Missing Virginia Football Coach Travis Turner: A Family's Hope and a Community's Concern
The disappearance of Virginia football coach Travis Turner has raised concerns as he left his home with a firearm and ventured into a heavily wooded area while facing allegations of child pornography. Turner, the esteemed head coach of Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Va, was last seen on Nov. 20, the same day he went missing with the weapon. His family expressed gratitude for the support received during this challenging time, with the last contact being on the day he left for a walk in the woods armed with a firearm.
Turner was under investigation for multiple counts of possession of child pornography and using a computer to solicit a minor. Reports of 10 warrants for his arrest were refuted by his family attorney, who stated that he was believed to have entered a wooded and mountainous area before any warrants were issued. Turner was described as wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants when he was last seen.
Despite the allegations, Turner's family has defended him, emphasizing his role as a good father and husband. His wife reported him missing when he did not return home, prompting a missing-person report to be filed with the Virginia State Police. The family has been cooperating with law enforcement in the search efforts, conducting their own search in the wooded areas while facing challenges due to weather conditions and the ongoing police investigation.
The family remains hopeful for Turner's safety and the opportunity for him to defend himself in court. The type of firearm he possessed remains unknown, as his wife refrained from commenting on rumors about him carrying a rifle. Turner was placed on paid administrative leave by Wise County Public Schools, where he worked as a coach and physical education teacher for 11 years. The school has removed his information from its website, leaving his son, Bailey Turner, as the only Turner listed as working there, with no head coach for varsity football mentioned.