Union High School football head coach Travis Turner has been reported missing in Wise County, Virginia. The 46-year-old coach was last seen on Thursday and officially declared missing by the Virginia State Police on Friday.
Authorities responded to a non-criminal complaint at Turner’s home near Appalachia on Thursday evening but found no trace of him. According to the police, Turner was wearing a gray sweatshirt, matching sweatpants, and glasses when last seen.
Turner’s disappearance comes as a shock to the local community and the Union High School Bears team, which boasts an undefeated 11-0 record this season. He has been leading the team since 2011 and guided them to a postseason berth this year.
Search efforts for Turner involve K-9 units, drones, and ground crews that are scouring the area extensively. Meanwhile, Wise County Public Schools placed an unnamed staff member on paid administrative leave as part of an internal review connected to external allegations.
The school division’s superintendent, Dr. Mike Goforth, stated the administrative leave is standard procedure during ongoing law-enforcement matters and is not an accusation of wrongdoing. No further comments have been made by the school district due to the active investigation.
Turner’s wife, Leslie Turner, posted on Facebook that her husband was missing, saying, “that’s all we know.” This post has since been removed. Authorities have not shared any information about the nature of the complaint or whether foul play is suspected.
Community members remain concerned as the investigation continues without new leads. Officials are asking anyone with information on Turner’s whereabouts to contact the Virginia State Police at (276) 228-3131.
Union High School and local residents are anxiously awaiting updates as search teams persist. The loss of their coach under such uncertain circumstances has left the undefeated team and community deeply unsettled.
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