Phoenix Police Arrest Stepfather In 20-Year-Old Cold Case

PHOENIX — A Phoenix teen's disappearance remained a mystery for nearly 20 years. Now, an arrest has been made in her killing, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

Michael Turney has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his stepdaughter, Alissa Turney. The 17-year-old disappeared at the end of the school year in 2001 and was reported by her stepfather as a runaway. But police eventually suspected foul play and began a criminal investigation into her disappearance in 2008.

After conducting over 200 interviews, Phoenix police officials executed a search warrant on Michael Turney's property and discovered his plans to bomb a local union. He was taken into custody and served 10 years in prison for the bombing plot, officials said. He was arrested yet again on Thursday afternoon in connection with Alissa's death.

Details on new evidence that led to the arrest were not immediately available. Alissa's missing persons case will remain open until "recovery is made," officials said.

Sarah Turney has been a vocal advocate for her sister, even starting a podcast called "Voices for Justice."

"Never give up hope that you can get justice," she tweeted shortly after the announcement. "It took almost 20 years but we did it."