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The search for Travis Decker, the father wanted as the primary suspect in his daughters’ murders, is leading to the closure of several parks as investigators continue their efforts.
His daughters were found suffocated to death in a Washington campground on June 2, just three days after he had picked them up for a custody visit.
He has not been seen since.
Multiple sightings of Decker, 32, have been reported, but ultimately none have led police to him.
Authorities are closing various forest regions, including the location where his daughters’ bodies were discovered, amid earlier speculations that he might have fled to Canada.
Park closures
The US Forest Service announced the closure of multiple areas “to allow the FBI to conduct an ongoing investigation.”
Rock Island Campground, where the girls’ bodies were found, is one of the areas police are searching.
Chatter Creek Camp Ground, Blackpine Horse Camp Ground, and several trails within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are shut down for the investigation, with closures occurring from August 24 to August 27.
The 3.8-million-acre forest goes from the Canadian border to the Yakama Indian Reservation.
Visitors are prohibited while crews try to search the terrain.
In July, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said that they would lessen their presence at the crime scene after an “exhaustive search.”
“As of today, Mr. Decker has still not been located, and there is not enough information to determine if he is alive or deceased,” stated the office.
“A decrease in leads and tips into the potential location of Mr. Decker has led to a reduced footprint.”
Rescue teams are employing water crews, K-9 units, and aerial resources, as well as conducting foot searches in the campground and nearby areas, with millions of dollars being allocated to the operation.
Decker, labeled as armed and dangerous, is wanted on charges of three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection to the deaths of the girls.
Timeline of the missing Decker girls
Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead at a campground after they were last seen on a custody visit to their dad.
Below is a timeline of events:
May 29: Cell phone activity shows that the girls’ dad, Travis Decker, drove to the Rock Island Campground and left.
May 30: 5 pm – Travis Decker picks the three girls up from their mom, Whitney Decker.
8 pm – Travis Decker is supposed to return the girls but doesn’t. Whitney Decker calls him and it goes to voicemail.
9:45 pm – Whitney Decker calls the Wenatchee Police Department to report her daughters missing.
Travis Decker’s truck is seen driving westbound on Highway 2.
Washington State Patrol is contacted for an Amber Alert but said the situation didn’t match their criteria.
May 31 : WPD issues an Endangered Missing Persons Alert.
June 2: 3:45 pm – Travis Decker’s truck is found empty at Rock Island Campground with two bloody handprints and items inside.
5 pm – Cops search the area and find the bodies of the three girls.
June 3: 9:30 am – Cops notify the public that they are still searching for Decker.
2 pm – WPD tells the public that the three girls were found dead and that Travis Decker is still on the loose.
June 8: Federal authorities take over search efforts.
June 9: Autopsy results confirm three girls were murdered by suffocation.
June 13: An affidavit revealed Whitney described Travis as having “recent mental health concerns.”
“She provided the examples of randomly leaving or waking her up by screaming at her in the middle of the night,” it read.
“She also said near the end of the marriage he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder that she believes he currently does not take medications for.”
June 17: New audio of Travis in court fighting for custody of his daughters is released.
“I understand that my current position when I’m by myself isn’t ideal, but my daughters aren’t a part of that,” he said in September 2024.
“I only get to see them over the weekends and camping is something that the four of us have done since the three of them were in diapers.”
June 20: Memorial is held where Whitney speaks publicly about girls for first time.
July 5: A family spotted a man believed to be Travis Decker in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho.
July 9: US Marshals call off the search in Sawtooth National Forest after locating and questioning the man believed to be Travis Decker and confirming it isn’t him.
Police had asked those visiting the parks to keep an eye out for any clues that could lead to his discovery, and $20,000 is being offered for information leading to his arrest,
Canadian ties
Just days before he picked up his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, Decker had searched how to move to Canada.
His truck, alongside the girls’ bodies, were found less than a dozen miles from the Pacific Crest Trail – a 2,650-mile path that runs to the Canadian border.
Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said that Canadians have been also been aiding in the search.
“It’s, again, attentive citizens up there in Canada, which we appreciate, being aware of this case and keeping an eye out on the story and information on a possible suspect,” Morrison told KIRO.
“We’re following up where we can, and we appreciate those agencies that are willing to help us out, and in doing that, just based off the geographical spread at times that we have for follow-up on these tips.”
New DNA evidence
This month, police announced that DNA evidence collected from items found with the girls had “DNA profiles matching Travis Decker.”
All three were found with plastic bags over their heads and cable ties near their bodies, police confirming that the items had Decker’s DNA on them.
“The completion of this DNA analysis provides additional evidence that indicates Travis Decker is the only suspect involved in committing these homicides,” the sheriff’s office said.
“If you see Travis Decker, please call 911 immediately and do not attempt to contact or approach him.”
