A former FBI agent specialising in crimes against children has suggested that a missing high school football coach, wanted on multiple child sex charges, could still be alive nearly two months after he vanished into the Appalachian woods.
The Disappearance of a Local Hero
Travis Turner, a 46-year-old married father of three, fled his home in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, just days before police arrived to question him over ten alleged child sex offences. He was last seen heading into the wilderness carrying a firearm. His disappearance sent shockwaves through the local community, where he was regarded as something of a hero for coaching Union High School's football team to an unbeaten season.
Turner's wife, Leslie, reported him missing after he failed to return home. Notably, his family attorney, Adrian Collins, stated that Turner left behind his car, keys, wallet, cash, prescription medication, and glasses, behaviour described as entirely out of character. Criminal charges were not formally obtained until days after he vanished.
US Marshals' Involvement Points to Belief He Survived
Virginia State Police subsequently requested assistance from the US Marshals Service to track down the fugitive coach. According to former FBI agent Jennifer Coffler, who worked on the Crimes Against Children team in Newark, this is a significant indicator.
"The US Marshals don't look for a deceased person," Coffler told The Sun. "So, US Marshals have not officially stepped out, which means they cannot rule out that he sheltered in place or somehow made it to another location." She added that the fact authorities have not called off the Marshals or drastically expanded the search area supports the theory he may have found shelter or escaped the initial search perimeter.
Police Maintain Contact with Family for Potential Break
Coffler believes investigators are likely maintaining close contact with Turner's immediate family for two key reasons: to gather further intelligence on his possible whereabouts and to monitor for any attempt at communication. "In my opinion, if Turner is still alive, and if Turner was able to make it to another location, there will very likely come a time where he will try to reach out to his wife and children," she stated.
Five days after his disappearance, Turner's wife, Leslie, publicly denied the allegations against him, telling the Daily Mail, "None of that is true. He's a good dad and a good husband and we want him home." Her lawyer emphasised that she was not assisting his escape but was genuinely seeking help to find him.
The case remains active, with the involvement of the US Marshals fuelling professional speculation that Travis Turner may still be at large, nearly two months after he disappeared from his Virginia home.
