Missing high school football coach Travis Turner was carrying a firearm when he disappeared into wooded terrain near his Virginia home, just hours before police arrived to question him over child pornography allegations, according to a statement from the family's attorney.
Turner, 46, has been the subject of a major manhunt since 20 November, when he left his residence in Appalachia and entered a heavily wooded mountainous area. At the time, no arrest warrants had been issued. He is now wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of soliciting a minor via computer.
Attorney Adrian Collins, representing the Turner family, said in a statement that Turner's wife Leslie reported him missing that evening but was told a missing-person report could not be filed for 24 hours. She filed the report the following day with Virginia State Police. Family and friends have conducted searches, limited by weather and official operations.
Leslie Turner has denied the charges, telling the Daily Mail: 'None of that is true. He's a good dad and a good husband and we want him home.' Police are using search and rescue teams, drones and K9 units to locate Turner, who was last seen wearing a grey sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and glasses.
Turner led Union High School's football team to an undefeated season before his disappearance. In a final interview, he praised his players for overcoming adversity. Authorities continue to search for the father-of-three, now considered a fugitive.
