Nearly four months after he vanished without a trace into the woods behind his home, authorities are no closer to locating missing high school football coach Travis Turner.
Virginia State Police said in a statement released on Monday, March 9, that “there have been no credible sightings of Turner.”
“This case is worked on every day. It’s two-fold: we have the criminal investigation and the search,” said Captain J. Daniels, VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office. “Every single lead has been vetted and followed up on, and all have been unfounded. We need the public to continue providing information. Someone knows something that will lead to his whereabouts.”
Authorities have responded to 178 national and international leads, spanning seven states. According to the statement, 17 of those leads have been anonymous.
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“All tips so far have been unfounded,” VSP said.
Virginia State Police have been assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and the Black Diamond Search and Rescue team, a nonprofit organization that provides specially trained professionals to locate and assist lost or missing individuals in wilderness and rural environments.
Turner, 46, was last seen walking into the densely wooded area behind his home while carrying a rifle on November 20, 2025.
Shortly after he disappeared, he was charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. Additional charges against Turner are pending and he is considered a fugitive.
“There are 27 combined personnel solely dedicated to the Turner case with 50-plus other state, local, and federal personnel assisting, including VSP Aviation and Special Operation teams,” the statement said.
Turner’s family revealed additional details about his disappearance in a statement to Us Weekly in December 2025.
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“Travis’ car and keys were left at home,” the statement said. “Travis wore contact lenses by day and glasses in the evenings. Travis’ contact lens supplies and glasses were left at home. Travis’ wallet, license, cash, and all its contents were left in the home.”
The statement continued, “Travis is prescribed certain daily medications which he needs, those were left in the home. It is not like Travis to disappear or stay away from home.”
The U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward of $5,000 for information about Turner’s whereabouts in December 2025, which remains on the table.
Virginia State Police are asking anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Turner to contact Virginia State Police Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email [email protected]. Information can also be reported to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332). Tips can be made anonymously.
