() Human remains believed to be the body of Travis Decker have been found, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in Washington state.
“Although we have not yet confirmed the identification, initial indications suggest the remains may be those of Travis Decker,” stated the sheriff’s office.
The remains were located in a remote wooded area south of the town of Leavenworth, Washington, department officials added.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is actively processing the scene, with support from the Washington State Patrol’s crime scene response team, and will proceed with DNA testing.
Travis Decker accused of killing three daughters
Decker had been evading authorities for over three months after being accused of murdering his three daughters, 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia, in early June.
Their bodies were found at the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, after Decker picked them up for a planned visitation.
Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and they were found with their wrists zip-tied, court documents said.
After their disappearance, a detective noted that the girls’ mother was “concerned because Decker reportedly has never acted in this manner before and is facing some mental health challenges.”
Prior to the girls’ deaths, Decker had already lost overnight custody amidst worries the children were sleeping in an armory while under his supervision, as revealed by courtroom audio.
A former Army soldier, Decker was homeless and would sleep in his vehicle, motels and campgrounds, according to police.
Travis Decker’s DNA found at site of daughter’s deaths
Officials said DNA matching Decker and his three daughters were the only profiles found at the scene of the girls’ deaths.
Blood was also found near his truck at the scene, authorities said.
“We are certain that every DNA sample recovered pertains to the same male individual, whom we suspect is Mr. Decker,” said Dan Ozment, undersheriff of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
Travis Decker potential sightings while on the run
While on the run, several potential sightings of Decker were provided to police. Days after he went missing, a tip came in from hikers who spotted a lone hiker who seemed to be very ill-prepared for the trail. Authorities also said he was seen running from a helicopter.
U.S. marshals got another tip July 5 from a family that claimed to have seen a person in the Bear Creek area of the Sawtooth National Forest. The description of the individual was consistent with that of Decker.
The family also reported that the person didn’t want to make eye contact and didn’t respond when trying to strike up a conversation.
However, the trail went cold and the sheriff’s office said for weeks that it was unsure whether Decker was alive or dead.
Bones found during search for Decker
Last month, bones were discovered by FBI agents at the campground where Decker allegedly killed his three daughters.
The FBI had closed the campground to continue the search for Decker. A total of 100 law enforcement officers were brought in to look for items related to the girls’ deaths. However, those bones were determined to be nonhuman.
Further updates on the discovery of Decker’s possible remains are expected Friday.
