Washington Dad Accused of Killing His 3 Daughters – Where Is Travis Decker Hiding

Investigators who have been hunting for an ex-soldier wanted in connection with the deaths of his three young kids in Washington state’s mountains for the past three weeks claim there is no proof he is still alive or in the region.

The 32-year-old Travis Decker has been on the run since a sheriff’s officer discovered his truck and the bodies of his three children, Paityn Decker, 8, Evelyn Decker, and 5, in a campground north of Leavenworth on June 2. The girls were discovered three days after he did not bring them back to their mother’s house in Wenatchee, which is approximately 100 miles east of Seattle, after a planned visit.

“There is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area,” the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office said on Monday on a social media post.  “Seemingly strong early leads gave way to less convincing proofs over the last two weeks of searching. Still, we can’t and won’t quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice. And Decker remains a danger to the public as long as he’s at large.”

According to the post, resources were being reallocated to ensure that Decker’s remains were located “if he died in the rugged wilderness during this intense search — a possibility that increases every day.” Chris Whitsett, the sheriff’s inspector, stated on Tuesday that using canines trained to locate human remains is part of that.

“Because of the ruggedness, the remoteness of the of that country, and some of the conditions that we’ve observed, it’s clear that the longer he stays out there – the longer anybody stays out there – the greater the chance that something’s gonna happen, and whether he intends it or not, that he’s gonna die,” Whitsett said.

The sheriff’s office claimed that more patrols have been on duty and that the U.S. Marshals Service is working to find Decker if he was able to flee the area. Although the murders took place in nearby Chelan County, the region is connected to Kittitas and the Pacific Crest Trail, which connects Canada and Mexico, via backcountry trails.

The area is littered with caves and ancient mines, as well as abandoned buildings and vacant vacation homes where Decker might find refuge, so it wouldn’t be unusual for him to elude a search for three weeks.

In much of the same area, Jorge Alacantara-Gonzalez, who was wanted for the murder of a turkey hunter, spent 23 days evading capture in 2020. When someone called the police to report spotting someone in a cabin that shouldn’t have been occupied, he was apprehended.

In a similar vein, authorities searching for Decker said they are depending on public tips to locate him. People have been urged to examine their homes for game or surveillance cameras and to exercise caution when in the woods.

Hikers in The Enchantments, a well-known hiking destination in the Cascade Range, reported spotting a lone individual earlier this month who seemed unprepared for the weather and appeared to be avoiding other people. An off-trail hiker was seen close to an alpine lake by a responding chopper crew.

As the chopper flew by, the individual fled, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. K-9 teams followed the individual to the vicinity of the Ingalls Creek Trailhead, south of Leavenworth, before the trail disappeared after authorities discovered a trail.

“We still believe public awareness and help is our best tool — whether it comes from a cabin owner who finds something out of place, a hiker in the Enchantments who discovers evidence our searches missed, or anyone else,” the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities revealed fresh photos last week that they claim might depict Decker’s appearance following weeks of evasion.

Decker has facial hair, long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, and tattoos, according to previously made public images and Ring camera footage from the days before his disappearance. He is said to weigh 190 pounds and be 5 feet 8 inches tall.

Decker served in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 as an infantryman. In 2014, he spent four months in Afghanistan. He has received instruction in survival, navigation, and other abilities, according to authorities, and he has lived off the grid in the forests for more than two months.

Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, petitioned to change their parenting plan last September, stating that he had grown more unstable and that his mental health problems had gotten worse. Until he found a place to live, she tried to prevent him from spending the night with their girls because he was frequently living out of his vehicle.

According to an autopsy, the girls’ cause of death was suffocation. They had been covered with plastic bags and secured with zip ties.

According to sources, Whitney Decker spent three minutes at a memorial on Friday night discussing the significance of the community coming together to honor her.

“It really gave me an inside look into their day. I believe this allowed them to come into the world with open hearts and kindness,” she said.

For anyone with information on Travis Decker’s whereabouts or any potential sightings, a tipline was established. Individuals can submit information here or give 509-667-6845 a ring.

A tip that results in Decker’s arrest is being given with a $20,000 reward.