Turner manhunt continues; family attorney appeals for his return

APPALACHIA — An attorney for the family of missing former Union High School coach Travis Turner has appealed for him to return as state and federal authorities continue hunting for him. Turner, 46, has been missing since Nov. 20, when Virginia State Police investigators were traveling to his Appalachian home to question him about allegations of child pornography and soliciting a minor via computer. State Police warrants against Turner followed on Nov 24: five counts each of child pornography and of solicitation of a minor via computer. "If Travis has the ability and is able to respond to his family's wishes; your wife and children are in distress," Wise attorney Adrian Collins said Wednesday in a statement on behalf of Turner's wife, Leslie, and family. "Leslie pleads for you to come home and face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law," said Collins. "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." Collins, recounting events of Nov. 20, said Turner was last seen by family as he walked into the woods around Appalachia while carrying a firearm. "This was something he had done multiple times throughout the years," Collins said of Turner's walk into the woods. He said Turner was not charged at the time of his disappearance. Leslie Turner called law enforcement that evening when Turner did not return home, Collins added, and was told that day to file a missing person report with the State Police on Nov. 21. Leslie Turner also was concerned on Nov. 20 because her husband left his car, keys, prescription medications, contact lenses, glasses and wallet with cash, license and contents. "His wife was not helping him escape, she was asking for help to find him," Collins said, adding that Turner's family has consented to "multiple" searches of their homes and properties. Virginia State Police spokesperson Matthew Demlein on Wednesday confirmed that the FBI is involved in the search for Turner, but he gave no specifics about the agency's assistance. Demlein declined to answer questions about whether investigators believed Turner is still in Virginia. The U.S. Marshals Service joined the hunt for Turner at the State Police's request on Nov. 26, according to the Western District of Virginia U.S. Marshals office. The Marshals Service has posted a reward up to $5,000 for Turner. "Wise County Public Schools does not comment on personnel matters or any aspect of an active law-enforcement investigation," Wise County Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth said Thursday when asked if division officials had received or investigated complaints about Turner before or after his disappearance. "We have no additional statements beyond what has already been released," said Goforth. "If Travis has the ability and is able to respond to his family's wishes; your wife and children are in distress," said Collins. "Leslie pleads for you to come home and face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law. 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." Turner, according to a Marshals Service wanted poster, is described as 6 feet, 3 inches tall, 235 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The poster warns that Turner may be armed. Anyone with information on Turner's whereabouts is asked to call:- Virginia State Police Division 4 at (276) 484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Tips can be made anonymously.- U.S. Marshals Service tipline at (877) 926-8332 or email usmarshals.gov/tips