Parent Claims Missing Virginia Coach Is 'Alive', Faces Backlash

Stephen Murray says the community knows Travis Turner did not take his own life after disappearing and facing charges.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high school parent in Virginia, Stephen Murray, has been vocal about his belief that missing football coach Travis Turner is still alive, despite Turner being charged with child pornography and going missing in November 2025. Murray claims the community does not believe Turner committed suicide, and that he likely fled. However, Murray says he has faced backlash and warnings about his safety for speaking out.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Travis Turner has deeply impacted the Virginia community, with parents and officials divided on what happened to the former high school coach. Murray's claims that Turner is alive have stirred up controversy, highlighting the secrecy and lack of transparency that some say exists around the case.

The details

Turner was last seen by his family on November 20, 2025, walking into the woods behind his home. Shortly after, he was charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. Murray, whose stepdaughter attends the school where Turner worked, has been vocal about holding authorities accountable and pressing them to locate Turner. Murray claims a school employee was fired for speaking out about 'rampant sexual harassment and abuse' at the school, and that the community does not believe Turner took his own life due to his ego. However, Virginia State Police say there have been 'no credible sightings' of Turner, and he remains a fugitive.

  • Turner was last seen by his family on November 20, 2025.
  • Shortly after, he was charged with child pornography and soliciting a minor.

The players

Stephen Murray

A high school parent in Virginia whose stepdaughter attends the school where Travis Turner worked. Murray has been vocal about his belief that Turner is still alive.

Travis Turner

A former high school football coach in Virginia who has been missing since November 2025 and was charged with child pornography and soliciting a minor.

Union High School

The high school where Travis Turner was on staff, which has faced previous scandals related to sexual harassment and abuse.

Virginia State Police

The law enforcement agency investigating the disappearance of Travis Turner, who say there have been 'no credible sightings' of him.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you haven't lived in Appalachia or southwest Virginia or this part of the country … the culture here is secretive.”

— Stephen Murray, High school parent

“Everyone knows that he's alive. No one believes that he took his own life, and the reason is because he's too much of a coward and he thinks too highly of himself to take his own life.”

— Stephen Murray, High school parent

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Stephen Murray to continue speaking publicly about the investigation into Travis Turner's disappearance.

The takeaway

This case highlights the deep divisions and lack of trust within the Virginia community regarding the disappearance of Travis Turner, with parents like Stephen Murray facing backlash for publicly challenging the official narrative and pushing for more transparency from authorities.