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In an unexpected turn of events, Travis Turner, the head coach of Union High School’s football team in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, has vanished during a season that was meant to celebrate his team’s undefeated streak.
The Virginia State Police have officially listed Turner as a missing individual as of Sunday, following his last sighting on Thursday, according to recent reports.
Authorities visited Turner’s home on Thursday evening to look into a complaint. However, it was noted that they were not there to take him into custody. Upon their arrival, Turner was nowhere to be found.
He was last observed wearing a gray sweatshirt paired with sweatpants, as stated by the state police.
Despite the unsettling situation, Union High’s football team continues to forge ahead, even as their coach’s whereabouts remain unknown.
The Bears advanced to a regional semifinal — after an 11-0 regular season — under the leadership of assistant coach turned interim head coach Jay Edwards, one day after Turner went missing.
Union emerged with a 12-0 win against Graham High School in Virginia despite the news.
They will face Ridgeview High School in a regional title match-up next.
Search efforts in Wise County have ramped up, involving drones, K-9 units, and multiple law enforcement agencies, per News Channel 11.
“We have had the drones up in the air looking, searching,” Jason Day of the State Police said on WJHL. “We tried to, get the state police aviation, but they were unable to fly yesterday because of the weather. We’ve had, K-9 units, bloodhounds from local departments, sheriff’s office here, and wise state police dogs into the woods, searching, you know, the local area of last known, place where, Mr. Turner may have been or had seen.”