The possible remains of accused child killer Travis Decker indicate he met a grisly end, detectives investigating his disappearance believe.
The veteran and father-of-three has been missing since early June, after he allegedly suffocated his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5.
Earlier this week, authorities announced they may have discovered the remains of Decker. Sheriff Michael Morrison spoke with NewsNation regarding their unfortunate find.
Morrison stated that they came across two intact feet, clothing, and other body parts scattered in the Wenatchee Mountains, likely due to wild animals.
Police identified ‘abnormalities’ in the steep, forested area during a review of drone footage, which led to detectives being airlifted to the location.
Currently, it is not confirmed if these remains are connected to the suspect father, as they await a formal report from the Washington State Patrol’s crime lab.
Morrison mentioned: ‘We’re not celebrating just yet until we have DNA confirmation. However, this find is significant.’
Forensics experts will try to determine how the individual died and how long the individual had been dead, according to Michael Morrison.
In the depths of Washington’s wilderness, two intact human feet, clothing, and additional body parts were found, suspected to belong to Travis Decker, who is accused of child murder.
The ex-soldier has been missing since early June, after he allegedly suffocated his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, prior to a custody exchange with his ex-wife
Decker is said to have killed the three youngsters prior to a custody exchange with his ex-wife.
If the body is confirmed to be Decker’s and no foul play is involved, Morrison said it would bring an end to both the case and the region’s largest manhunt.
He also expressed hope that such a resolution might offer some measure of closure to Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney – the mother of the slain children.
‘It’s not going to bring her daughters back, no matter what,’ Morrison said, ‘but if she can rest easier at night, I feel like we’ve accomplished at least a portion of our job.’
Police had previously noted that the 32-year-old had extensive wilderness survival training as an Army veteran and member of the Washington National Guard.
He joined the Army in 2013 and served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021.
The Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge due to Decker’s absences when his daughters were killed.
But as the search wore on, authorities became less certain he was still alive and hiding out in the wilderness.
The remains and other belongings were discovered strewn about – possibly by wild animals – in a remote area of the Wenatchee Mountains (pictured)
Decker had been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff’s deputy found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters at a campground
Decker (pictured) went on the run in early June after allegedly suffocating his daughters
Decker, a former soldier, had been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff’s deputy found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters at a campground.
The discovery came three days after he failed to return the girls to their mother’s home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit.
Search crews, comprised of officers from two sheriff’s offices, the US Marshals Service, two police departments and Central Washington University’s anthropology department, used electronic mapping to document the scope of their search.
They ultimately went beyond their planned perimeter to cover as much ground as they possibly could.
It is not yet certain that the discovery is linked to the accused father as investigators wait for an official report from the Washington State Patrol’s crime lab
His ex-wife told police she didn’t believe Decker was dangerous, and that he loved his daughters, with whom he had a ‘good relationship.’ Pictured: Whitney Decker with her and ex-husband Travis Decker’s three daughters
Authorities had vowed to stop at nothing to bring justice to the Decker girls and their family.
Police said he was also homeless and living out of his car by the time he picked up his three girls from their mother’s house on May 30.
His ex-wife told police she didn’t believe Decker was dangerous, and that he loved his daughters, with whom he had a ‘good relationship.’
He had been suffering from mental health issues at the time, and had recently been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
Decker was even court-mandated to receive mental health treatment and domestic violence anger management counseling but had refused.
