The search for the father accused of killing his three daughters has encountered another setback as a potential Fourth of July sighting in a well-known Idaho state park led nowhere.
Authorities continue to pursue 33-year-old Travis Decker, a former U.S. military member and skilled in wilderness survival, who is suspected of murdering his daughters – Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 – before disappearing into the Washington wilderness.
Recently, a tipster reported supposedly seeing Decker in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest, raising hopes of a breakthrough in the investigation after over a month of searching, as reported by Fox 13.
Travis Decker was believed to be living out of his pickup truck at the time of the alleged murders. (Wenatchee Police Department)
“Multiple canines with different disciplines are being utilized, and have been being utilized, throughout the search,” a Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) spokesperson said in a previous statement to Fox News Digital. “This includes human remains detection dogs.”
Last week, CCSO confirmed that traces of blood found on the tailgate of Decker’s truck matched the DNA of the wanted father, further ruling out the possibility of additional suspects in the brutal slayings.
“With this evidence, along with the other evidentiary items found at the scene, we do not have any reason to believe there are any other suspects,” the department said in a statement.
Authorities have warned the community that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous, but is not an immediate threat to public safety. He is charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping.
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Decker’s arrest.
