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POLICE have issued an update in the manhunt that’s now spanned three weeks for the dad accused of killing his three young daughters.
A recently distributed flyer of Travis Decker, age 32, displays the father with a variety of distinct hairstyles in unusual computer-generated images, as authorities caution he may have altered his appearance.
Decker is still on the loose after allegedly suffocating his daughters to death at a Washington campsite during a planned visit on May 30.
Paityn, 9, Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead at the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, three days later.
While his truck was discovered nearby without him, a large-scale search involving multiple agencies was initiated. Decker, a former Army member, is considered dangerous and potentially armed.
On Tuesday, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office shared updated images of Decker, who faces charges of three counts each of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
The computer-generated pictures show altered versions of Decker’s Facebook profile picture, which has been widely used in the search for him.
The original image shows Decker with a hat and facial hair, but cops shared what he might look like with a shaved head, no hat, and different facial hair.
Authorities also shot down rumors that Decker has been caught after a TikTok video with false claims has gone viral.
The fake clip shows CCSO Sheriff Mike Morrison speaking and claims that Decker was captured, which isn’t true as the manhunt is well into its third week.
“Our Office was notified of a TikTok video that was released which portrays Sheriff Morrison and claims Mr. Decker has been taken into custody after a long standoff,” CCSO said in a press release.
“To be clear, Mr. Decker is not in custody and CCSO had no part in making the video.”
The US Marshals Service is leading the search for Decker through rugged terrain after investigators were previously scouring the Pacific Coast Trail, police said.
Officials are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to Decker’s arrest.
Decker is a veteran with extensive military training and a history of surviving in the wilderness alone for months.
In addition to the US Marshals Service and the CCSO, the Washington Army National Guard and the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office are also helping search the ground with troops and the air with helicopters.
Statement from Chelan County Sheriff’s Office
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office released the following update on the search for Travis Decker on June 17.
Investigators continue to process crime scene evidence while search teams remain engaged on the ground and from the air.
CCSO Detectives continue their in-depth investigation by continuing to gather information from both new sources, and reviewing lab results from evidence gathered on the scene. At the same time, CCSO, Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), The WA Army National Guard (WA ANG) and the US Marshals Service are conducting collaborative search efforts to locate Mr. Decker.
As of today, we and our law enforcement partners continue a concerted effort into the triple homicide investigation and search for the suspect, Travis Decker. Personnel are deployed throughout the region and backcountry areas of Chelan and Kittitas Counties following up on leads and searching for signs of Mr. Decker. While search operations continue around the clock, CCSO Detectives are further developing the criminal case, conducting follow up interviews, processing evidence, and reviewing data and analysis from evidentiary items sent to the crime lab for processing.
KCSO has been placing numerous resources on the ground and in the air. CCSO is very thankful for their assistance, especially given their experience with searching for suspects in the woods, which they are currently deploying for this case.
Service Members of the WA ANG continue to be a vital resource to the search as they have continued aerial surveillance, provided more air assets, and conducted personnel movements for the ground search teams. They are a critical component in getting personnel into remote areas for tracking and searching. Along with the WA ANG, CCSO’s Air Support Unit (ASU) has also remained engaged, flying the search areas while providing more eyes in the sky and assisting with coordination of the ground search teams. CCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel are deployed for the search as well. Their vast experience, training, and expertise within our remote areas is an incredibly valuable asset to the operation.
The US Marshals Service has been another vital component of this investigation, more particular with the search for Mr. Decker. They are conducting in depth investigations, interviews, assessments, and deploying specialized personnel while assuming the lead role in the
search for Mr. Decker. CCSO will maintain a primary focus on the criminal investigation and continue to supplement the Marshal’s Service when needed.
During all of these simultaneous operations, the day-to-day law enforcement operations continue here at CCSO. Our Patrol Supervisors and Deputies have done an incredible job at maintaining the needs and safety of our citizens despite the heavy toll this case has taken on our personnel, resources, and communities. They continue to allocate resources and personnel to ensure shifts are staffed while we enter our busy season, ensuring our neighborhoods, roadways, and waterway remain safe for all to enjoy. The personnel of RIVERCOM, our local dispatch center, have also been instrumental in this investigation and have shown great resilience in their ability to take on the influx of calls we are receiving at the onset of our busy season.
Our Office was notified of a TikTok video that was released which portrays Sheriff Morrison and claims Mr. Decker has been taken into custody after a long standoff. To be clear, Mr. Decker is not in custody and CCSO had no part in making the video.
At this time, we do not have any additional information that would suggest there is a threat to public safety, particularly within the back country and remote areas of our region. To our knowledge, all trails and recreation sites managed by the US Forest Service remain open to the public. However, we still encourage everyone who is outside recreating to remain vigilant and report any suspicious information to law enforcement.
Here at CCSO we are extremely grateful for all of the men and women of the law enforcement agencies who have, have been, and currently are, participating in this investigation. The combined team effort is what gives the greatest opportunity in bringing this case to a close.
The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to Travis DECKER’s arrest. The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
If you see Travis Decker, please call 911 immediately and do not attempt to contact or approach him. Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
Source: CCSO
Last week, cops said they believed Decker was traveling alone after an outdoors group spotted a lone hiker in an eerie sighting.
The hiker “appeared to be ill-prepared for trail and weather conditions, and appeared to be avoiding others,” CCSO said.
Search teams immediately sent in helicopters to search the area, and the chopper crew then spotted the hiker near a remote alpine lake called Colchuk Lake.
They saw the hiker, who was off the trail, sprint out of sight as the helicopter flew overhead, police said.
Cops believe the hiker was Decker.
He was last seen with his hair in a ponytail and wearing a light shirt and dark shorts.
Experts believe there’s a good chance Decker is near the Canadian border by now.
Timeline of the missing Decker girls
Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 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:
Monday, May 26
Travis Decker searches online for “how does a person move to Canada,” a Canadian job website, and “how does a person move to Canada.”
Thursday, May 29
Decker’s cell activity shows that he drove to and from the Rock Island Campground.
Friday, May 30
5 pm – The three girls are picked up from their mom’s house by their dad.
8 pm – Decker is supposed to return the girls but doesn’t. Their mom’s calls to him go straight to voicemail.
9:45 pm – Whitney Decker calls the Wenatchee Police Department to report her daughters missing.
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.
Saturday, May 31
WPD issues an Endangered Missing Persons Alert.
Monday, June 2
3:45 pm – Decker’s truck is found empty with bloody adult-sized hand prints at Rock Island Campground.
5 pm – Cops search the area and find the bodies of the three girls.
Tuesday, June 3
9:30 am – WPD notifies the public that they are still searching for Decker.
2 pm – WPD tells the public that the three girls were found dead and that Decker is still on the loose.
Friday, June 6
The girls’ autopsy report confirms that they died by suffocation.
Sunday, June 8
6 pm – Chelan County Sheriff’s Office hands the search for Decker to the federal authorities.
