VA VA - Search continues Saturday for Union High School football coach Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia - Missing since 20 Nov 2025

[Knox]

The VSP confirmed to News Channel 11 on Saturday that Turner is the head football coach at Union High School. According to an updated statement from the VSP on Saturday afternoon, the agency was participating in the “active search” for Turner.

The continued search comes after special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office announced they were in the early stages of an investigation involving a Wise County man.

VSP said agents were sent to the residence of Turner on Thursday, but while in transit, the agents were informed that Turner was no longer there. Turner has not been located, and the VSP confirmed the investigation is ongoing.

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/vsp-search-continues-saturday-for-wise-co-man/

 

[Knox]

APPALACHIA, Va. (WJHL) — The Virginia State Police confirmed that special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office are in the early stages of an investigation involving a Wise County man.

VSP said agents were sent to the residence of Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia, on Thursday, but while in transit, the agents were informed that Turner was no longer there.

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/vsp-confirms-investigation-in-wise-county/

 

[Knox]

Union High School football coach missing during police investigation

Police search for Union High School coach Travis L. Turner in ongoing investigation

www.wvva.com

 

[swanniee11]

YIKES. IMO, I have to think this is against a minor of some sort. If it were drugs or something I don't think it would be kept quiet however I also don't think that whatever they're looking into should be either. He's a public servant/ paid by tax payers. IMO

edit to add, not to mention if it does have something to do with a minor, other minors go to that school as well, parents should know. AGAIN IMO

 

[Knox]

YIKES. IMO, I have to think this is against a minor of some sort. If it were drugs or something I don't think it would be kept quiet however I also don't think that whatever they're looking into should be either. He's a public servant/ paid by tax payers. IMO

edit to add, not to mention if it does have something to do with a minor, other minors go to that school as well, parents should know. AGAIN IMO

I suspect you're right, something to do with a minor most likely. That he fled and hasn't been located isn't a good look - if he were innocent, I would expect him to stand his ground.

 

[Leilei]

This just popped up on my FB feed, and I had to see if it was being covered here. News agencies aren't saying a whole lot as to why just yet, but there is a whole lot of speculation out there.
Big yikes.
IMO.

 

[Knox]

Kristen Quon WCYB​

ONGOING INVESTIGATION: Virginia State police there is an ongoing investigation with Union high school football coach Travis Turner.

Here is the latest information from VSP:
“As part of the early stages of an investigation, Virginia State Police Special Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office were sent to residence of Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Va., last evening (Nov. 20, 2025). This was part of the investigation, and NOT to arrest Turner. While in transit, the agents were informed that Turner was no longer at the location.
At this time, Turner has not been located.

The investigation remains ongoing.”

Meanwhile, Wise County schools would not name anyone specifically, but did say there is an employee that is on suspension.
Here is the statement sent to News 5 by Wise County Schools.

"At this time, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to us. This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. The division cannot comment further."
News 5 has left multiple messages with Superintendent Mike Goforth and spoke with multiple school board members. So far, officials have declined to identify the staff member.

 

[louvillian08]

APPALACHIA, Va. (WJHL) — The Virginia State Police confirmed that special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office are in the early stages of an investigation involving a Wise County man.

VSP said agents were sent to the residence of Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia, on Thursday, but while in transit, the agents were informed that Turner was no longer there.

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/vsp-confirms-investigation-in-wise-county/

"The Virginia State Police confirmed that special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office are in the early stages of an investigation involving a Wise County man."

"The VSP stated that agents were not going to the residence to arrest Turner, but rather that it was part of the investigation."

A bit confused with the wording from VSP in their statement. Are we to assume that he is the Wise County man under investigation or that he is someone they're speaking to as part of the investigation into someone else? Strange way to word that statement since they end up using his name anyways

 

[Knox]

"The Virginia State Police confirmed that special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office are in the early stages of an investigation involving a Wise County man."

"The VSP stated that agents were not going to the residence to arrest Turner, but rather that it was part of the investigation."

A bit confused with the wording from VSP in their statement. Are we to assume that he is the Wise County man under investigation or that he is someone they're speaking to as part of the investigation into someone else? Strange way to word that statement since they end up using his name anyways

Legal ramifications, IMO.

Connecting the dots, Coach Turner is the Wise County man under investigation - JMO.

 

[LaborDayRN]

YIKES. IMO, I have to think this is against a minor of some sort. If it were drugs or something I don't think it would be kept quiet however I also don't think that whatever they're looking into should be either. He's a public servant/ paid by tax payers. IMO

edit to add, not to mention if it does have something to do with a minor, other minors go to that school as well, parents should know. AGAIN IMO

I agree.

 

[TexLil]

Turner was last seen entering the woods near his home, prompting officers to focus on the area surrounding his home. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and glasses.

'We have had the drones up in the air looking, searching,' Officer Jason Day of the Virginia State Police told WJHL, adding that have also deployed K-9s and tried to deploy helicopters, which were unable to fly on Saturday due to the weather.

Union High School football coach Travis Turner mysteriously disappears

Virginia State police confirmed Saturday that an active search is underway to locate Travis L Turner, 46, of Appalachia, who serves as the head coach of Union High School.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Lisbeth_S]

Legal ramifications, IMO.

Connecting the dots, Coach Turner is the Wise County man under investigation - JMO.

One other option is that despite not being the man who has been suspended (and investigated), he is in possession of incriminating material (CP? other?) and was worried the police was going there with a search warrant.

Would be interesting to know if he has taken with him anything from his home.

 

[Knox]

One other option is that despite not being the man who has been suspended (and investigated), he is in possession of incriminating material (CP? other?) and was worried the police was going there with a search warrant.

Would be interesting to know if he has taken with him anything from his home.

Good point! He's been gone a long time for a man who left on foot four days ago. I'm a little concerned he may have self terminated, hopefully though he found a ride somehow and is hiding out.

 

[Lisbeth_S]

Good point! He's been gone a long time for a man who left on foot four days ago. I'm a little concerned he may have self terminated, hopefully though he found a ride somehow and is hiding out.

It is very possible he did something drastic...

 

[Knox]

Meanwhile, the Union High football program has pressed on, even as the coach remains missing.

The Bears advanced to a regional semifinal — after an 11-0 regular season — under the leadership of assistant coach turned interim head coach Jay Edwards, one day after Turner went missing.

Union emerged with a 12-0 win against Graham High School in Virginia despite the news.

Virginia high school football coach missing amid undefeated season with massive search underway

Travis Turner, head football coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Va., has been reported missing.

nypost.com

His team was undefeated this season, glad to hear they kept their streak despite it all. This has to have rocked the players world, I would think?

 

[CrimeDawg123]

It is very possible he did something drastic...

That would not be surprising especially if it's true he was last seen going into the woods wearing sweatshirt and pants, not exactly outdoor survival wear.

 

[maamager]

Virginia H.S. football coach goes missing as undefeated team makes it to the playoffs

There's a statewide manhunt for coach Travis Turner, whose Union H.S. Bears are 12-0.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Chimera]

Guessing possible self-harm ?
Though if he was on foot and did something to himself they should have found him by now.
Articles don't say if sar dogs were utilized, unless I missed it.

Unless he had help and is in hiding.

Virginia H.S. football coach goes missing as undefeated team makes it to the playoffs

There's a statewide manhunt for coach Travis Turner, whose Union H.S. Bears are 12-0.

www.nbcnews.com

From your NBC link ; "Manhunt" sounds like he was being investigated, even though LE said they weren't headed to his home to arrest him ?
Imo.

 

[Chimera]

One other option is that despite not being the man who has been suspended (and investigated), he is in possession of incriminating material (CP? other?) and was worried the police was going there with a search warrant.

Would be interesting to know if he has taken with him anything from his home.

Bbm.
Agreed.
Or destroyed something like computers or other electronics using bleach bit or hammers ?
Imo

 

[Chimera]

Kristen Quon WCYB​

ONGOING INVESTIGATION: Virginia State police there is an ongoing investigation with Union high school football coach Travis Turner.

Here is the latest information from VSP:
“As part of the early stages of an investigation, Virginia State Police Special Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office were sent to residence of Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Va., last evening (Nov. 20, 2025). This was part of the investigation, and NOT to arrest Turner. While in transit, the agents were informed that Turner was no longer at the location.
At this time, Turner has not been located.

The investigation remains ongoing.”

Meanwhile, Wise County schools would not name anyone specifically, but did say there is an employee that is on suspension.
Here is the statement sent to News 5 by Wise County Schools.

"At this time, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to us. This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. The division cannot comment further."
News 5 has left multiple messages with Superintendent Mike Goforth and spoke with multiple school board members. So far, officials have declined to identify the staff member.

"The Virginia State Police confirmed that special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office are in the early stages of an investigation involving a Wise County man."

"The VSP stated that agents were not going to the residence to arrest Turner, but rather that it was part of the investigation."

A bit confused with the wording from VSP in their statement. Are we to assume that he is the Wise County man under investigation or that he is someone they're speaking to as part of the investigation into someone else? Strange way to word that statement since they end up using his name anyways

Pbm.
Bbm.

I was under the impression that the PBM and BBM were two different people ?
Since they have not identified the staff member on leave w/pay, but did ID Mr. Turner ?
Omo.