The disappearance of Union High School head football coach Travis Lee Turner has gripped Wise County, Virginia, as state police, school officials, and residents continue searching for answers.
Turner, 46, was officially listed as a missing person by the Virginia State Police (VSP) after he vanished late last week in the midst of an undefeated season.
Newsweek contacted the VSP for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The disappearance of Union High School football coach Travis L. Turner has sent ripples through Wise County, Virginia, after state police confirmed he vanished last week while officers were en route to his home as part of an unrelated investigation.
With Turner still missing, the school district acknowledging that an employee has been placed on administrative leave, and authorities deploying drones, K-9 teams, and multiple agencies in the search, the case has drawn intense public attention.
Turner’s absence comes during an undefeated season for the Union Bears, further elevating concern in a community where high-school athletics play a central role, and leaving residents—and his family—seeking answers as the investigation continues.
What To Know
According to VSP statements, special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office were dispatched to Turner’s Appalachia residence on Thursday as part of the “early stages of an investigation.”
The agency emphasized that officers “were not going to the residence to arrest Turner,” but to follow up on a complaint.
While en route, agents were informed that Turner “was no longer there,” and he has not been seen since.
Turner’s last known appearance was on Thursday, when he was reportedly wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses.
His name was added to the state’s missing persons database as search efforts intensified over the weekend.
Jason Day, a representative of the VSP, said resources have been concentrated around the area near Turner’s home.
“We have had the drones up in the air looking, searching,” Day told News Channel 11. “We’ve had K-9 units, bloodhounds from local departments, sheriff’s office here, and Wise state police dogs into the woods, searching…the local area of last known place where Mr. Turner may have been or had seen.”
The VSP has confirmed that the investigation remains active, with search and rescue teams, drones, and K-9 teams engaged in the effort.
“At this time, Turner has not been located,” the agency said in a statement. “The investigation remains ongoing.”
School District Response and Administrative Leave
On the same day Turner went missing, Wise County Public Schools disclosed that an unnamed employee had been placed on administrative leave pending a review by an external agency.
The district did not identify the staff member, nor would it confirm whether the action was connected to Turner’s disappearance.
“A staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to the division,” the district stated. “This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing…the division cannot comment further.”
Superintendent Mike Goforth declined to disclose additional details when approached by local media.
“I can’t discuss any personnel matters,” he said, directing reporters back to the district’s prior statement.
Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, publicly acknowledged his disappearance in a Facebook post that was later deleted.
Impact on Union High School’s Season
Before his disappearance, Turner had led the Union High School Bears through an undefeated 11-0 regular season.
In his absence, assistant coach Jay Edwards has assumed full coaching responsibilities.
The team advanced to a regional semifinal just one day after Turner went missing, securing a 12-0 victory over Graham High School.
The school has not indicated when—or if—Turner might return.
The district has emphasized that its focus remains on students while law enforcement continues the investigation.
As of Monday, there have been no confirmed sightings, no named suspects, and no public clarification on the investigation that preceded Turner’s disappearance. Authorities continue urging anyone with information to contact the VSP.
Who Is Travis Lee Turner?
Travis L. Turner is the head football coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, known for leading one of the region’s most competitive high-school football programs.
A resident of Appalachia, Turner has served as a prominent figure in Wise County athletics, and at age 46 was widely regarded as a central figure in the community’s sports culture, recognized for his leadership on and off the field.
His tenure at Union High School placed him at the forefront of local athletics, particularly during the 2025 season in which the Bears advanced deep into postseason play under his direction.
Prior to the events surrounding his disappearance, Turner had not been publicly linked to any criminal investigation.
The Virginia State Police have confirmed only that he became the subject of an “active search” after agents were sent to his residence as part of a broader inquiry involving a Wise County man.
Timeline of Events: Travis L. Turner Disappearance
Thursday (November 20, 2025)
- Virginia State Police special agents are dispatched to Travis Turner’s Appalachia residence as part of “the early stages of an investigation” involving a Wise County man.
- While agents are in transit, they are informed that Turner is no longer at the residence.
- Turner is last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses.
Friday (November 21, 2025)
- Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, posts on Facebook that her husband is missing, writing: “As of right now…Travis is missing, & that’s all we know.”
- Wise County Public Schools announces that a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an external review.
- The district declines to identify the employee or comment further.
Saturday (November. 22, 2025)
- VSP confirms an “active search” is underway to locate Turner.
- Search efforts intensify around the area of his home, involving drones, K-9 units, bloodhounds, and multiple law enforcement agencies.
- VSP states agents were not going to the residence to arrest Turner.
- Superintendent Mike Goforth says assistant coach Jay Edwards will handle coaching responsibilities for Union High School’s game.
Sunday (November 23, 2025)
- Turner is officially listed in the Virginia State Police missing persons database.
- VSP confirms that search efforts are continuing and the investigation remains ongoing.
- Union High School plays and wins a regional semifinal game under interim coach Jay Edwards.
Monday (November 24, 2025)
- Police confirm Turner remains listed as a missing person.
- Authorities reaffirm that multiple agencies and search resources have been deployed, including drones and K-9 teams.
- Neither police nor the school district will provide additional details on the investigation or the administrative leave.
- Turner’s wife’s Facebook post is reported to have since been deleted.
What People Are Saying
Leslie Caudill Turner, Travis’ wife posted on Facebook: “As of right now…Travis is missing, & that’s all we know. We love him & need him here with us…Just keep praying that he comes home.”
What Happens Next
Authorities are expected to continue actively searching for Travis L. Turner while pursuing the separate investigation that led officers toward his home before he vanished, with the Virginia State Police expanding searches as new information emerges and maintaining silence on investigative details.
Wise County Public Schools will keep the unidentified employee on administrative leave pending the external review, and Union High School will proceed with its football season under interim coach Jay Edwards.
Public updates will come only when investigators can confirm new developments, and the case will remain open until Turner is found or authorities determine the next procedural step.
