Travis Decker manhunt update: Washington father wanted for murder of his three daughters is still missing

Almost two months after his daughters were found dead in a remote Washington campground, the man accused of killing them still remains missing, and authorities are beginning to wonder if someone is helping him hide.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison says investigators have exhausted much of the terrain around Rock Island Campground, where Mr Decker’s pickup was discovered abandoned in early June.

Inside: nothing to suggest where he might’ve gone. Outside: the bodies of 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia, all allegedly killed by asphyxiation.

“There’s still a potential that he could be alive and still actively fleeing from us,” Sheriff Morrison said.

The US is currently in Summer, with authorities believe Mr Decker could comfortably live outdoors in the conditions.

“As bear hunting season opens in August, and others continue their outdoor pursuits, we strongly encourage everyone venturing out into these areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, persons, or items they may come across.”

But without reports of stolen food or missing gear in the area, Sheriff Morrison said the odds that Mr Decker is surviving alone in the wilderness — trapping or foraging — are “not likely.”

Which brings investigators to a troubling possibility.

“Certainly, (there’s the) potential that he could have someone that was just more sympathetic to him and is providing him assistance,” Sheriff Morrison said.

“We put the message out that we don’t think that’s a wise decision, but we get that everyone’s going to make their own choices.”

Mr Decker, 32, picked up his daughters on May 30 for a court-approved visit but never returned them. Their mother, Whitney Decker, contacted the authorities that night when the handover did not happen.

On June 2, the three girls’ bodies were found near Mr Deckers’ truck. However, Mr Decker, a former combat veteran, was nowhere to be seen.

Despite the extensive searches and multiple reported sightings (none confirmed), the sheriff’s office announced on July 25 that the efforts to locate Mr Decker would be scaled back, as unfortunately, their leads slowed to a trickle.

“There is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor if he is deceased,” the office said.

Sheriff Morrison hasn’t ruled out the idea that Mr Decker may have left the area with someone’s help, deliberately or otherwise.

“There are roads in the area that he could have made it to,” Sheriff Morrison said.

“And if someone wasn’t paying attention, they might’ve provided a ride to him, not knowing what he was associated with. Or maybe they did know, and they did provide him a ride.”

There’s also the possibility that Mr Decker left the country. According to an affidavit from the US Marshals Service, he had previously searched “how to relocate to Canada” online.

The most recent coordinated search was in the Blewett Pass area of the Wenatchee Mountains, spurred by two separate tip-offs. Neither panned out.

Mr Decker is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.

“We’re frustrated because, certainly, we’d like to have closure not only for our community, but for the family,” Sheriff Morrison said.

“And with the amount of resources we put in there, I was kind of hopeful that we would’ve gotten something. This could be a longer, drawn-out search, and we’re still optimistic that we will get closure.”