Virginia football coach Travis Turner has disappeared, and he is now considered a fugitive, following his recent charges of possession of child pornography and using a computer to solicit a minor. Authorities have obtained 10 warrants to charge Turner, 46, with five counts of each crime, and the investigation into Turner is ongoing, with additional charges still pending. Turner was initially reported missing Friday, Nov. 21, one day after authorities visited his home in Appalachia, Virginia, planning to address an investigation, not make an arrest. The Virginia State Police emphasized their main priority is locating Turner safely.
While the allegations have rocked the Union High School community, some local residents have expressed surprise at the news, though others have long suspected the accusations. Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, has denied the allegations, insisting she knows nothing about them. The case is part of a pattern of misconduct at Union High School, which recently faced its own scandal with a teacher charged with indecent liberties with a child. The school district confirmed a staff member was placed on leave pending an external review, and law enforcement has since filed charges against the individual. The community remains in shock as they grapple with the fallout from Turner’s disappearance and the allegations against him.
Turner hails from a long-established football family embedded in the community. His late father, Tom Turner, also worked as a coach at Appalachia High School and led his teams to five state championships during his 26-year career before his death in 2006. The situation is deeply troubling for the school and the community, as it raises serious questions about the oversight and accountability of those in positions of authority, particularly in educational institutions. While the investigation continues, the community is left to process the impact of these allegations on their lives and the trust they once had in their leaders and mentors.