High school football coach Travis Turner has officially been missing for half a year — and authorities are requesting the public’s help in bringing the lengthy manhunt to an end.
“The search remains ongoing,” Virginia State Police said in a statement on Wednesday, May 20, which marked the six-month anniversary of Turner’s disappearance. “The public can help by providing any and all tips to VSP at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. They may also report information to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332). Tips can be made anonymously.”
The U.S. Marshals were brought in to assist just days after Turner, who is considered a fugitive, went missing in November 2025. A $5,000 reward is still being offered for information on the coach’s whereabouts.
Turner was last seen walking into the woods behind his home while carrying a rifle. The football coach fled as authorities were on their way to interview him surrounding an open investigation at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where Turner also taught physical education.
Shortly after he went missing, Turner 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.
In March, Virginia State Police said “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.”
At the time, authorities said they had responded to 178 national and international leads, spanning seven states, with 17 of those tips being anonymous.
“All tips so far have been unfounded,” police said.
In addition to the U.S. Marshals, the VSP has utilized 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, like the one Turner walked off into.
The Turner family issued a statement to Us Weekly in December 2025, outlining the dire nature of the coach’s disappearance.
“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.”
Us Weekly has reached out to the Turner family’s attorney for comment about the ongoing search.
