Topline: Nearly two months after his daughters were found murdered, Decker remains missing, and officials say they’re preparing for a long search.
Published: July 30, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Almost two months into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most urgent and haunting manhunts, the search for Travis Decker—the Washington father accused of murdering his three young daughters—has entered a quieter but still determined phase.
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, efforts to find Decker have been “exhaustive,” with search teams scouring rugged terrain across central Washington.
But in a public update on Friday, officials acknowledged a shift: the active ground search is being scaled back due to a decline in new leads. “There is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor if he is deceased,” the agency said in a statement.
Decker vanished in late May during a scheduled visit with his children—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5. When he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee on June 2, authorities discovered a horrific scene near Rock Island Campground: the bodies of all three girls, found zip-tied and suffocated, abandoned near his truck.
A handprint on the truck was discovered and matched to Decker through DNA.
An intense multi-agency search was launched after authorities discovered the bodies across some of the state’s most remote wilderness. Officials tracked potential sightings, deployed K9 units and helicopters, and followed any credible tip—none more high-profile than a lead in Idaho earlier this month that briefly raised hopes of a breakthrough.
That search, concentrated around Bear Creek in the Sawtooth National Forest, unraveled after law enforcement confirmed the man spotted in the area was a hiker who simply resembled Decker.
“The hiker who is the same height and roughly the same weight as Decker, also has dark features, a beard and tattoos on his arm and calf,” U.S. Marshals Service official Michael Leigh told reporters, as cited by Fox 13 Seattle. The man was cooperative and quickly cleared.
The false alarm was one of several. While numerous sightings have been reported—including a recent one in Idaho—none have been substantiated.
“Potential evidence and intelligence gathered… are inconclusive,” Chelan County officials reiterated, referring to a recent search north of Mineral Springs Campground in the Blewett Pass area. That location had previously been a focus due to its remoteness and proximity to the last confirmed location of Decker’s vehicle.
Despite dwindling tips, the criminal investigation remains active. Investigators continue to process digital and physical evidence and say they are prepared for a long process. “We could be in a fight for five years, 10 years, 20 years,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told ABC News earlier this month. “I certainly hope we’re looking at a couple weeks and it closes out, but it could be a long time and we are committed to staying with it.”
Decker, 32, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping. Authorities warn he should be considered armed and dangerous and may have altered his appearance. They’ve also suggested he may have died while evading capture, though there is no definitive evidence either way.
“We can’t and won’t quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice,” the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement earlier this month, noting that thousands of hours had been poured into the operation already.
For now, the U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker’s arrest. Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately and not approach him under any circumstances.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Everything You Need to Know About the Current State of the Travis Decker Manhunt
Nearly two months after his daughters were found murdered, Decker remains missing, and officials say they’re preparing for a long search.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 30, 2025 8:00 am ET
Almost two months into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most urgent and haunting manhunts, the search for Travis Decker—the Washington father accused of murdering his three young daughters—has entered a quieter but still determined phase.
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, efforts to find Decker have been “exhaustive,” with search teams scouring rugged terrain across central Washington.
But in a public update on Friday, officials acknowledged a shift: the active ground search is being scaled back due to a decline in new leads. “There is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor if he is deceased,” the agency said in a statement.
Decker vanished in late May during a scheduled visit with his children—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5. When he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee on June 2, authorities discovered a horrific scene near Rock Island Campground: the bodies of all three girls, found zip-tied and suffocated, abandoned near his truck.
A handprint on the truck was discovered and matched to Decker through DNA.
An intense multi-agency search was launched after authorities discovered the bodies across some of the state’s most remote wilderness. Officials tracked potential sightings, deployed K9 units and helicopters, and followed any credible tip—none more high-profile than a lead in Idaho earlier this month that briefly raised hopes of a breakthrough.
That search, concentrated around Bear Creek in the Sawtooth National Forest, unraveled after law enforcement confirmed the man spotted in the area was a hiker who simply resembled Decker.
“The hiker who is the same height and roughly the same weight as Decker, also has dark features, a beard and tattoos on his arm and calf,” U.S. Marshals Service official Michael Leigh told reporters, as cited by Fox 13 Seattle. The man was cooperative and quickly cleared.
The false alarm was one of several. While numerous sightings have been reported—including a recent one in Idaho—none have been substantiated.
“Potential evidence and intelligence gathered… are inconclusive,” Chelan County officials reiterated, referring to a recent search north of Mineral Springs Campground in the Blewett Pass area. That location had previously been a focus due to its remoteness and proximity to the last confirmed location of Decker’s vehicle.
Despite dwindling tips, the criminal investigation remains active. Investigators continue to process digital and physical evidence and say they are prepared for a long process. “We could be in a fight for five years, 10 years, 20 years,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told ABC News earlier this month. “I certainly hope we’re looking at a couple weeks and it closes out, but it could be a long time and we are committed to staying with it.”
Decker, 32, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping. Authorities warn he should be considered armed and dangerous and may have altered his appearance. They’ve also suggested he may have died while evading capture, though there is no definitive evidence either way.
“We can’t and won’t quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice,” the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement earlier this month, noting that thousands of hours had been poured into the operation already.
For now, the U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker’s arrest. Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately and not approach him under any circumstances.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Everything You Need to Know About the Current State of the Travis Decker Manhunt
Nearly two months after his daughters were found murdered, Decker remains missing, and officials say they’re preparing for a long search.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 30, 2025 8:00 am ET
Almost two months into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most urgent and haunting manhunts, the search for Travis Decker—the Washington father accused of murdering his three young daughters—has entered a quieter but still determined phase.
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, efforts to find Decker have been “exhaustive,” with search teams scouring rugged terrain across central Washington.
But in a public update on Friday, officials acknowledged a shift: the active ground search is being scaled back due to a decline in new leads. “There is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor if he is deceased,” the agency said in a statement.
Decker vanished in late May during a scheduled visit with his children—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5. When he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee on June 2, authorities discovered a horrific scene near Rock Island Campground: the bodies of all three girls, found zip-tied and suffocated, abandoned near his truck.
A handprint on the truck was discovered and matched to Decker through DNA.
An intense multi-agency search was launched after authorities discovered the bodies across some of the state’s most remote wilderness. Officials tracked potential sightings, deployed K9 units and helicopters, and followed any credible tip—none more high-profile than a lead in Idaho earlier this month that briefly raised hopes of a breakthrough.
That search, concentrated around Bear Creek in the Sawtooth National Forest, unraveled after law enforcement confirmed the man spotted in the area was a hiker who simply resembled Decker.
“The hiker who is the same height and roughly the same weight as Decker, also has dark features, a beard and tattoos on his arm and calf,” U.S. Marshals Service official Michael Leigh told reporters, as cited by Fox 13 Seattle. The man was cooperative and quickly cleared.
The false alarm was one of several. While numerous sightings have been reported—including a recent one in Idaho—none have been substantiated.
“Potential evidence and intelligence gathered… are inconclusive,” Chelan County officials reiterated, referring to a recent search north of Mineral Springs Campground in the Blewett Pass area. That location had previously been a focus due to its remoteness and proximity to the last confirmed location of Decker’s vehicle.
Despite dwindling tips, the criminal investigation remains active. Investigators continue to process digital and physical evidence and say they are prepared for a long process. “We could be in a fight for five years, 10 years, 20 years,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told ABC News earlier this month. “I certainly hope we’re looking at a couple weeks and it closes out, but it could be a long time and we are committed to staying with it.”
Decker, 32, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping. Authorities warn he should be considered armed and dangerous and may have altered his appearance. They’ve also suggested he may have died while evading capture, though there is no definitive evidence either way.
“We can’t and won’t quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice,” the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement earlier this month, noting that thousands of hours had been poured into the operation already.
For now, the U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker’s arrest. Anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately and not approach him under any circumstances.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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