Travis Turner, head football coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, has gone missing in the midst of what should have been a triumphant, undefeated season for his team.
Turner was officially reported missing on Sunday, according to Virginia State Police, after disappearing Thursday—leaving the community shocked and searching for answers.
Authorities say officers went to Turner’s residence Thursday evening to investigate a complaint—not to arrest him—but found the coach had vanished before they even arrived.
Travis Turner, head football coach at a Virginia high school, has disappeared amid what should have been a celebratory undefeated season. Virginia State Police
State police report that Turner’s last known sighting showed him in a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Despite their coach’s disappearance, the Union High football program has pressed forward, determined to keep the season alive.
Just a day after Turner vanished, the Bears, guided by assistant coach-turned-interim head coach Jay Edwards, pushed on to the regional semifinals after an undefeated 11-0 regular season.
Despite the unsettling news, Union battled on and secured a 12-0 win over Graham High School in Virginia.
Up next, Union will face Ridgeview High School in a high-stakes regional title clash.
Phil Robbins Field comes alive as the football game kicks off, the stands packed with cheering spectators. Union High School / Facebook
Union High School, where the undefeated season has unfolded, pictured here. Union High School / Facebook
In Wise County, search efforts have ramped up dramatically, involving drones, K-9 units, and numerous law enforcement agencies, News Channel 11 reports.
“We have had the drones up in the air looking, searching,” Jason Day of the State Police said on WJHL.
“We tried to, get the state police aviation, but they were unable to fly yesterday because of the weather. We’ve had, K-9 units, bloodhounds from local departments, sheriff’s office here, and wise state police dogs into the woods, searching, you know, the local area of last known, place where, Mr. Turner may have been or had seen.”
