Washington police said U.S. Marshals hastily declared a missing fugitive dead after unidentified remains were discovered last week.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office informed KIRO that the U.S. Marshals prematurely filed paperwork declaring Travis Decker deceased. This filing was intended to terminate the criminal proceedings against Decker, who was accused of murdering his three daughters and escaping.
On September 19, skeletal remains were reportedly discovered on Grindstone Mountain, located in a wooded area to the south of Leavenworth. Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison is said to have requested several forensic evaluations from the Washington State Patrol’s crime lab — focusing on a partial spinal column, two femurs, two feet, and attire found with the remains. The clothing under examination includes Army Ranger shorts, a shirt, and a bracelet.
The unidentified remains were discovered in a forested area under a mile away from the Rock Island Campground, where the bodies of 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker were found on June 2.
All three girls had plastic bags over their heads — two of the girls had two bags over their heads, and the third had three bags.
Authorities believe that Decker murdered his three daughters during a scheduled visit and fled the scene. DNA tests confirmed the former Army soldier as the sole suspect in the murders — since the DNA on the bags matched only his or his daughters’ DNA.
Near the scene of the crime, Decker’s truck was located, abandoned with bloody handprints on the tailgate. Decker’s mobile phone data allegedly indicated he was near the area at the time his daughters disappeared.
The U.S. Marshals reported that a dive team found a key fob in Icicle Creek, several hundred yards downstream from where the three girls’ bodies were discovered. The key fob closely resembled one belonging to Decker’s truck, as noted by KIRO.
An arrest warrant was issued for Decker in June. At the time, he was wanted for three counts of first-degree aggravated murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping.
Police said DNA results are expected in the next few days.
* Additional reporting by Leigh Egan
[Feature Photo: Wenatchee police]
