Woman's Post Online Helps Crack Her Missing Sister's Case Decades Later
May 17, 2001 — the last day Sarah Turney saw her half-sister Alissa alive. For years, the circumstances surrounding Alissa's disappearance haunted Sarah day and night, leading her on a desperate search for answers. But as Sarah dug deeper into the 17-year-old's mysterious fate, she discovered that the one person she had spent years protecting was actually the one she should've feared the most.
Runaway
Strangely enough, Alissa's disappearance didn't faze Sarah much at first. The high schooler would talk openly about her desire to run away. So, when she vanished on that May morning, 12-year-old Sarah wasn't surprised.
She'll Be Back
In fact, Sarah even spotted a note in Alissa’s bedroom that seemingly confirmed 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. And she'd have to come back eventually.
No Worries
"I wasn't worried," Sarah told People. "I was under the impression [Alissa] 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 had been just four years old, her mother, Barbara Strahm, had died from lung cancer. And, naturally, 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.
