PHOENIX — Jury selection will start Monday morning for a man charged in the killing of his daughter who disappeared back in 2001.
Arrested in 2020, Michael Turney faces second-degree murder charges in the death of 17-year-old Alissa Turney, his adopted daughter.
Alissa, a junior at Paradise Valley High School, disappeared in May 2001 and has not been seen since.
Investigators said her father was the last person to see her before she vanished.
It was believed Alissa ran away after a handwritten note was found in her room saying she intended to go to California.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Más de dos décadas después, un padre va a juicio por asesinar a su hija adoptiva
Alissa's sister, Sarah Turney, became suspicious and thought that her father might know more than he was letting on.
Sarah spent years looking into what happened to Alissa, devoting herself to bringing justice to her sister.
She gathered evidence, put up billboards, created a podcast, and made Tiktok videos to bring attention to the case.
Finally, Michael Turney was arrested and charged in the case.
12News spoke to Sarah following her father’s 2020 arrest.
"I’ve been crying and trying not to cry but thank you because I couldn't have done this without each and every one of you without you guys caring so much and sharing her story.”
Alissa’s body has never been found. The trial is set to get underway on July 6.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Get to know 12News
At 12News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
12News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.
12News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.