Travis Decker’s search: Human remains found in Washington forest believed to be of fugitive army veteran father, accused of killing his 3 daughters

Human remains found in a remote Washington forest are believed to be those of Travis Decker, the fugitive father accused of murdering his three young daughters before disappearing into the wilderness earlier this year. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday, September 18, that the remains were found in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth and are believed to be those of fugitive Travis Decker.

“While positive identification has not yet been confirmed, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. The search was part of a coordinated effort involving the US Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, Washington State Patrol, US Border Patrol, and the FBI.

The scene is still being processed, and DNA testing will be carried out to confirm the identity. Decker, 32, a former Army soldier with extensive survival training, was wanted in connection with the May killings of his daughters, 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia, as per CNN.

How did the search for Travis Decker begin?

The search for Decker began on May 30, after the girls’ mother reported he had failed to return them to her Wenatchee home, about 100 miles east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit. Three days later, their bodies were discovered down an embankment at a Cascade Mountains campsite. Their wrists had been bound with zip ties, and autopsies revealed they had died from suffocation, authorities said, as per CBS.

Investigators later confirmed through DNA evidence that Decker was the sole suspect in the murders. In June, authorities released photos showing how he might have altered his appearance, and a reward of up to $20,000 was offered for information leading to his capture.

Decker has limited visits with the daughters

Decker's visits were limited to the Wenatchee Valley, with no overnight stays permitted, according to komonews. According to the family's attorney, a judge last September recommended Decker undergo psychiatric evaluation and treatment. His known mental health issues include PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and trauma from his time as an Army Ranger.