Authorities have reportedly identified Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted for the tragic deaths of his three daughters, near Colchuk Lake in Washington State. This sighting followed a tip from hikers who noticed an individual seemingly ill-equipped for the harsh conditions. Upon receiving the alert, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office dispatched tracking teams and air units, which located a hiker in the area; however, the individual fled when they were spotted.
While specific details of the sighting were not disclosed, an alert was sent to residents of Ingalls Creek and Valleyhi communities, advising them to secure their homes and remain vigilant for Decker, aged 32. He has been evading capture since June 2, when deputies discovered his truck along with the bodies of his daughters—nine-year-old Paityn, eight-year-old Evelyn, and five-year-old Olivia—at a campground near Leavenworth. Decker failed to return the girls to their mother, prompting a widespread search.
Decker served as an infantryman in the US Army from March 2013 until July 2021, during which time he was deployed to Afghanistan for four months. He possesses skills in navigation and survival, having previously lived off the grid for over two months. Authorities have utilised a coordinated effort from various state and federal agencies, searching significant stretches of mountainous and remote terrain by both air and land.
The US Marshals Service has announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker’s arrest. Concerns over his mental health have previously been raised by his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, who indicated worsening instability and expressed fear for their children’s safety. Tragically, an autopsy found the girls died from suffocation; evidence revealed they had been bound with zip ties and suffocated with plastic bags.
This ongoing manhunt underscores the serious implications of domestic instability and the tragic consequences that can arise, prompting authorities and the community to remain vigilant in the search for justice.