The disappearance of a Virginia high school football coach has sparked a widespread search as his team competes for a state title.
Travis Turner, who is the head coach for Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, has been missing since Thursday, November 20.
The Virginia State Police stated that investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were sent to Turner’s residence on Thursday; however, while they were traveling there, they learned he was not home.
Officials wanted to speak with Turner, 46, early in an investigation into an unnamed individual in Wise County, where Turner resides. Police stated that the agents were not going to Turner’s home to take him into custody.
The investigation’s particulars have not been disclosed.
Wise County Schools made it known that an unnamed employee was put on administrative leave on Friday, November 21.
“Currently, a staff member is on administrative leave with pay while an outside agency examines an allegation that was reported to us,” the statement said. “This is a normal step and not a judgment of wrongdoing. The division is unable to offer additional details.”
The Virginia State Police have verified that an active search for Turner, which started on Friday, is ongoing.
“We listed him as an endangered missing person and started our searches,” Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Jason Day told News Channel 11 on Saturday, November 22.
Day added, “We have deployed drones for aerial surveillance and search efforts” along with assistance from nearby K-9 units.
After inclement weather prevented the use of state aviation resources, a helicopter was used on Saturday to look into a wooded area close to Turner’s house.
“He had entered the woods very close to his house, and that’s primarily where we’ve focused our search efforts,” Day stated.
Turner was absent when Union High School played Graham in the second round of the playoffs, resulting in a 12-0 victory. Union has a flawless 12-0 record.
Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth informed News Channel 11 that Jay Edwards will be the interim coach while Turner is away.
“Today is really about the students both here and at Union High School,” Goforth told the news source. “As you know, I’m unable to discuss staffing issues, and I truly believe that individuals should review the statement we issued yesterday. Please refer to the previous statement, as we have no additional comments at this time.”
Union is scheduled to play Ridgeview High School in the regional state semifinals on Saturday, November 29.
Since 2011, Turner has been a coach at Union High School.
According to ABC 33/40, Leslie Caudill Turner, Turner’s wife, posted about her husband’s disappearance on Facebook, but the post has since been taken down.
Leslie said that Travis was “missing and that’s all we know.”
Travis spoke with a local reporter just days before he went missing, on November 15, after Union’s victory over Lee High School in the regional state quarterfinals.
“I felt we did a solid job adapting to their offensive strategy,” Travis commented. “I believe our players made the necessary adjustments. It’s a different experience playing on a Saturday for the first time.”
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