, so when the high schooler vanished on that May morning, 12-year-old Sarah wasn't surprised.
She'll Be Back
In fact, Sarah even found a note left behind in Alissa’s room seemingly confirming that she was headed for the Golden State. It still hurt to be without her, but at least Sarah could rest assured that her sister was safe and chasing her dreams. Surely she'd have to come back eventually.
No Worries
"I wasn't worried," Sarah told People. "I was under the impression she was going to be back. I don't think her being gone forever was anything that ever crossed my mind." After all, Sarah had already seen enough tragedy for one lifetime.
Tragic Loss
When Sarah was just four years old, her mother, Barbara Strahm, died from lung cancer. The Turney family vowed to stick together in the wake of their tragic loss — following Alissa's disappearance, however, this pact suddenly seemed to lose its meaning.
