() As the search continues for the man accused of murdering his daughters in Washington state before going missing in late May, authorities caution the public against potential sympathetic feelings towards Travis Decker due to his history of reported mental illness and experience in family court.
“There’s some that may be sympathetic to his cause, which I think would be misguided,” said Sheriff Michael Morrison. “I mean, he’s accused of murder, not just once, but three times, and he is a danger. So, for those that might have sympathy towards him, please allow the opportunity for us to do our job.”
Decker has been missing since May 30, when authorities say he took his three daughters during a parental visit and never returned them to their mother’s home in Wenatchee.
His daughters were found dead near a campsite with his truck on June 2, according to authorities. An autopsy revealed the girls died from suffocation.
Authorities said they collected “a large amount of evidence” from the truck at the scene, including human male blood along with nonhuman blood. Decker’s dog was also found and turned over to the Humane Society.
Morrison told his hope is that Decker can be captured alive.
“That is our hope. That’s ultimately up to him, but we would like him to have his chance to sit in front of our judges and to face justice,” said Morrison. “And we want to make sure that (Decker’s daughters’) voices are heard. Their story is heard, and that their killer is faced with justice.”
local affiliate KOIN in Portland, Oregon, contributed to this report.
