Federal officials in Idaho have wrapped up their search in the Sawtooth National Forest, concluding that it was all based on a case of mistaken identity.
The situation escalated over the weekend when the former U.S. service Greater Idaho Flow Task Force reported that a family spotted a man who resembled Travis Decker, a suspect linked to the tragic deaths of his three daughters in Washington state.
Decker had been on the radar since June 2, when a sheriff’s aide in Washington discovered his truck along with the bodies of his daughters. This discovery occurred just three days after the girls failed to return to their mother’s home, which is approximately 100 miles east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit.
The family saw a man near a campsite in Bear Creek who matched Decker’s height, hair, beard, and had tattoos similar to those on Decker’s arms and calves. Tips poured in, prompting collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement in the subsequent search efforts.
According to Michael Lee, the assistant director of the U.S. Marshals, they located the man on Wednesday afternoon and quickly determined he wasn’t Decker.
In a video recorded on the day he picked up his daughters, Decker can be seen, providing further insight into the case.
Authorities had previously believed they identified Decker near a secluded alpine lake in the Cascade Range. They had received reports about a solitary hiker who appeared unprepared for the harsh conditions, but he remains unlocated.
The U.S. Marshals Service is currently offering rewards of up to $20,000 for any information that could lead to Decker’s arrest.
