A man suspected of killing his three daughters is believed to have died following an extensive search by law enforcement. Authorities were pursuing Travis Decker, a former soldier, in the mountainous regions of Washington state after the tragic deaths of his three children. The 33-year-old had been sought since June 2 when his truck and the bodies of his daughters were discovered at a campground outside Leavenworth.
Recent developments have seen federal prosecutors requesting to dismiss the arrest warrant for Decker based on information from the US Marshals Service indicating his death. However, there is some uncertainty as the sheriff’s office has mentioned that a conclusive decision cannot be made until DNA test results are finalized.
Investigators located remains suspected to be Decker in a remote wooded area in central Washington, yet validation of the man’s identity is pending DNA confirmation. Despite this, a court document submitted by US Attorney S. Peter Serrano stated that the US Marshals Service has informed prosecutors of Decker’s demise.
In response to these updates, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office released a statement acknowledging the information provided by the Marshals Service, but clarified that they are awaiting official DNA test results for confirmation.
The tragic incident unfolded three days after Decker failed to return his daughters to their mother’s residence in Wenatchee, leading to the discovery of the girls’ bodies near his abandoned truck at Rock Island Campground. Autopsy results revealed the cause of death as asphyxiation.
Concerns about Decker’s mental health had been raised by his ex-wife a year earlier, citing a deterioration in his condition and instability. She had filed a petition to prevent him from having overnight visits with their daughters until he secured stable housing, noting his tendency to live out of his truck.
Decker, who served as an infantryman in the US Army from 2013 to 2021 with a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014, possessed specialized training in various skills, including navigation and survival. Reports indicated that he had prior experience living off the grid for an extended period.