Virginia high school football coach who disappeared on November 20 and was later revealed to be wanted on charges related to child sexual abuse material, he was last seen walking into the woods with a gun, the coach’s family says.
a statement from a law firm representing Travis Turner’s family, published Friday, said: “The last known contact the family had with Travis occurred around Thursday, November 20, after he left his residence to walk through the woods with a firearm. He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area.”
At that time, according to attorney Adrian Collins’ statement, no arrest warrants had been issued for Turner.
Travis Turner appears in an undated photo released by Virginia State Police.
Virginia State Police
When Turner did not return home that night, his wife notified police, according to the attorney’s statement.
“He was informed that a missing person report could not be filed until at least 24 hours had passed,” the attorney’s statement said. “The following day, he filed a missing person report with the Virginia State Police. The family has fully cooperated with authorities in their ongoing efforts to locate Travis.”
Agents from the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office were en route to Turner’s home on Nov. 20 as part of an investigation when they were informed he was no longer there, police said.
State police later obtained a total of 10 warrants for Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, including five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, authorities said.
Travis Turner appears in an undated photo released by Virginia State Police.
Virginia State Police
Turner is a physical education teacher and football coach at Union High School in the Wise County public school district, according to the school’s website. Amid its demise, the football team advanced to the Virginia regional final, during a 12-0 season and remains undefeated.
Virginia State Police said earlier this week that they were actively searching for Turner.
“Since his disappearance, VSP has utilized a number of resources, including search and rescue teams, drones and k9s, to assist in the search,” state police said in a statement. “VSP’s top priority is to safely locate Turner; he is now considered a fugitive.”
The statement from the Turner family’s attorney said family and friends have also been searching the woods.
“These efforts have been limited by weather conditions and respect for ongoing official operations,” the statement said. “The family prays that Travis is safe and has the opportunity to defend himself in court.”
