Authorities in Washington say they have discovered human remains believed to belong to Travis Decker, the father accused of murdering his three daughters earlier this year. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that the remains were found in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth.
Preliminary findings indicate the remains are likely Decker’s, but DNA testing will be conducted to confirm.
Long Search After Triple Murder
Decker, 32, had been the subject of a months-long manhunt after his daughters — Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5 — were found dead near a Cascade Mountains campsite on June 2, not far from where Decker’s white pickup truck was abandoned.
Authorities said the girls were discovered zip-tied with plastic bags over their heads, and autopsies determined they died of asphyxiation. Investigators also found bloody handprints on the truck’s tailgate.
Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, alerted police when he failed to return the children after a visitation. She later described him as homeless and struggling with mental health issues.
Sightings and Search Efforts
On June 10, a helicopter crew spotted someone matching Decker’s description near the campsite. Witnesses said he appeared unprepared for the trail, avoided contact, and later fled when approached. K9 units tracked him to a nearby trailhead, but he evaded capture.
Authorities later shifted resources toward finding Decker’s remains, noting the likelihood of his death increased daily.
Custody and Court Orders
Court records show Decker had been ordered to undergo mental health treatment and anger-management counseling as part of a parenting plan issued in September 2024, but he refused to comply. He also declined to sign the agreement.
Whitney Decker told investigators her ex-husband had previously returned the children as scheduled and communicated regularly about them, making the murders especially shocking.
Calls for Amber Alert Reform
In the aftermath, Whitney criticized Washington’s Amber Alert system after local police requested an alert on the Friday before the girls were found — a request that state officials denied, saying it did not meet U.S. Department of Justice criteria.
Instead, another alert was issued the following day. Authorities said it achieved a similar level of public awareness, though critics argued it was too late.
Speaking at a memorial service in June, Whitney remembered her daughters:
“They were incredible. I truly hope that the legacy of the girls’ lives lives in everyone’s heart.”
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