Union High School Football Coach Two Months Later Travis Turner After his disappearance, two experts explain why there is reason to believe he is still alive.
former fbi agent Jennifer Dobler Said it all had to do with the U.S. Marshals Service, who joined the manhunt for Turner just days after Turner went missing on November 20, 2025, and it was not called off.
“The U.S. Marshals are not looking for dead people,” Dobler told American Sun A report published on Saturday, January 17 stated. “As a result, U.S. Marshals have not officially evacuated, which means they cannot rule out the possibility that he sheltered in place or somehow escaped to another location.”
Dobler, who is not directly involved in the Turner case, said law enforcement “probably has very close contact with Turner’s immediate family” for two reasons.
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“Continue to communicate with them and ask them where Turner might be, but it’s also to see if Turner reaches out,” Dobler explained. “It seems to me that if Turner had been alive, and if Turner had been able to get to another location, it’s likely that he would have attempted to make contact with his wife and children.”
She added, “So, I think law enforcement will stay in contact and continue to interview, continue their relationship and continue to look for other avenues.”
Turner and his wife, Leslie Caudill Turnera total of three children: son Bailey25 and Graydon20 years old, with daughter Brinley11.
The football coach was last seen walking into the woods behind his home with a rifle, but he left behind important items such as medication and glasses.
Shortly after her disappearance, Turner was charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
in a statement us weekly On December 3, 2025, the Turner family stated through their lawyers that they would continue to cooperate with the investigation into Travis’ disappearance.
“Their homes and properties have been searched multiple times with their consent,” the statement said.
Irving BrandtA retired U.S. deputy marshal also said there are signs Turner may still be alive.
“A person usually leaves something behind to let people know the end, to say they have left this world,” Brandt told the sun. “But that’s not the case.”
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Brandt added, “Once a warrant is issued and the U.S. Marshals Service becomes involved, the investigation becomes a fugitive investigation because he is wanted for a specific crime. And a fugitive investigation, which can be a nationwide or global manhunt, is unique and depends largely on the resources of the individual.”
The former bailiff explained that it was “not easy” for a fugitive like Turner to be missing for two months.
“You need some kind of support,” Brandt said. “You need some kind of financial support. You need the ability to travel.”
Virginia State Police did not have an update on Turner’s case when contacted and said the investigation into his disappearance remains ongoing.