A Virginia high‑school football coach, Travis Turner, has been completely removed from the school’s website after it was revealed that he disappeared while police were investigating him on several serious charges, including child pornography and soliciting a minor.
Turner, who was 46 when the news broke, had been a celebrated figure at Union High School, where he helped guide the Union Bears to an undefeated season and served as a physical‑education teacher for 11 years.
The school’s site, which previously listed him as a coach, now entirely omits his name. Only his son, Bailey Turner, who also works at the school, is mentioned, and there is no head‑coach listed for the varsity team.
On Thursday, Turner vanished from his Appalachian residence just as investigators were arriving. He was placed on paid leave the following day.
This week the authorities issued ten warrants—five for possession of child pornography and five for using a computer to solicit a minor—while a broad search in the area continued with drones and K‑9 units. The school confirmed it knew of the investigation, saying Turner “remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students.”
Turner’s wife, Leslie Turner, remains supportive of her missing husband. “None of that is true. He’s a good dad and a good husband,” she told MailOnLine.
The Coach’s Family Roots
Turner comes from a football lineage; his father, Tom Turner, also teamed up with Union High’s program and earned All‑American honors from his college career, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
This isn’t the first time a Union High employee has faced sexual‑crime allegations. In 2023, teacher and coach Timothy Lee Meador pleaded guilty to child solicitation and still sits on the local sex‑offender registry.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
