The search for missing high school football coach Travis Turner continues, nearly two weeks after his disappearance. Turner vanished into the woods behind his family home on November 20. This occurred days before he was officially accused of five counts of child pornography and five counts of soliciting a minor using a computer.
Turner, 46, serves as the head coach for Union High School in Stone Gap, Virginia. His lawyer, Adrian Collins, stated on November 28 that the coach "left his residence to walk through the woods with a firearm."
Authorities officially classified Turner as a "missing person in danger" on November 22. The subsequent search has involved K-9 units, drones, and a helicopter. Efforts have focused on the densely wooded area near the Turner residence in Wise County, Virginia.
Wise County is a rural region characterized by rivers and forests of varying elevations. Despite extensive efforts by both official agencies and the Turner family, he remains missing and is considered a "fugitive" by police.
John Miller, CNN’s chief intelligence and security analyst, suggested advanced methods might be necessary. He noted authorities could deploy motion sensors that signal a base station or thermal-sensing drones to track movement.
CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert indicated that local weather conditions have also been a factor. Since Turner’s disappearance, the area has experienced warmer-than-normal temperatures with only light rainfall. This has not been enough to cause flooding.
Eddie Blair, whose wife was a high school classmate of Turner’s, told The Athletic that the coach is exceptionally familiar with the Appalachian wooded terrain. Blair stated Turner knows the area "better than most people."
Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, promptly notified local police when her husband did not return on November 20. The family’s attorney confirmed she was initially told a missing person report could not be filed for at least 24 hours.
She then filed a missing person report with the Virginia State Police the following day. The family has fully cooperated with law enforcement in their ongoing search efforts.
The Turner family, alongside friends, has also conducted their own searches. Their efforts have been limited by weather conditions and out of respect for official operations.
Travis and Leslie Turner are parents to three children: Bailey, 25, Grayden, 21, and Brynlee, 11.
Attorney Adrian Collins addressed the charges against Travis in a separate statement released on behalf of the family on November 25. The statement conveyed prayers for Turner’s safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances.
It affirmed confidence that "God will bring truth and clarity in due time." The statement also asserted that all accusations should be handled through the proper legal process, not through speculation. The family requested compassion, accuracy, and respect for their privacy from the public and media.