Virginia Football Coach Goes Missing, Police Discover on Route to His Home
The Union High School football team in Virginia recently celebrated a significant victory as they advanced to the regional finals. This win marked their 12th consecutive victory since starting the season in August. However, the team’s head coach, Travis Turner, was notably absent during this crucial match.
Travis Turner Goes Missing
Travis Turner, aged 46, has been missing since Thursday, prompting a missing persons investigation by Virginia State Police. Turner, who serves as both a physical education teacher and head football coach, was reportedly last seen wearing a grey sweatshirt and sweatpants, along with glasses.
Investigation Details
The situation surrounding his disappearance is unusual. On Thursday evening, special agents from Virginia State Police were dispatched to his home in Appalachia, a small town with a population of fewer than 2,000 residents. Officials have clarified that the agents were not sent to arrest Turner but rather as part of the preliminary stages of an ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not disclosed the nature of this investigation. While en route to Turner’s residence, police learned that he was no longer present. Search efforts included the deployment of search and rescue teams, drones, and K-9 units, but Turner remains unaccounted for.
Community and School Response
Wise County Public Schools, which includes Union High School, has placed a staff member on administrative leave with pay amid the ongoing inquiry. A statement from the school district emphasized that this action is standard procedure and should not be interpreted as an indication of wrongdoing.
Pastor Bryan Gunter led a community prayer before the team’s recent game, highlighting the strength of community support during this distressing time. He stated, “We can count on our community to be bigger than the situation we’re facing.”
Team Resilience
In light of these challenging circumstances, senior running back Keith Chandler encouraged his teammates to remain steadfast. “We talked in the huddle and we said, listen boys, we’re going to have to handle adversity here,” he noted after the match. Chandler emphasized the importance of unity among the team, stating, “We stick together as brothers here and we should come out with the victory.”
The investigation into Travis Turner’s disappearance continues, as authorities work diligently to gather more information.
