A high school football coach has gone missing in the middle of an undefeated season, sparking concern. Travis Turner, the head coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, seemed upbeat in an interview just days before he vanished. He spoke about preparing for a crucial game against a rival team, showing confidence in his players.
In an interview with Union Sports Network on November 15, just five days prior to his disappearance, Turner, 46, remarked, “It’s going to be a fight here… and our kids are ready.” He also acknowledged the strength and skills of the opposing team’s coaches.
The interview did not hint at any personal struggles or hint at the circumstances surrounding his vanishing, especially since it followed a police visit to his home linked to an unspecified investigation.
His wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, shared multiple photos on Facebook, wishing him luck before the game. However, these posts did not indicate any forthcoming turmoil.
By the weekend, Turner was officially listed as a missing person in the Virginia State Police database, and authorities were continuing their search as of Tuesday.
The strange sequence began when police reported last Thursday that Turner had been heading home to Appalachia as part of the “early stages of the investigation” when he disappeared.
Details of the investigation have not been disclosed by the police. They clarified, “This is part of an investigation, not an arrest,” and noted that while en route, investigators learned Turner was no longer at the scene.
In a now-deleted Facebook post from Friday, Turner’s wife expressed her concerns, stating, “We love him and we need him here with us. Please continue to pray that he comes home.”
The situation took a turn when Wise County Public Schools announced that some employees within the district were placed on administrative leave. It’s unclear if this involves Turner or if there’s a connection between the two events.
“One employee has been placed on paid administrative leave while an outside agency reviews the allegations reported,” said the district in a brief statement. “This is standard procedure and does not imply wrongdoing. This also involves an ongoing law enforcement matter, so we can’t provide further details.”
As of late Monday, state police reported that search teams were still combing the area surrounding Turner’s home. They mentioned using various resources, including search and rescue teams with drones and K9s, and expressed hope that Turner would be found safe.
Currently, he has not been located, and the investigation is ongoing.
