Authorities may have finally ended the months-long manhunt for Travis Decker, the Washington man accused of killing his three young daughters. Police say Decker’s remains were discovered Thursday during a dragnet in the woods south of Leavenworth, Washington.
While officials have yet to positively identify the body, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Decker. DNA testing is underway as deputies continue to process the scene.
Horrific Crime Details
Decker is accused of suffocating his daughters—5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 9-year-old Paityn—for reasons that remain unclear.
On June 2, law enforcement discovered the girls at a remote campsite in the Washington Cascades, each with a plastic bag over their head. Investigators also found:
- Additional plastic bags and zip ties nearby
- Decker’s dog
- His truck, containing a bloody fingerprint on the tailgate
Forensic analysis reportedly matched Decker’s DNA to genetic material found on the bags and cable ties.
Timeline of the Case
- May 30: The victims’ mother reported the girls missing after Decker failed to return them following a three-hour court-mandated visit under a custody arrangement.
- June 2: Police discovered the girls’ bodies at a remote campsite.
- June–September: A 3½-month manhunt for Decker ensued, involving local law enforcement and federal assistance.
- September 18: Suspected remains of Decker found in the woods south of Leavenworth.
Law Enforcement Statement
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office cautioned that identification is not yet confirmed, but DNA testing is expected to provide certainty in the coming days.
“We are processing the scene and conducting DNA tests. Preliminary indications suggest the remains are those of Travis Decker,” said Sheriff deputies in a statement.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The suspected discovery brings a measure of closure to a case that shocked Washington state. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the girls’ deaths and Decker’s movements during the manhunt.
Officials are urging the public to remain patient as DNA confirmation and further forensic work are completed.
The community, law enforcement, and families affected by this tragedy are grappling with the scale of the crime, while investigators continue piecing together the events leading to the girls’ deaths.
