Travis Decker Declared Dead After Prolonged Manhunt
Travis Decker has been officially declared deceased following a nearly three-month search for an Army veteran suspected of murdering his three young daughters. However, authorities have yet to confirm whether the human remains recently discovered in Washington belong to him.
“The former U.S. service has stated that defendant Travis Caleb Decker has passed away,” U.S. attorney Peter Serrano and U.S. attorney Caitlyn Boundsgard informed the court on Tuesday. They asked to dismiss the case in the Eastern District of Washington, as reported by the Seattle Times.
Despite these statements by federal officials, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison is urging caution as the state crime lab awaits DNA testing results related to Decker’s remains.
Last week, law enforcement agencies announced the discovery of two feet, femoral bones, and vertebrae near clothing belonging to Decker. The remains were located in a wooded area close to a drainage channel of the Sickle River on September 18.
Investigators noted that the area contained items like Army Ranger shorts, a bracelet, and cigarette wrappers associated with Decker.
The remains were found less than a mile from the crime scene, situated about 1,200 feet above sea level, which necessitated the use of a helicopter for retrieval.
Sheriff Morrison has requested two separate DNA analyses: one for the body parts and another for the clothing. “We are hopeful that these results will confirm we’ve identified Mr. Decker,” he remarked after the discovery. “I think we’re getting closer.”
The site of the remains is not far from where Decker’s daughters were found deceased on June 2, near his truck at the Rock Island campground.
Although the body was relatively nearby, the high elevation made it challenging to access. The Seattle Times reported on difficulties faced by the crews involved in the recovery efforts.
The three Decker girls—Paichin, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were discovered with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties around their wrists just three days after being taken by their father for a supposed custody visit.
According to the lawyers representing the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, many military veterans have been struggling with deteriorating mental health in recent years, which may have contributed to the difficult custody arrangements prior to the tragic events.
