The Virginia football coach, Travis Turner, has gone missing. His family reported that he left their home on November 20, carrying a firearm and wandering into nearby woods. This disappearance coincided with an investigation into serious charges against him, including multiple counts of child pornography.
Turner is well-known as the head coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap. His last sighting was at his home, just before he vanished, prompting genuine concern from his family. They expressed their gratitude to everyone showing support during this troubling time, according to family attorney Adrian Collins.
According to Collins, the last time the family had contact with Turner was shortly after he left, supposedly to take a walk in the woods. While the police were reportedly heading to his home to question him, Collins has refuted claims that ten warrants had been issued for Turner’s arrest regarding the allegations of child sexual offenses.
He was under investigation for five counts of child pornography possession and five counts of using a computer to entice a minor. Collins stated that at the time of Turner’s disappearance, no arrest warrant had been issued and that he likely went into a mountainous, forested area.
Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. His family, including his wife Leslie, who filed the missing persons report on November 21, has rejected the troubling claims against him, describing Turner as a good husband and father.
While the family has been conducting their own search efforts in the woods, adverse weather conditions have made this difficult. Collins indicated that they are trying to avoid interfering with ongoing police searches, hoping for Turner’s safe return so he can face the accusations in court.
Details regarding the firearm Turner may have taken remain unclear. Leslie Turner said she had received guidance not to comment on specific rumors, particularly concerning the type of weapon involved.
In response to the situation, Wise County Public Schools placed Turner on paid administrative leave shortly after the news broke, and he has since been removed from the school’s website. For over a decade, Turner served as both a coach and physical education instructor at Union High School.
As of now, only their son Bailey Turner, who also works at the school, appears to have been present at their home, with no mention of a varsity football head coach currently listed.
