Leslie Caudill Turner, the wife of missing high school football coach Travis Turner, addressed rumors that she aided in her husband’s disappearance.
“Criminal charges were not obtained against Travis until days after he failed to return home,” the family’s attorney said in a statement to Us Weekly on Wednesday, December 3. “He was not a fugitive nor wanted by law enforcement at the time he went missing. His wife was not helping him escape, she was asking for help to find him.”
Travis, 46, went missing on November 20, last seen by members of his family walking into the woods near their home while carrying a gun.
Days later, he was charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
Missing high school football coach Travis Turner may not have executed his disappearance alone, according to a former detective. Turner, 46, suddenly vanished from his rural Virginia home on November 20, as agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were on their way to his residence to question the coach. Days later, Turner was charged […]
“The family of Travis Turner continues to cooperate with law enforcement efforts to locate Travis,” the statement said. “Their homes and properties have been searched multiple times, with their consent.”
Leslie did not immediately contact authorities when her husband walked into the woods on November 20 because “this was something he had done multiple times throughout the years.”
“When he did not return to his home that evening, his wife, out of concern, asked for assistance from law enforcement.,” the statement explained. “As directed, she filed a missing person report the following day with the Virginia State Police.”
Travis was officially classified as an “endangered missing person” by the VSP on November 22.
Leslie’s fears about her husband’s disappearance were “heightened” when she realized Travis left home without a host of essential items.
“Travis’ car and keys were left at home,” the statement read. “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. 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.”
Leslie and Travis have been married since 2001 and share three children: sons Bailey, 25, and Grayden, 21, and daughter Brynlee, 11.
The United States Marshals Service joined the search for Travis on the ground in Virginia on Monday, December 1.
The Union High School football team is continuing their pursuit of the Virginia High School League Region 2D title after advancing to the semifinals on Saturday, November 29, just nine days after their head coach, Travis Turner, disappeared without a trace. The Bears defeated rival Ridgeview High School in the quarterfinal game 21-14, seemingly able […]
“The search remains active and ongoing with the assistance of the US Marshals Service and FBI,” a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police told Us on December 3. “We are still asking for the public’s assistance in providing any information that may lead to Turner’s whereabouts.”
The VSP said they are “following up on all tips received” and urged any individuals with information about Turner’s disappearance to call 911 or the Virginia State Police, or visit usmarshals.gov/tips.
The Marshals warned that Travis “may be armed” and urged members of the public to use caution.
Much of the search for Travis has focused on the wooded area of varying elevations near his home, with authorities employing the use of K-9 units, drones and a helicopter.