A Virginia high school football coach who disappeared is wanted on criminal charges. Travis Turner of Appalachia, Virginia, went missing as police approached his home with questions. Now they are saying he’s being considered a fugitive because they discovered he possessed child sexual abuse materials before he vanished. Turner’s disappearance certainly makes it seem like he knows he’s done something horrific.
Virginia State Police say Turner, 45, has been missing since November 20, 2025, ABC News reported. On November 24, state police obtained 10 warrants for Turner: five counts of possession of child pornography, and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. Additional charges are pending, police say.
Agents from the state police were on their way to Turner’s house on November 20 as part of an investigation. They made it clear they were not there to arrest him. However, they were told he wasn’t there.
“Police are actively searching for Turner,” Virginia State Police noted in a statement shared by the outlet. “Since his disappearance, VSP has utilized a number of assets, including search and rescue teams, drones and k9s, to assist in the search. VSP’s main priority is locating Turner safely; he is now considered a fugitive.”
Turner was added to the state’s missing person database the weekend after he went missing, according to a report from Newsweek.
Leslie Caudill Turner, his wife, acknowledged his disappearance in a since-deleted Facebook post. “As of right now…Travis is missing, & that’s all we know. We love him & need him here with us…Just keep praying that he comes home,” she wrote.
Before he went missing, Turner was a football coach at Union High School in Wise County. Currently, his team is having an undefeated season that has not slowed down since he disappeared.
In a statement to USA Today, Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth said the district was aware of “a staff member who has been on administrative leave.” The district never explicitly named Turner in the statement.
“The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” Goforth continued, per USA Today. “The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward. Because this is an active legal matter involving personnel, the division cannot comment further.”
In a statement shared by ABC News, Turner’s relatives said they “remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.”
“Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process – not through speculation or rumor,” their attorney, Adrian Collins, shared. “We ask the public and media to show compassion, accuracy, and respect for the family’s privacy.”
According to police, the investigation continues. Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses. He has brown hair and eyes and is 6 feet 3 inches tall.
