Authorities Recover Remains Believed to Be Fugitive Father Travis Decker

Lead A months-long manhunt for Travis Decker, the 32-year-old Army veteran accused of killing his three young daughters, likely ended when human remains were found Thursday in remote woods south of Leavenworth, Washington.

Nut Graf The discovery of bone fragments and personal items in the Washington Cascades may conclude one of the most extensive and costly searches in state history. DNA testing is underway to confirm the identity of the remains and provide closure in a case that shocked the region this summer.

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Subheading: Search Concludes in Grindstone Mountain Wilderness Investigators deploying drones, canine units and helicopter teams combed the rugged slopes of Grindstone Mountain after the June 2 slayings at Rock Island Campground. A drone detected an “anomaly” in thick underbrush less than a mile from where Decker’s daughters-Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5-were found suffocated with plastic bags over their heads.

  • Detectives lowered by helicopter reached the site, recovering bone fragments, a shirt matching Decker’s last known attire and other belongings.
  • Officials cautioned that animal activity likely scattered the remains over time.

Subheading: Identification and Next Steps Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said the fragments have been sent for expedited DNA analysis, but he declined to speculate on the cause of death or exact location of Decker’s passing. Forensic experts note that advanced decomposition could prolong identification timelines.

Subheading: Background of the Case In late May, Decker failed to return his daughters after a scheduled three-hour custody visit. Their bodies were discovered three days later, triggering a multi-agency hunt involving the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Forest Service, Border Patrol and local search and rescue teams. The search effort exceeded $6 million and closed popular backcountry areas, including the Enchantments.

Subheading: Charges and Profile of Travis Decker Decker faced three counts each of first-degree murder and kidnapping. A former National Guard soldier with wilderness-survival training, he was considered armed and dangerous. His mental health history-borderline personality disorder and PTSD-emerged during the investigation.

Subheading: Community Impact and Family Reaction The manhunt gripped communities from Washington into Canada and Mexico. A GoFundMe for the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, raised over $1 million to cover funeral expenses and support. Family attorney Arianna Cozart thanked law enforcement and supporters worldwide, expressing hope that DNA tests will confirm Decker’s identity and bring finality to the tragedy.

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