It has come to light that Travis Turner, a former high school football coach now on the run, was reportedly carrying a firearm when he slipped into the forest. This occurred just hours before law enforcement planned to question him regarding charges related to child sexual offenses.

Turner, aged 46, has been at the center of an extensive search operation in Virginia since he mysteriously left his Appalachia home last Thursday, November 20.

Authorities have since issued arrest warrants for Turner, who faces five charges of possessing child pornography and five charges related to soliciting a minor. However, the specifics of his actions leading up to his disappearance were previously unclear.

Recently, new insights have emerged from a statement made by the family’s lawyer, Adrian Collins, providing unsettling clarity on the matter.

The statement reveals: “On behalf of Travis Turner’s family, I want to convey their deep appreciation to everyone who has shown concern during this challenging period.”

‘The last known contact the family had with Travis occurred on or about Thursday, November 20, after he left his residence to walk in the woods with a firearm. He is believed to have entered a heavily wooded and mountainous area. At which point, no warrants had been issued for his arrest.

Missing high school football coach Travis Turner is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor 

Turner’s wife Leslie has called for prayers to find her husband and praised him for being a ‘good dad and a good husband’

‘When Travis did not return home that evening, his wife promptly notified local law enforcement. She was advised that a missing-person report could not be taken until at least 24 hours had passed. 

‘The following day, she filed a missing-person report with the Virginia State Police. The family has cooperated fully with law-enforcement in their ongoing efforts to locate Travis.

‘Family members and friends have also conducted search efforts in the surrounding woods. These efforts have been limited by weather conditions and with respect for the official operations underway.’ 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the family’s attorney, Adrian Collins, for comment.

The latest developments come just days after Turner’s wife exclusively told the Daily Mail that the child porn charges against her husband are untrue.

At the couple’s home in Appalachia, Turner’s paralegal wife Leslie, also 46, said she had no knowledge of her husband’s alleged inappropriate contact with minors.

‘I don’t know anything. I don’t know anything. I’m sorry,’ she said.

When asked about the child porn charges for which police are seeking Turner, Leslie rose to her husband’s defense: ‘None of that is true. He’s a good dad and a good husband and we want him home. That’s it.’

She added that it remains a difficult time for the family as police continue to search for Turner, who vanished late last week.

Turner’s sudden disappearance came after he led Union to an undefeated season and the team ranked among the top in the state within their division

Travis Turner is pictured alongside wife Leslie, who is a fixture at Union High football games

‘We are all just hanging in there until we get news,’ she said.

Cops continue to hunt for the missing 46-year-old father-of-three, who is ‘now considered a fugitive’ after vanishing from his home in Appalachia, close to the Kentucky border, last Thursday, November 20.

Turner disappeared as special agents from the Virginia Bureau of Criminal Investigation traveled to his home as part of their investigation. They were not on their way to arrest him, the force said.

Turner was last seen entering the woods near his home, prompting officers to focus on the area surrounding his home. He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and glasses. 

Police have been utilizing search and rescue teams, drones and even K9 units to track down Turner after they were unable to locate him last Thursday night. 

Meanwhile, in a haunting video obtained by the Daily Mail, Turner talked about challenges and overcoming adversity in his final interview before fleeing his home.

In a post-game interview praising his side, the Union Bears, after their 40-7 opening round playoff win over the Lee High School Generals, Turner told Mountain Mojo Sports Talk: ‘I thought our kids played hard and I thought we overcame some adversity.’ 

He suggested that despite Lee initially controlling the game the Bears defensive players did a good job of ‘limiting their offense a little bit’.

A younger Turner is seen alongside his wife, Leslie. The couple lives in Western Virginia 

Turner has officially been declared a missing person

But Turner gave no clue it would be his final post-match interview when asked about the challenges his players would face in their next game against the Graham High School ‘G-men’.

‘They’re super athletic, they’re right down there defending state champions…one of the top teams in two-way,’ he went on.

‘We’ve played those guys 15-16 times, I guess it seems like they know us and we know them. 

‘So it’s gonna be a tough one. It’s gonna be a challenge, and yeah we get this far in the playoffs, they’re all gonna be tough.’ 

Turner vanished on November 20, leaving assistant coach Jay Edward to take over coaching duties for last Saturday’s November 22 Graham game and as the season comes to an end.

Despite Turner’s disappearance, the Union Bears won the game against Graham 12-0. The victory pushed their record to 11-0 for the season.

The Bears will host Ridgeview for the Region 2D title game on Saturday. 

Since taking over at Union in 2011, Turner has twice been honored as Southwest Virginia Coach of the Year as his Bears established themselves as a regional power.