New video released in search for Travis Decker, suspected of killing his 3 daughters
New video released in search for Travis Decker, suspected of killing his 3 daughters
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New footage of Travis Decker released amid manhunt
Travis Decker is wanted on first-degree murder charges in connection with deaths of his three daughters.
Officials have released additional photos and new video they say show a Washington state father who is wanted in connection to the slayings of his three young daughters.
Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference in the killings of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, who were found dead Monday, June 2. Following a more than two-day search for the sisters, Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the siblings' bodies at a remote campground with plastic bags over each of their heads and evidence they had been zip-tied, court papers obtained by USA TODAY revealed.
The tragic findings sparked a manhunt by local, state and federal officials that remained underway, as of June 5.
New photos, video released of Travis Decker
Authorities released new photos and video allegedly showing the suspect, Travis Decker, who remains on the run.
When did the three Washington sisters disappear?
The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the children missing Friday, May 30, police said, after the siblings left their Wenatchee home for a planned visit for their father. Their home is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle.
Washington State Patrol issued a statewide Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the girls on Saturday, May 31. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said.
Police tracked Decker's truck and learned the vehicle had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30.
On Monday, June 2, a Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputy found the Travis Decker's white 2017 GMC Sierra truck near Rock Island Campground, about 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee.
Officials found the girls' bodies during a search near the truck, but their father was nowhere to be found.
Officers searched the area immediately surrounding the vehicle and found the bodies of the three missing girls about 75-100 yards past the vehicle, down a small embankment, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY.
Investigators traced Travis Decker's cell phone, which revealed he had visited the same campground a day prior to the girls' kidnapping, court papers show.
'These girls were true light'
Loved ones of the victims raised more than $800,000 in an online fundraiser to help the sibling's mother, Whitney Decker, as Travis Decker, her ex-husband, remained at large.
"These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces," organizer Amy Edwards, of Wenatchee, wrote on the GoFundMe page.
"I am upping the goal amount of this fundraiser so Whitney can take time off, care for herself and cover the final expenses of the girls without taking a financial hit," Edwards wrote on the page. "Every little bit counts. Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them."
USA TODAY has reached out to Edwards.
Travis Decker well-versed in outdoor survival
Authorities in Washington state said Decker may have scoped out a hiding location before going venturing into the wilderness using outdoor survival skills.
Investigators learned from Decker's father he is well-versed in outdoor survival, a skill that may have assisted his efforts to avoid detection, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said at a June 4 news conference.
In addition to being an outdoorsman, Decker went to mountain survival school and served in the U.S. Army.
How did the Decker sister's die?
The three girls likely died of asphyxiation, court filings reveal.
"Their wrists were also zipped tied or showed signs of being zip tied," according to the affidavit, and each girl was found with a plastic bag over her head.
Travis Decker had exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths, the court filings show.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund
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