4 days ago
BREAKING NEWS Manhunt for 'killer dad' Travis Decker narrows in on remote mountain trail after tip off from hikers
The search for a father-of-three accused of killing his daughters has narrowed in on a remote mountain trail after hikers tipped off police.
Travis Decker, 32, is accused of killing his daughters, Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, whose bodies were found at a campsite in Leavenworth, after he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following a scheduled three-hour visit.
A tip from hikers has given police new hope in honing in on finding Decker alive after witnesses reported spotting a lone person who appeared to be ill-prepared for the conditions.
The Chelan County Sheriff's office said Tuesday that tracking teams responded immediately, and a helicopter crew spotted an off-trail hiker on their own near Colchuk Lake, in a popular Cascade Range backpacking area called The Enchantments.
As authorities search for Decker, who is believed to be mentally unstable, they warned locals that he could be dangerous due to his military back.
'Residents and visitors are urged to secure homes and vehicles, remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activity to 911,' an alert said.
'A heightened law enforcement presence will persist as a precautionary measure.'
Decker joined the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, communications director for the the Washington Military Department, confirmed to the Daily Mail.
He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time.
Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge.
He likely has advanced combat training and was an airborne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have excellent wilderness and survival skills, Fox 13 Seattle reported, citing social media posts.
It is unknown if the veteran is currently armed, but local law enforcement cautioned people from approaching him.
Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday evening after finding Decker's truck.
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from the truck. Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said.
Decker's truck also had two bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal items including blankets, food, car seats and a wallet on the center console.
The campground also showed signs of recent activity, with a tent and a cooler located a short distance away, but Decker was nowhere to be found.
The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, who is divorced from the veteran, told police that he had picked the girls up around 5pm but had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court documents said.
Detectives said she 'expressed concern because Decker reportedly has never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues.'
