Massive search underway for undefeated head high school coach who went missing prior to playoff game
A massive search is underway involving multiple state agencies after a high school football coach went missing earlier this week.
Yesterday, the Virginia State police confirmed that an active search is underway to locate Appalachia, Virginia resident Travis L. Turner, who serves as the head coach at Union HS (VA).
In a statement, the agency noted they’re participating in an “active search” to locate the 46-year old Turner, who has led Union to an undefeated season and ranked as one of the top teams in the state within their division (2A)
As part of the early stages of an ongoing investigation, the Virginia State police were en route to Turner’s residence on Thursday when they learned he was not there, which prompted concerns about his safety and wellbeing as his Union squad has been preparing for a playoff matchup.
The VSP have been clear that they were not heading to Turner’s residence to arrest him, but did confirm that making contact with him was part of their investigation.
As part of the search to locate him, VSP have focused on the general area around Turner’s home and have deployed a number measures as they note him entering the woods around his home as his last known location.
“We have had the drones up in the air looking, searching,” Jason Day of the VSP shared with WJHL. “We tried to, get the state police aviation, but they were unable to fly yesterday because of the weather. We’ve had, K-9 units, bloodhounds from local departments, sheriff’s office here, and wise state police dogs into the woods, searching, you know, the local area of last known, place where, Mr. Turner may have been or had seen.”
The situation unfolds as Wise County Public schools placed one unnamed employee on administrative leave as part of an ongoing external investigation involving recent allegations that came to light. School officials have refused to identify the staff member, noting that they don’t comment on personnel matters.
Meanwhile the VSP has shared that the search for Turner will continue until he is located.
Turner has been missing since Thursday evening, and as of 11am this morning, he is listed as a missing person in the Virginia State Police missing person’s database.
What makes the story even more bizarre is that Turner’s absence comes as the undefeated Union squad was preparing to play in their second-round playoff game.
Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth shared with News Channel 11 that assistant coach Jay Edwards had stepped in to handle all coaching duties in that regional semifinal game.
Union was able to overcome the adversity dropped in their lap during yesterday’s game, coming away with a 12-0 win against Graham HS (VA) despite the cloud of questions looming around their head coach’s status. The win pushed their record to 11-0 on the season and they will take on Ridgeview HS (VA) in a regional title showdown.
Stay tuned to The Scoop as this story continues to develop.
