APPALACHIA, Va. — A new statement by the attorney for the family of a Wise County high school football coach who disappeared while under investigation on child porn charges sheds new light on the last time he was seen.
Union High School Coach Travis Lee Turner, 46, was discovered missing when police went to his home to question him Nov. 20. At the time, police said it was not their intention to arrest him, but to question him in connection with an unspecified investigation.
Officials later announced Turner is wanted on five counts of possession of child porn and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
In a statement released to media outlets on Friday, attorney Adrian Smith says Turner left home Nov. 20 “to walk in the woods with a firearm.” He added that it is believed Turner “entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area.”
When he didn’t return home that evening, Turner’s wife contacted police but was told she had to wait 24 hours to file a missing person’s report. She did so the following day. The family has cooperated fully with authorities, Collins said,
”It is the family’s prayer that Travis is safe and will have the opportunity to defend himself in a court of law,” Collins said.
Turner is described as 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 260 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing sweatpants, a gray sweatshirt and glasses.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Virginia State Police at (540) 444-7788.
