Virginia State Police have been actively searching for Travis Turner, a missing football coach from Union High School, as inquiries into his disappearance continue. The situation remains uncertain, but the Union Bears football team is focused on their season amid the ongoing concerns.
Turner went missing when authorities were investigating his home, although police have refrained from disclosing the specifics of the investigation, stressing that they were not there to execute an arrest. In a related development, Wise County schools confirmed the suspension of an employee with pay but did not reveal whether this individual is Turner. Both the police and school officials have declined to make public statements on camera regarding the case.
As the search entered its fourth day, the activity at the staging area for the police search had noticeably diminished. State police have deployed search and rescue teams, drones, and K-9 units in their efforts to locate Turner, while a helicopter was observed surveying the area on Saturday.
During this time, Turner’s disappearance was a significant topic at Saturday’s football game. Community members and students participated in a prayer circle prior to the game kickoff, reflecting on the impact of the situation. Pastor Bryan Gunter from the First Baptist Church of Big Stone Gap emphasized the strength of community bonds, stating, “No matter what’s going on, we can count on our neighbors…and we can count on our community to be bigger than the situation we’re facing.”
The Union Bears demonstrated resilience by achieving a victory in their game, extending their winning streak to 12 games and advancing to the region championship. Senior running back Keith Chandler noted the importance of unity during challenging times, stating, “We talked in the huddle and we said, listen boys, we’re going to have to handle adversity here. We stick together as brothers and we should come out with the victory.”
Travis Turner has officially been placed on the Virginia State Police missing persons list, with authorities reporting that he was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. The ongoing search is a testament to the community’s hope and determination to locate him safely.