Missing Virginia football coach Travis Turner left his home with a firearm before he vanished into a heavily wooded area while under investigation for multiple counts of child pornography, his family revealed Friday.
Turner, the widely celebrated head coach of Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Va, was last seen at his Appalachia home on Nov. 20 — the same day a family member claimed the fugitive disappeared with the weapon.
“On behalf of the family of Travis Turner, I wish to express their sincere gratitude to all who have shown concern during this difficult time,” family attorney Adrian Collins said in a statement obtained by WJLA.
“The last known contact the family had with Travis occurred on or about Thursday, November 20, after he left his residence to walk in the woods with a firearm,” Collins added.
Turner was being investigated for five counts of possession of child pornography and five for using a computer to solicit a minor.
Police were reportedly on their way to his home the day he disappeared to question him over the accusations.
Collins refuted reports that investigators issued 10 warrants for the 46-year-old’s arrest for the disturbing child sex allegations.
“He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area. At which point, no warrants had been issued for his arrest,” the lawyer said.
He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, police said.
Turner’s family has denied the disturbing allegations against him, calling the football coach a “good dad and a good husband.”
His wife, Leslie Turner, reported her husband missing after he didn’t return home the night he left and filed a missing-person report with the Virginia State Police on Friday, Nov. 21, Collins said.
“The family has cooperated fully with law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to locate Travis,” he said.
Turner’s family members have conducted their own manhunt through the wooded areas, but have been limited by poor weather conditions and their efforts to stay out of the way of the police investigation, Collins revealed.
“It is the family’s prayer that Travis is safe and will have the opportunity to defend himself in a court of law,” he said.
It was not known what type of firearm Turner possessed, but Leslie Turner previously ignored rumors that her husband was seen carrying a rifle, telling the Daily Mail she was “told not to comment.”
Wise County Public Schools, which oversees Union High, placed Turner on paid administrative leave at least four days after he split town.
The school has since scrubbed Turner from its website.
Turner worked for the school for 11 years as a coach and physical education teacher.
The only Turner that shows up is his son, Bailey Turner, who also works there. There is no head coach for varsity football listed.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
