Authorities and community members in Wise County, Va., are searching for a high school football coach who vanished in the middle of his team’s undefeated season.
Travis Turner, 46, has been missing since Thursday, Nov. 20, according to a bulletin posted on the Virginia State Police website.
State police said agents were sent to Turner’s home on Thursday as part of an investigation, but were informed while en route that he was no longer at the residence, according to WJHL and ABC affiliate KATV.
On Saturday, Nov. 22, officials announced that an “active search” for the Union High School football coach was underway.
Jason Day with the Virginia State Police said the search has been concentrated in the area surrounding Turner’s home, WJHL reported. Drones and K-9 units have been deployed to assist.
Turner has served as a coach at Union High School since 2011, according to KATV.
Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth told WJHL that Jay Edwards would take over “all coaching responsibilities” for the team during Saturday’s game.
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The team, which finished the regular season with an 11-0 record, went on to defeat Graham High School on Saturday, securing a spot in the state semi-finals, according to The New York Post.
On Friday, Nov. 21, Wise County Schools officials announced that a staff member within the district had been placed on leave, according to KATV and NBC affiliate WCYB. The person has not been publicly identified.
“At this time, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to us,” district officials said in a statement. “This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. The division cannot comment further.”
Virginia State Police and school district officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Authorities describe Turner as over 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 260 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses.
Anyone with information about Turner’s whereabouts is asked to contact Virginia State Police at 540-444-7788.
