Wife of Missing Football Coach Wanted on Child Pornography Charges Didn’t Help Him Escape: Lawyer

Family of Missing Football Coach travis Turner Says Wife Wasn’t Helping Him escape

An attorney for the family of missing high school football coach Travis Turner said this week that the Virginia fugitive’s wife was not helping him escape when he went missing late last month.

Turner, 46, was last seen on Nov. 20, less than a week before Virginia State Police announced 10 warrants for his arrest on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.

“His wife was not helping him escape, she was asking for help to find him,” the family’s attorney Adrian Collins said in a statement to PEOPLE.

“The family of Travis Turner continues to cooperate with law enforcement efforts to locate Travis,” Collins’ statement continued. “Their homes and properties have been searched multiple times, with their consent.”

The family’s attorney added: “While the family’s last contact with Travis causes them to have great concern for his well being, they cling to the hope he will be found and afforded the chance to defend himself in a court of law.”

A spokesperson for the Virginia State Police Department would not comment when PEOPLE asked them about investigators’ interest in Turner’s wife.

“There are no updates to share at this time,” the state police spokesperson said. “The search efforts are ongoing with the assistance of the Marshals Service and FBI. we are still asking for the public’s assistance in providing any information that may lead to Turner’s whereabouts.”

Virginia High School Football Coach Travis Turner Missing, Wanted on Child Pornography Charges

Travis Turner, the head football coach at Union High School in Virginia, is missing and wanted by Virginia State Police on charges related to child pornography. He has been a fugitive since failing to return home, prompting concern from family and authorities.

According to reports, turner left behind essential personal items at his home, including his car, keys, wallet containing his licence and cash, daily medications, contact lenses and glasses. This behavior is described as highly unusual for Turner, as stated by family attorney, Collins, who noted that criminal charges weren’t filed until days after his disappearance.

“It is indeed not like Travis to disappear or stay away from home,” Collins said.

The family has issued a plea through their attorney for Turner to return home and face the allegations in court. “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,” Collins stated.

Virginia State Police are actively searching for Turner, as reported by ABC News, WCYB, and WJHL.

As of December 4, 2023, the specific charges against Turner have not been publicly detailed beyond relating to child pornography. Further updates will be provided as they become available from official sources.