High School Football Coach Near Kentucky–Virginia Border Reported Missing as Police Search Intensifies
APPALACHIA, VA — A high school football coach from southwestern Virginia is missing, prompting a multi-agency search effort that now includes the Kentucky State Police due to the school district’s proximity to the state line.
Travis Turner, 46, the head football coach at Union High School in Wise County, was last seen on Thursday, Nov. 20, according to a Virginia State Police missing-person bulletin. Officials say he was last observed wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and glasses.
Turner’s disappearance comes as Union High is in the midst of an undefeated football season, making the news especially shocking for the local community.
Employee Placed on Leave After Disappearance
Several local outlets, including WCYB in Bristol, Virginia, reported Friday that an employee of the Wise County School District has been placed on administrative leave.
Neither the district nor the media outlets have confirmed whether the action is directly related to Turner’s disappearance, though the reports appeared in the same news coverage.
Union High School is located roughly 30 minutes south of Jenkins, Kentucky, and previously played Letcher Central High School regularly until 2020.
Kentucky State Police Assist Due to Border Proximity
Because Wise County borders Eastern Kentucky, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) have joined the search efforts.
Matt Gayheart, spokesperson for KSP Post 13 in Hazard, told the Herald-Leader that troopers are actively working the Kentucky side of the border.
“We are going to be doing our part on our side as well,” Gayheart said. He also confirmed that, so far, there have been no confirmed sightings of Turner in Kentucky.
Virginia State Police Dispatched to Turner’s Home
According to WCYB’s reporting, Virginia State Police were sent to Turner’s home in the town of Appalachia, Virginia, on Thursday evening.
Troopers were not intending to arrest Turner, but were told en route that he was no longer at the residence.
At this time, police have not released information regarding any potential criminal investigation connected to Turner’s disappearance.
Herald-Leader reporter Jared Peck also contributed to the initial coverage.
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