LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed the discovery of remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted for the tragic deaths of his three daughters. The remains were found in the mountainous areas of Washington state, with forensic teams from the Chelan County Sheriff's Office working alongside the Washington State Patrol's crime scene response team for further investigation.
While positive identification has not yet been confirmed, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office stated on Thursday.
The search for Decker intensified after he was reported missing on June 2, the same day his daughters — 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia — were found deceased at a campground. He had not returned the girls to their mother following a scheduled visitation three days prior.
Travis Decker, 32, served in the Army from 2013 to 2021 and has been connected to numerous training exercises in survival skills. According to authorities, he had previously spent extended periods living off the grid in remote areas.
Following the discovery of the girls, which authorities ruled as cases of suffocation with evidence of being bound, the U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker's capture. An extensive search operation involved over 100 officials and included searching in challenging and remote terrains through land, air, and waterways.
The unfolding investigation indicates that Decker's mental health had been a concern prior to his disappearance, with his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, expressing worries about his stability and living conditions in court filings from last September.
The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding children’s safety in custody arrangements, especially as the results of the ongoing investigation continue to develop and inform the public about the tragic events surrounding this case.
