Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of child 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you suspect a child is being abused, find out how to report it in your state here. To connect with a counselor, you can call the National Child 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 Hotline at 1-800-422-4253.
(NewsNation) — Frustrations are mounting as it approaches eight months since a Virginia high school football coach, facing 10 charges related to alleged child 𝒔𝒆𝒙 offenses, suddenly vanished.
Union High School head football coach Travis Turner, 46, was last seen in the woods near his home on Nov. 20, 2025. Police went to his home that day to interview him about the arrest warrants issued against him, but he was already gone.
As Turner remains missing, a lack of progress in the case has prompted parents in the community, including Stephen Murray, to speak out against what he described to the U.S. Sun as the mishandling of the situation by school and county officials.
“There’s been no signs of him alive, there’s been no signs of him dead … and as far as accountability goes, with the investigation, there really has been none,” Murray said.
‘My hope is for some type of accountability’
Turner faces five charges of soliciting a child using a computer and five charges of possession of child sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 material, according to Virginia State Police. The charges are linked to sexually explicit texts he is accused of sending to a 15-year-old student at the school over a three-month period, The Sun reported.
Murray noted that although the school has implemented policy changes to protect students since Turner’s alleged conduct was uncovered, he’d like to see school officials held accountable.
“There are certain administrators that are part of it, and eventually, something will come out about everything,” Murray said. “My hope is for some type of accountability or reprimand.”
Murray pushing for removal of Union High School principal
The alleged victim’s family told the Sun they are particularly upset with Union High School principal Jerred Chandler. They said Chandler never contacted them after their daughter was interviewed about Turner’s texts, and the school never conducted an official investigation.
Murray told the outlet that he is pushing for Chandler’s removal along with Wise County Superintendent Mike Goforth.
“I think the concern that a lot of us have, including myself and definitely the family of the victim, is the fact that the current administration is not being held accountable,” Murray said.
NewsNation’s Anna Kutz contributed to this report.
