Authorities searching for former soldier Travis Decker, who is wanted for the murder of his three daughters, have announced a significant development. Law enforcement officials have discovered human remains believed to be those of Decker in the mountains of Washington State. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the remains were found at a crime scene being processed by response teams.
Although a positive identification is pending, initial findings suggest the recovered remains likely belong to Travis Decker. The 32-year-old had been on the run since June 2 when his truck and the bodies of his daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were found at a campground near Leavenworth. Three days before the tragic discovery, Decker failed to return his daughters to their mother’s residence in Wenatchee after a scheduled visit.
Decker, a former Army infantryman who served from March 2013 to July 2021, had a background in navigation and survival skills. He had previously been deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 and had experience living off the grid for two months. Over 100 officials conducted an extensive search over hundreds of square miles to locate him.
US Marshals had offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker’s apprehension. Concerns about his mental health and unstable behavior were raised by his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, in a petition last September. An autopsy revealed that the girls died from suffocation, having been bound with zip ties and plastic bags placed over their heads.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the case, with a focus on processing the crime scene and conducting DNA analysis. The Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with the Decker family, offering support and updates while urging privacy and respect for the family during this difficult time.
Further updates on the investigation will be provided as forensic examinations progress. Decker, described as a white male between 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins, was last seen wearing a cream-colored t-shirt, black shorts, a black mesh cap, and black gauged earrings. He faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.