Remains Believed to be of Travis Decker, Suspected of Killing his Children, Found in Washington
Officials in Washington state have reportedly discovered human remains, suspected to be that of Travis Decker. Decker is the man believed to have taken the lives of his three young daughters before vanishing into the wilderness.
The local Sheriff's department in Chelan County announced that the findings point towards the remains belonging to Decker, even though a positive identification is yet to be made. The remains were found in a secluded woodland area to the south of Leavenworth town.
Evidence Collection and Confirmation
The scene is still undergoing examination by law enforcement officials. The Sheriff's office has also stated that a DNA test will be conducted to confirm if the remains indeed belong to Decker.
Decker, a 32-year-old former serviceman in the Army, was a known survivalist. He was accused of killing his daughters, 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia, in May.
The Search for Decker
The search for Decker was initiated on May 30 when the mother of the girls informed police that he had failed to bring them back to her home in Wenatchee, Washington, after a scheduled visit. Wenatchee is situated approximately 100 miles east of Seattle.
Tragically, their bodies were discovered three days later down an embankment at a campsite located in the Cascade Mountains. The girls had been bound with zip ties, and the cause of death was determined to be suffocation.
Following DNA testing, Decker was identified as the sole suspect in their horrific murders.
Location of the Remains
The remains believed to be Decker's were found on Grindstone Mountain, not too far from where the bodies of his daughters were found.
Chelan County Sheriff, Mike Morrison, announced to the local station that items found in the vicinity of the remains, including clothing, bore resemblance to what Decker was last seen wearing. In addition to this, some personal items were also discovered, though he did not reveal what these were.
In the search, drones and cadaver dogs were employed to aid the efforts.
Efforts to Locate Decker
In an attempt to find Decker, authorities released modified images in June showing how he may have altered his appearance. They also offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information that could lead to his apprehension.
The discovery of these remains could potentially bring an end to the manhunt for Decker, though confirmation is pending. This case has highlighted the horrifying act of a father accused of murdering his innocent children, a tragedy that has left the community deeply shaken.