Union Excessive Faculty soccer coach Travis Turner went lacking in November 2025 as his undefeated group pursued the state championships.
Within the wake of his disappearance, information broke that the highschool soccer coach left his residence as officers of Virginia’s Bureau of Prison Investigation had been en route to talk to him about youngster pornography allegations. His household mentioned that Turner was final seen alive with a firearm whereas heading in the direction of a wooded space close to his home.
“We stay prayerful for his secure return and for everybody affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance,” Turner household legal professional Adrian Collins mentioned in a press release on the household’s behalf on November 26, 2025. “We belief God to convey reality and readability in His time. Any allegations needs to be addressed by way of the right authorized course of — not by way of hypothesis or rumor.”
Turner’s disappearance — and the allegations levied in opposition to him — rocked the shut knit group of Massive Stone Hole, Virginia, the place the Union Excessive Faculty soccer group had been compelled to press on with the postseason with out their coach.
The seek for lacking highschool soccer coach Travis Turner stays ongoing practically two weeks after he disappeared into the woods behind his household’s residence. Turner, 46, the top coach at Union Excessive Faculty in Stone Hole, Virginia, vanished on November 20, days earlier than being charged with 5 counts of kid pornography and 5 counts […]
Hold scrolling for a timeline of key dates surrounding Turner’s disappearance.
November 20, 2025
Travis Turner was final seen by his household.
In keeping with a number of media reviews, Virginia’s Bureau of Prison Investigation officers had been despatched to talk to Turner at his residence about an open youngster pornography investigation, although he was not current once they arrived. Virginia State Police later specified that that they had no plans to arrest Turner throughout their go to.
November 21, 2025
Sensible County Public Faculties — the district during which Turner labored — introduced on November 21 that an unnamed employees member was positioned on administrative go away.
“At the moment, a employees member has been positioned on administrative go away with pay whereas an exterior company critiques an allegation that was reported to us,” Sensible County Public Faculties mentioned in a press release. “That is customary process and never a dedication of wrongdoing. The division can not remark additional.”
November 22, 2025
Turner was formally named an “endangered lacking individual” by Virginia State Police as search operations commenced.
November 22, 2025
Turner was not in attendance when his Union Excessive Faculty soccer group defeated Graham Excessive Faculty, 12-0. At the moment, Union Excessive had an ideal 12-0 file.
The varsity appointed interim head coach Jay Edward to step in for Turner in the course of the sport.
“Right now is absolutely concerning the college students right here and at Union Excessive Faculty,” Sensible County Public Faculties superintendent Mike Goforth informed Information Channel 11. “You already know, I can’t talk about any personnel issues, and I actually suppose that people must evaluate the assertion that we launched yesterday. You’ll be able to seek advice from the final assertion if there’s no additional remark right now.”
November 24, 2025
Virginia State Police confirmed that an lively search was underway for Turner, after he was final seen on November 20, 2025.
Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Jason Day informed Information Channel 11 that his group had dispatched K9 models and “drones up within the air wanting,” although their efforts had been hampered by dangerous climate. Police centered their search on “the woods proper close to the overall location of his home” as that’s the final place Turner was seen, in line with Day.
November 25, 2025
Travis’ spouse, Leslie Caudill Turner, wrote that her husband was “lacking and that’s all we all know” in a since-deleted Fb submit.
“We love him & want him right here with us. Thanks to everybody who has reached out with love & assist. It means greater than you understand. Simply hold praying that he comes residence,” she wrote.
She later deleted her social media totally.
Travis and Leslie share three kids: sons Bailey, 25, and Grayden, 21, and daughter Brynlee, 11.
November 25, 2025
Virginia State Police confirmed that Travis was being investigated on 5 counts of possession of kid pornography and 5 counts of utilizing a pc to solicit a minor. A warrant for his arrest was obtained on November 24 and he was labeled a “fugitive” from justice by authorities.
“The Virginia State Police is actively trying to find Turner,” police mentioned in a press release.
The State Police requested for “the general public’s assist in offering any info that will result in his whereabouts.”
November 26, 2025
Travis’ legal professional first addressed allegations that the coach was being investigated for youngster pornography and solicitation earlier than he disappeared.
“We stay prayerful for his secure return and for everybody affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance,” legal professional Adrian Collins mentioned in a press release on the household’s behalf. “We belief God to convey reality and readability in His time. Any allegations needs to be addressed by way of the right authorized course of — not by way of hypothesis or rumor.”
Collins concluded, “We ask the general public and media to point out compassion, accuracy, and respect for the household’s privateness.”
November 28, 2025
Collins disclosed in a brand new assertion that Travis “left his residence to stroll within the woods with a firearm” after his final identified contact along with his household.
“He’s believed to have entered a closely wooded and mountainous space,” the legal professional clarified.
Collins mentioned that the Turner household had “cooperated absolutely with legislation enforcement of their ongoing efforts to find Travis.”
November 29, 2025
The Union Excessive Faculty soccer group made it to the Virginia Excessive Faculty League Area 2D semifinals after defeating rival Ridgeview Excessive Faculty, 21-14. Edwards as soon as once more stepped in for Travis as head coach.
November 30, 2025
Travis’ son Bailey Turner informed the Each day Mail that Union Excessive Faculty’s win was “bittersweet” given his father’s disappearance. Bailey added that his household “appreciated the assist” they’ve acquired from the group.
December 1, 2025
As Virginia authorities continued investigating Travis’ whereabouts, his household introduced that they had been organizing separate search efforts.
“Members of the family and mates have additionally carried out search efforts within the surrounding woods,” Collins, the household’s legal professional, mentioned in a press release. “These efforts have been restricted by climate circumstances and with respect for the official operations underway.”
The lawyer went on, “It’s the household’s prayer that Travis is secure and could have the chance to defend himself in a court docket of legislation.”
December 1, 2025
John Miller, CNN’s chief legislation enforcement and intelligence analyst, supplied theories on why police weren’t capable of find Travis practically two weeks after his disappearance. He defined that police might have to make use of movement sensors that ship alerts again to the search group’s base, and even drones with heat-sensing skills that may observe a person’s motion.
Eddie Blair, the husband of a former highschool classmate of Travis’, informed The Athletic that it could be particularly tough for authorities to search out the coach since he knew the wooded Appalachian space “higher than most individuals.”
December 1, 2025
The US Marshals Service introduced a reward of as much as $5,000 for any info that results in Travis’ whereabouts. People with any related suggestions had been requested to name 911 or the Virginia State Police, or go to usmarshals.gov/suggestions.
The U.S. Marshalls inspired the general public to “use warning” in the event that they spot Travis as a result of he “could also be armed.”
The reward was issued after the Marshals met with members of the Virginia State Police on December 1 at Appalachia Excessive Faculty, Travis’ alma mater. Dr. Ken Lang, a former detective and head of Milligan College’s felony justice program, supplied a proof to Information Channel 11 about why the Marshals joined the investigation.
“If the FBI acknowledges {that a} native company doesn’t essentially have the sources that [are] obtainable to the FBI or different federal companies, then they’ll are available and infrequently provide their assist and help in loaning that gear or serving to them facilitate the operate of discovering this individual,” Lang famous.
December 3, 2025
The Virginia State Police supplied an replace on the seek for Travis practically two weeks after he went lacking.
“The search stays lively and ongoing with the help of the US Marshals Service and FBI,” a spokesperson informed Us Weekly. “We’re nonetheless asking for the general public’s help in offering any info that will result in Turner’s whereabouts.”
The police mentioned that they had been “following up on all suggestions acquired” because the U.S. Marshalls supplied a reward.
December 3, 2025
Bobby Taghavi, a veteran prosecutor, shared perception with the Each day Mail about what punishment Travis might face if he’s discovered alive and convicted of kid pornography and solicitation prices. The prosecutor prompt Travis might obtain “a extra critical sentence” of between 5 to 30 years in jail. (Taghavi will not be concerned within the Turner case.)
Travis could be compelled to register as a intercourse offender if convicted, that means that he might not work as a coach or bodily training instructor.
“Somebody like Travis Turner [if he is guilty] is sitting ready the place his life as he is aware of it’s, for all intents and functions, over,” Taghavi mentioned. “He’ll not be a coach, he’ll not be a instructor, he’s most likely going to have a variety of points inside his household and throughout the group, particularly if you’re residing in a small group with somebody who’s high-profile like him.”
December 4, 2025
The Turner household’s legal professional informed Us that their “final contact with Travis causes them to have nice concern for his well-being.”
“Travis’ automotive and keys had been left at residence,” his legal professional mentioned. “Travis wore contact lenses by day and glasses within the evenings. Travis’ contact lens provides and glasses had been left at residence. Travis’ pockets, license, money, and all its contents had been left within the residence.”
The household revealed that Travis was “prescribed sure day by day remedy,” which was additionally left at residence.
“It isn’t like Travis to vanish or avoid residence,” they mentioned.
December 3, 2025
Criminologist Dr. Alex del Carmen speculated that Travis might have left the nation or might have acquired assist from others in evading justice. (Dr. Carmen will not be immediately concerned within the case.)
“There’s all the time the varsity of thought that we assume there might be folks serving to him be in a unique place,” Dr. Carmen informed WCYB-Information 5. “He would have had a unique haircut, possibly even a unique id someplace. Left the nation, that’s the opposite risk.”
Dr. Carmen acknowledged that there’s “all the time the truth” that Travis might have died by suicide.
“Based mostly on all of these potentialities, we can not discard one or the opposite,” Dr. Carmen mentioned.
December 4, 2025
Travis’ spouse Leslie denied any suggestion that she helped him escape from justice on November 20, 2025.
“Prison prices weren’t obtained in opposition to Travis till days after he did not return residence,” the Turner household legal professional mentioned. “He was not a fugitive nor wished by legislation enforcement on the time he went lacking. His spouse was not serving to him escape, she was asking for assist to search out him.”
Their lawyer mentioned that the Turner household “continues to cooperate with legislation enforcement efforts to find Travis.”
“Their properties and properties have been searched a number of occasions, with their consent,” they added.
The Union Excessive Faculty group has reacted after the varsity’s longtime soccer coach, Travis Turner, went lacking amid prices of kid pornography and soliciting a minor. Turner, 46, disappeared on Thursday, November 20, as his undefeated Union Excessive soccer group was making a run within the state playoffs. “It was a shock to us,” Katherine […]
The household’s lawyer addressed why Leslie didn’t instantly contact authorities when her husband left residence.
“This was one thing he had performed a number of occasions all through the years,” their rep defined. “When [Travis] didn’t return to his residence that night, his spouse, out of concern, requested for help from legislation enforcement. As directed, she filed a lacking individual report the next day with the Virginia State Police.”
December 5, 2025
WJHL reporter Belle Johnson reported that she spoke with interim Union Excessive Faculty soccer coach Jay Edwards about the temper in school following the group’s victory over Ridgeview Excessive Faculty on November 29.
“He mentioned they’ve had pupil leaders step as much as simply type of information the youthful [students] alongside,” Johnson reported. “They’ve been telling [Jay], ‘Don’t take heed to the skin affect proper now.’”
Edwards beforehand supplied a remark concerning the group’s undefeated file on November 29, merely telling reporters: “The children are the important thing to every thing.”
December 6, 2025
The Union Excessive Faculty soccer group’s undefeated season got here to an finish once they misplaced to Glenvar Excessive Faculty, 21-20, within the Virginia Excessive Faculty League Class 2 semifinals.
December 6, 2025
Regulation enforcement veteran and criminology professor Dr. Ken Lang — who will not be immediately linked to the case — informed the Each day Mail that the seek for Travis was “like searching for a needle within the haystack” because of the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains, the place the coach supposedly disappeared.
“That’s a fairly distant, densely wooded space,” Dr. Lang mentioned. “We’re within the chilly time of the yr, and so at night time, if we’re searching for any individual, we’d ship helicopters up and use Ahead-Trying Infrared [FLIR] to search for physique warmth.”
The criminology professor acknowledged that it’s “arduous to discern” whether or not these sensors detect an individual or, for instance, a “deer that has bedded down for the night time or different animals.”
December 8, 2025
WCYB-5 Information reported on a “tense” assembly of the Sensible County Faculty Board, the place chair Larry Greear introduced that he wouldn’t permit “open expression” from the general public. The native station mentioned mother and father had been “aggravated and anxious about what they are saying is an absence of communication from the varsity board.”
“Our most important focus is the youngsters, we wish to hold them as regular as attainable,” Greear defined. “We’ve sources, we’ve counseling providers obtainable along with what they ordinarily have at that specific web site.”
Greear promised that public remark could be reinstated on the Sensible County Faculty Board’s subsequent assembly, which is ready for January 12.
December 10, 2025
Sensible County, Virginia’s Clerk of Circuit Court docket informed WCYB-5 Information {that a} Circuit Court docket Choose formally sealed all paperwork associated to the investigation.
