Travis Decker: Campgrounds closed, FBI takes over as manhunt for dad who ‘murdered’ three children intensifies
The manhunt for a military veteran accused of the horrific murders of his three young daughters has intensified as the FBI takes over the case.
Campgrounds and trails near where the girls’ remains were found with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties around their wrists have been closed, with around 100 officers flooding the area to conduct an “abundantly thorough” search.
Travis Decker, 32, is on the run from police who are hunting him over the gruesome deaths of his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He collected the girls for a scheduled visit on May 30, but when he failed to return them at the agreed time, their mother, Whitney, raised the alarm.
A search for the girls ended in tragedy three days later when they were found at a campground close to their father’s white 2017 GMC Sierra truck, which had two bloody handprints on the tailgate.
Last week, it was revealed that DNA and crime scene evidence indicated Mr Decker was the sole suspect in the case.
Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said the case had “shaken the foundation of our county”.
“The lives of Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia Decker were taken in a senseless and unimaginable act of violence. Our hearts remain with their loved ones, and we are unwavering in our commitment to seeking justice on their behalf.”
He said the areas being searched are “extremely challenging with steep hillsides, dense brush, minimal cell service, and unpredictable conditions”.
Over the past three months, officers had painstakingly searched vast, remote areas in the hope of locating Mr Decker or evidence that could bring answers.
Several sightings reportedly muddied the search efforts as they were later proved false. “At this time, no conclusive evidence has been found to indicate whether Travis Decker is alive or deceased. We continue to follow every credible lead.”
“While this latest operation may or may not yield any new findings, our promise is that we will not stop until we have exhausted very possible avenue to find him and bring closure to this case,” Sheriff Morrison said.
Police are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to Mr Decker’s arrest.
