Travis Decker, Accused of Killing His Three Daughters, Found Dead in Washington State
Prosecutors have moved to drop charges against Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three young daughters earlier this year, after the U.S. Marshals Service informed them Decker is dead, according to court documents. Local law enforcement confirmed that the human remains found in Washington state last week came back as a match for Decker after DNA testing.
“We are glad to say that those remains do come back as a positive match for Travis,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said during a news conference. “We can finally bring a close to this dark chapter of Chelan County.” The coroner’s office is working to determine the cause of death and how long Decker has been dead, Morrison said.
Investigation and Discovery of Remains
The sheriff’s office said the remains were discovered in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth, Washington, using a drone. Authorities found a decomposed body with bone fragments spread around the hillside, along with clothing and other personal items, Morrison said. The body was found in a “mountainous area” that was not along a trail, and it was about a three-hour hike to get to the remains on foot.
Decker, a 32-year-old former Army soldier, was accused in May of killing his three daughters, 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker. DNA testing confirmed he was the only suspect in the murders, police have said.
Background and Previous Events
The girls’ mother alerted authorities on May 30 that Decker had not returned the three girls on time to her at her home in Wenatchee, Washington, following a scheduled visit, and a search was launched. The girls’ bodies were found three days later at a campsite in the Cascade Mountains, along with Decker’s truck. An autopsy determined their cause of death was suffocation, authorities said.
In September 2024, Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, filed to modify their custody agreement, citing Decker’s worsening mental health issues and increasing instability. Decker, an Army infantryman from March 2013 to July 2021, had extensive training in navigation, survival, and other survival skills, authorities previously said.
Despite the continued search, police said in late June that they believe Decker may have died or left the area. The case drew widespread attention and sparked a monthslong manhunt.
Nicole Brown Chau and Kierra Frazier contributed to this report.
For more information, visit Here
Image Source: www.cbsnews.com
