Union High School football coach Travis Turner has been missing for nearly three months — and parents in Virginia are not letting officials off the hook.
Turner disappeared into the woods behind his home on November 20, 2025, shortly before he was charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
For the third time since Turner went missing, a school board meeting was held in Wise Country, Virginia, on Tuesday, February 9.
“I just want to keep applying pressure,” Wise County parent Stephen Murray told News Channel 11 at the meeting.
Murray added, “I just want to make sure that no one thinks that we’re going to sweep this under the rug like it has been for so many years. I just want to keep reminding the citizens of this county that there’s been a lot of abuse and we just need to keep shining a spotlight on it until something changes.”
Union High School was rocked by a separate scandal in 2023, when former teacher Timothy Lee Meador was indicted on three felony charges and pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent liberties with a child. Meador spent 15 months in prison and was banned from school property.
“I think it’s vital now more than ever that they actually understand that a community is hurting and a community does want change,” Murray said. “So, I do hope they’re listening. I think this is just the beginning, and the school board should, you know, get used to seeing these faces and hopefully more and more people show up.”
Another community member referenced a “lack of transparency” from the school district in the wake of Turner’s disappearance.
The board did not engage with any of the comments made during Tuesday night’s meeting, instead insisting they would respond when the group convenes next.
Turner was last seen by members of his family walking into the wooded area behind his home while carrying a rifle.
In a statement released to Us Weekly by the Turners’ attorney on December 3, 2025, the coach’s family explained how their “last contact with Travis causes them to have great concern for his well being.”
“Travis’ car and keys were left at home,” the statement revealed. “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 family’s 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.”
Turner has been married to his wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, since 2001, and the couple share three children: sons Bailey, 25, who is also on the football staff at Union High, and Grayden, 21, and daughter Brynlee, 11.
“Leslie pleads for you to come home and face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law,” the family pleaded. “Don’t leave your family to fight this battle without you. They love and miss you. They want you to know they are your support.”
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