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Use of K-9 unit could be key to finally finding missing Union High School football coach Travis Turnerdisappeared two weeks ago.
“As a body decomposes, the odor becomes more intense, making it easier for cadaver dogs to find any remains,” said retired law enforcement veteran and criminology professor Dr. Ken Long Tell daily mail Saturday, December 6th.
While it has not been confirmed whether Turner, 46, is dead, he was last seen on December 20 when he walked into the dense woods behind his Virginia home while carrying a gun.
Long, who is not directly related to the Turner case, advocates the use of K-9 units in search efforts, but explained that it’s not always an exact science.
The disappearance of high school football coach Travis Turner has wreaked havoc on his rural Virginia community. The Wise County School Board held its first meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, since Turner, 46, went missing on Nov. 20. WCYB-News 5 called the meeting “tense” and public comments during the meeting have been removed (…)
“You could go to his house and get his clothes, let the hounds smell it, and then send them out to see if they can find him,” Long said of the dogs. “But you need a starting point, right? You need to know where to start. One problem with cadaver dogs is that because animals die naturally in the woods, they may encounter the carcasses of wild animals there, which can annoy them.”
“Also, dogs can only work for so long because they become exhausted after a few hours and need rest, water and food,” Long added.
The U.S. Marshals Service joined the search for Turner on Dec. 1, using K-9 units, drones and helicopters.
“It was a pretty remote, heavily wooded area,” Long said of the rural search. Advertisement
“Then the animals tear the carcass apart and take the pieces away, and that becomes a problem,” Long added.
The detective explained that authorities began “focusing on the clothing and remnants of what he was wearing and what you might have been wearing.”
“It’s almost like finding a needle in a haystack, especially in the Appalachian region,” Long said.
The Union High School football team ended its undefeated season with a tense game in the state semifinals, continuing to finish the season without head coach Travis Turner, who is missing due to child pornography charges. Union competed in the Virginia High School League Division 2 semifinals on Saturday, December 6 against Glenvale High School(…)
When reached for comment on Tuesday, Dec. 9, a Virginia State Police spokesperson said US Weekly“There are currently no updates to share.”
Days after Turner disappeared Charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
exist Statement issued to us On Wednesday, December 3, the Turner family said through their attorney that they would continue to “cooperate with law enforcement in their search for Travis.”
“Their homes and properties have been searched multiple times with their consent,” the statement said.
