Search Intensifies for Fugitive in Murders of Three Young Daughters

Investigators believe they are getting closer to finding Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted in connection with the murder of his three daughters. Authorities discovered an item they suspect belongs to him near a popular hiking spot in Washington.

The search for the 32-year-old intensified after he failed to return his daughters, Peytin, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5, to their mother following a scheduled custody visit on May 30. Tragically, the girls’ bodies were found three days later at a campsite in Wenatchee.

“We found something of interest that could be from Mr. Decker,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison during a Wednesday press conference. “We’ve followed up with his friends and family, and we think we’re on his trail.”

This briefing comes on the heels of a report about a suspected murderer’s sighting in the same vicinity, a person living outdoors who showed signs of being a skilled survivalist.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office deployed ground teams and K-9 units to search hiking areas near the alpine lakes in the Cascade range. A K-9 unit was directed to the Ingal Scree Trailhead as aerial support arrived.

“I think it could be him,” Morrison stated, but cautiously added, “We’re not going to say 100% until we have him in custody.”

As day 12 of the manhunt unfolded, the sheriff mentioned a shift in their strategy. “You’ll notice some changes in our approach,” he noted. “While we may not have the same number of visible resources, we’re actively tracking his movements every day. He seems to be aiming for perfection.”

Despite the ongoing efforts, Sheriff Morrison emphasized that the search will persist until they find the suspect.

Decker faces three counts of aggravated murder related to the girls’ deaths, which were discovered with their heads wrapped and hands bound. He was reported missing on May 30 when he did not bring his daughters back home.

Described as an armed and dangerous individual, Decker has been skilled at surviving off the grid, having served as a U.S. infantryman from March 2013 to July 2021, including a four-month deployment in Afghanistan in 2014. Authorities believe he may have lived in backcountry areas for extended periods.

Even with his survival skills, Morrison expressed hope that Decker’s time may be running out. “He’s surrounded,” he said. “Washington state knows who he is. Eventually, he’s going to slip up.”

Last September, Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney, petitioned the court for a revision of his parenting plan, citing a decline in his mental health and stability. She remarked that he had become homeless and had lived in his truck at one point, prompting her to request limited visitation for him with their daughters.

Morrison asserted that Decker himself will ultimately dictate how the manhunt concludes. “He’s the one who will decide how this ends,” he commented. “We have urged him repeatedly to surrender peacefully, and that’s what we hope for.”

Until then, Morrison assured that law enforcement will not stop their efforts to seek justice for the three young girls. “Their memories drive us, pushing us to advocate for justice and be their voice,” he concluded. “We haven’t given up.”