BARELY FAMOUS: ENCORE: Sarah Turney Fights For Answers
PodcastOne | Host: Kail Lowry | Release Date: January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this raw, searching conversation, host Kail Lowry welcomes Sarah Turney—the advocate and creator of the "Voices for Justice" podcast—for a deep and personal discussion. The episode explores Sarah’s lifelong fight for her sister Alyssa’s case, her experience growing up under the shadow of family trauma, and her journey from disbelief to activism. Sarah speaks candidly about confronting the realities of abuse, manipulation, and failures of the justice system, sharing both the burdens and motivations that drive her.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Sarah’s Background and Mission ([00:28]–[00:46])

• Sarah’s work: Creator and host of Voices for Justice, originally dedicated to her missing sister Alyssa Turney and now to other unsolved cases.
  • “I started with my missing sister’s case, and then I moved on to other cases that just need justice. So, unsolved true crime cases.” — Sarah Turney [00:46]

Alyssa’s Disappearance & Early Family Dynamics ([01:46]–[02:25])

• Sarah was 12 years old when Alyssa disappeared; Alyssa was 17.
• Family dynamics were fractured after their mother's death, with their father emotionally checking out.
  • “So really, Alyssa and I were just raising ourselves. Our dad basically checked out.” — Sarah Turney [02:25]

Surveillance, Control, and Abuse ([03:17]–[07:23])

• Their father, a former law enforcement officer, was obsessively recording daily life: handheld cameras, hidden devices, and passive phone taping.
• Alyssa was closely surveilled, leading to intrusive monitoring and invasive abuse.
  • “He would, like, set it up in the corner and just record everyday movements. And then… he started hiding cameras from us and recording us secretly, which is just insane.” — Sarah Turney [03:17]
• The note allegedly left by Alyssa is believed by Sarah to have been planted by their father, referencing old incidents and estranged family.
  • “I think that note was from quite some time ago, and that my dad just kind of kept it and planted it.” — Sarah Turney [05:21]
• Alyssa was aware of some of the surveillance, including the infamous “camera in the vent,” and confided in friends.
• Sexual abuse and emotional manipulation within the family were also discussed, with Alyssa once openly calling their father a “pervert” on camera.
  • “Sarah, Sarah, Dad’s a pervert.” — Alyssa Turney, recollected by Sarah [08:28]

The Family Secret: Coming to Terms and Isolation ([09:28]–[14:58])

• Most siblings suspected the father’s involvement long before Sarah did; she was the last to believe it.
  • “Like, literally everybody [believed]. And by the time I came around, I was like, ‘Hey, I think this,’ and my brothers were like, ‘Yeah, this is essentially like our big family secret.’” — Sarah Turney [10:01]
• Sarah describes feeling blindsided by the family’s silence and the isolation that came from being left alone in that environment, even though some siblings tried to intervene or offer her an out.

Manipulation, Estrangement & Survival ([15:44]–[17:47], [22:37])

• Sarah discusses her complicated relationship with her siblings and the resentment around their inability or unwillingness to save her from her father’s manipulations.
• Their father treated Sarah differently (she was his biological daughter), even spoiling her—which she later recognized as a manipulation tactic.
  • “He spoiled me to the point where I didn’t see anything… All I could care about was, oh, I make a bunch of money at the tanning salon I work at, and, you know, I can party in my house. And so I had no idea that was going on.” — Sarah Turney [21:36]

The Bombs, Prison Time, and Shattering Illusions ([19:57]–[24:54])

• In 2008, their father was arrested—his house raided over the largest illegal bomb bust in Phoenix history (26 pipe bombs and illegal guns). He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, unrelated to Alyssa.
  • “My whole neighborhood had been evacuated because they essentially found the biggest pipe bomb and gun bust in Phoenix history.” — Sarah Turney [21:10]
• Sarah was his power-of-attorney, legal secretary, and initially a staunch supporter—only gradually accepting the truth midway through his sentence.
  • “[He] told me the police planted those bombs… I believed him. You know, he was my best friend. I truly believed that.” — Sarah Turney [24:54]

Confronting Her Father and Seeking Confession ([27:25]–[30:49])

• Sarah eventually confronted her father, who changed the subject and refused to deny involvement in Alyssa’s disappearance.
  • “You’d think as a parent he’d be like, ‘No! Like, how could you think that?’… but he just changed the subject.” — Sarah Turney [27:25]
• After his prison release, Sarah secretly recorded their in-person conversation, in which her father said:
  • “Sarah, come to my deathbed, and I’ll give you all the honest answers you want to hear.” [29:54]
  • “I’ll give a confession if the state gives me lethal injection within 10 days.” [30:18]
• Police regarded Sarah’s recordings as insufficient for prosecution.

Failures of Law Enforcement & the Justice System ([17:47]–[18:33], [43:04]–[47:58])

• Critiques law enforcement’s handling: her father’s status shielded him, they failed to visit the home, and possible evidence was missed.
  • “If somebody came out to the house that day, they could have seen, oh my gosh, well, there’s a camera here… They could have spoken to my dad… I think it would have changed everything.” — Sarah Turney [36:18]
• At trial (after he was charged with Alyssa’s murder), the prosecution failed to present damning evidence, did not call key witnesses, and ultimately the case collapsed for lack of preparation.
  • “All the things that we were told were going to be presented just wasn’t… It was truly a lack of evidence being presented.” — Sarah Turney [43:44]
• Sarah is advocating for “Alyssa’s Law,” requiring law enforcement to respond in person to reports of missing children.

Family Trauma, Advocacy, and Living with the Legacy ([49:05]–[58:50])

• Sarah has no ongoing contact with her father, who now runs a conspiracy-ridden YouTube channel, fixated on harassing her online.
  • “He essentially wants to be an influencer now.” — Sarah Turney [50:05]
• Only one sibling still maintains contact with their father, citing old-school values about family loyalty—even while believing he’s guilty.
• Sarah copes with the trauma by helping others, advocating, and sharing her and Alyssa’s story for prevention and healing.
  • “Trying to… make the world a better place… that’s where the peace comes in, for me.” — Sarah Turney [56:00]
• Sarah’s message to Alyssa: “I’m sorry. I love you. And also, just thank you… She truly was the only mother I ever knew...” — [57:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the family’s secret:

  • “My brothers were like, ‘Yeah, this is essentially like our big family secret.’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean this is our big family secret?’” — Sarah Turney [10:01]

• On being manipulated:

  • “It was literally the, like, two months after Alyssa went missing, he said, ‘I’m going to move you to the master bedroom.’ And I’m 12, right? And he says it’s because I want you to have your own bathroom so that you don’t walk around the house in a towel.” — [22:37]

• Confronting her father:

  • “He said, ‘Sarah, come to my deathbed, and I’ll give you all the honest answers you want to hear.’ And…‘I’ll give a confession if the state gives me lethal injection within 10 days.’” — [29:54–30:18]

• On true crime as advocacy:

  • “To help others gives me so much peace… At a certain point…the police…told me, your best chance of getting justice for your sister is getting media.” — [31:29]

• On justice and closure:

  • “At the end of the day, Alyssa is forever a 17 year old, and I feel like I have to take care of her as if she is my child at this point. She doesn’t have anybody else.” — [17:24]

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sarah introduces her advocacy work: [00:28]–[00:46]
• Details of Alyssa’s disappearance, note, and early theories: [01:46]–[06:07]
• Discovery and symbolism of surveillance in the home: [03:17]–[07:23], [08:28]
• Family reckoning and the "big secret": [09:28]–[10:01]
• Manipulation and isolation by their father: [13:16]–[15:44]
• Bomb bust and realization about her father: [19:57]–[21:36]
• Sarah’s confrontation and her father’s veiled confessions: [29:54]–[30:31]
• Failure of justice and trial outcomes: [43:04]–[47:58]
• Advocacy, trauma, and a message to Alyssa: [56:00]–[58:50]

Tone and Language

The conversation is frank, deeply emotional, and at times unvarnished, marked by a survivor’s directness and the host’s empathy and curiosity. Sarah is candid even when recounting painful or shocking material. Both speaker and host balance respect for the tragedy with determination to seek accountability and effect change.

Where to Follow and Support Sarah

• Podcast: Voices for Justice
• Socials: @SarahTurney on all platforms
• Additional Productions: Media Pressure (amplifying other families’ stories) [59:25]

Closing Sentiment

This episode stands out for its vulnerability and the hard-won wisdom Sarah brings to her advocacy. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in true crime as more than entertainment—a testament to perseverance in the face of personal and systemic failures.

“If there’s anything I can do, truly, from the bottom of my heart… whatever you need, I’m here to help.”—Kail Lowry [58:50]