The Virginia State Police have intensified their search for Travis L. Turner, the 46-year-old football coach from Union High School, who has been officially declared a fugitive after vanishing from his residence.
On Tuesday, authorities revealed that they have secured ten warrants, which were issued on Monday, to formally accuse Turner of five counts of possessing child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
Officials confirmed that the investigation is still active, with potential for more charges to be filed. Turner’s disappearance last week has now led to him being labeled as a fugitive, according to the VSP.
Reports from the Virginia State Police indicate that Travis Turner, the head football coach at Union High School, has gone missing. This information was shared by Leslie Turner on Facebook.
State police reported that Turner was first noted as missing on Friday, November 21, just a day after officers visited his home in Appalachia, Virginia.
Special agents from the VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office were on their way to his residence on Thursday as part of the preliminary phase of their investigation. Their visit was not intended for an arrest, but upon arrival, they found that Turner was no longer present.
Since his disappearance, police have deployed search and rescue teams, drones and K-9 units in an effort to locate him.
“Our main priority is locating Turner safely,” the VSP said in a statement, noting that the search is ongoing across multiple jurisdictions.
Authorities are asking anyone with information on Turner’s whereabouts to contact Virginia State Police Division 4 at (276) 484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Tips can be made anonymously.
Virginia State Police have launched a search for Union High football coach Travis Turner, whose disappearance has stunned the Big Stone Gap community. (Virginia State Police)
A recently surfaced video from the Union Sports Network’s Instagram feed is now believed to show Turner’s final public interview before his disappearance.
The interview was conducted on-field at Bullet Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, moments after Union’s 40–7 victory over Lehigh in the Region 2D quarterfinals on Nov. 15. Speaking with host B.J. Richardson, Turner praised his players’ resilience and senior leadership.
“I thought our kids adjusted, played hard and overcame some adversity,” Turner said, noting that his team pushed through questionable penalties. “There was no panic. We just continued the course and played football.”
At the time, Union High was undefeated and preparing to face defending state champion Graham High School in the following week’s playoff match-up.
“They’re super athletic, and we’ve played each other 15 or 16 times now,” Turner added with a grin. “It’s going to be a battle, and our kids will be ready.”
Union High School head football coach Travis Turner, who has been reported missing, in an undated photo released by the Virginia State Police. (Virginia State Police)
Turner’s disappearance has left the rural Virginia community reeling. Wise County Public Schools previously confirmed that an unnamed employee had been placed on administrative leave with pay pending review of an external allegation but did not identify the employee or confirm whether the matter involved Turner.
“A staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to the division,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Goforth said in a statement. “This is standard procedure and is not a determination of wrongdoing.”
The district said it could not comment further due to the active law enforcement investigation.
Leslie Turner took to social media following her husband’s disappearance, urging friends to “please pray.” (Leslie Turner/Facebook)
In a since-deleted Facebook post obtained by News Channel 11, Turner’s wife said Friday that the coach was missing, “and that’s all we know.”
“We love him and need him here with us,” she wrote. “Just keep praying that he comes home.”
Turner comes from a long-established football family. His late father, Tom Turner, coached at Apalachee High School and led his teams to five state championships during his 26-year career before his death in 2006.
