The missing Virginia football coach wanted on child sex abuse charges walked into the woods with a gun, family says

The high school football coach from Virginia who went missing on November 20 and it was later revealed he was wanted on charges of child sex abuse material, he was last seen walking into the woods with a gun, the coach’s family says.

An explanation from a law firm representing the family of Travis Turner, released Friday, said: “The last known contact the family had with Travis occurred on or about Thursday, November 20, after he left his residence to walk through the woods with a firearm. It is believed he entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area.”

At the time, according to defense attorney Adrian Collins’ statement, no warrants had been issued for Turner’s arrest.

When Turner did not return home that evening, his wife notified police, the attorney’s statement said.

“She was informed that a missing persons report could not be filed until at least 24 hours had passed,” the lawyer’s statement said. “The next day she filed a missing person report with the Virginia State Police. The family has fully cooperated with law enforcement in their continued efforts to locate Travis.”

Officers from the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office were en route to Turner’s home on Nov. 20 as part of an investigation when they were told he was no longer there, police said.

State police later obtained a total of 10 arrest warrants for Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, including five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, authorities said.

Turner is a physical education teacher and head football coach at Union High School, in the Wise County Public School District, according to the school’s website. Amid his disappearance, the football team advanced to the Virginia Regional Finals during a 12-0 season and remains undefeated.

Virginia State Police said earlier this week they were actively searching for Turner.

“Since his disappearance, VSP has used a number of resources, including search and rescue teams, drones and K9s, to assist in the search,” state police said in a statement. “VSP’s main priority is to safely locate Turner; he is now considered a fugitive.”

The statement from the Turner family attorney said relatives and friends also searched the woods.

“These efforts are limited by weather conditions and with respect to ongoing official operations,” the statement said. “It is the family’s prayer that Travis is safe and given the opportunity to defend himself in court.”