Latest news with #WenatcheePolice
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Enchantments region closed for deeper Travis Decker investigation
The Brief The Enchantments trail region will be closed until June 18 or further notice as authorities continue their search for Travis Decker. Decker is wanted for the kidnapping and murder of his three children. Authorities encourage the public to avoid the area for their safety. LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - The Enchantments trail region will be closed following investigations into Travis Decker, the father suspected of killing his three daughters in Wenatchee, according to officials. The popular trail and mountain region will be closed until at least June 18 or until further notice as investigators continue the manhunt for Decker, who is wanted by authorities for the kidnapping and murder of his daughters Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9. The backstory Three Wenatchee girls, ages 5, 8 and 9, reported missing since Friday, May 30, were found dead on Monday. The Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an AMBER Alert, but it did not meet the required criteria. On Saturday, Wenatchee Police detectives provided additional information, and an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) was issued. Authorities are searching for Travis Decker, wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in connection with the deaths of his daughters. The girls' bodies were found at Rock Island Campground on June 3, days after they were reported missing, with preliminary examinations suggesting asphyxiation as the cause of death. Decker, described as a former military member with extensive training, should not be approached by the public due to potential risk. A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to Decker's arrest; he is considered dangerous, and law enforcement urges anyone with information to contact the U.S. Marshals or Chelan County Sheriff's Office. What we know Law enforcement agencies are continuing an extensive search for Travis Decker, the man wanted for the kidnapping and murder of his three daughters in Wenatchee. On Wednesday afternoon, aerial and ground operations were underway with additional federal investigators joining the manhunt. Authorities are on site at the Johnny Creek Campground in Leavenworth. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and partner agencies are conducting a large-scale search across Chelan County, including local national forest and wilderness areas. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office has provided two helicopters to assist in the search, and the CCSO Air Support Unit is also conducting air operations in similar areas. A possible sighting of Decker was reported in McCall, Idaho. However, in a later press conference, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said it likely wasn't Decker. What's next Officials strongly encourage the public to avoid the Enchantments area while investigations continue into the search for Decker. Chatter Creek Campground Chatter Creek Trailhead Johnny Creek Campground Eightmile Trailhead Bridge Creek Campground Ida Creek Campground Icicle Creek Trailhead Icicle Group Campground Icicle Gorge Trailhead Eightmile Campground Snow Lakes Trailhead Stuart Lake Trailhead Rock Island Campground Blackpine Horse Camp Icicle Ridge Trailhead Fourth of July Trailhead Blackpine Trailhead This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Source Information in this article is from the United STates Department of Agriculture Forest Service of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Chelan County Sheriff's Office and Chelan County Mountain Rescue. Search intensifies for Travis Decker at Leavenworth, WA campground WA man shot, killed during filming of dog training exercise involving live gunfire 'Belltown Hellcat' testifies in Seattle reckless driving trial—what he said PWHL Seattle lands U.S. hockey legend Hilary Knight as first signing Man found guilty in fatal I-5 crash that killed WA State Patrol trooper To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Tragic cause of death of three sisters found dead at campsite after vanishing with 'killer' father
Authorities in Washington have apparently determined exactly how a homeless father-of-three killed his young daughters as the search for the suspect continues. Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, appeared to have died of asphyxiation, according to a report filed with the Chelan County Superior Court that was obtained by Fox 13. The three sisters had vanished after a three-hour visit with their father Travis Decker, sparking a days-long manhunt before their bodies were located on Monday. Police had swarmed around Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, blocking traffic and sending drivers in the other direction after they found the father's truck at around 3.45pm on Monday. Decker, 32, is now charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, and police say the veteran could 'pose a significant risk if approached' as he has extensive combat training. It is unclear if he is armed. He does not have permanent housing and is known to stay at hotels and campgrounds, police said. His ex-wife, the girls' mother, had been particularly worried because he has 'really struggled since he left the military.' 'His mental health can be hard sometimes,' she told KIRO 7. The Wenatchee Police Department offered their 'sincere and deep heartfelt condolences,' to the family. Authorities found Decker's truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls' bodies were found, but Decker was nowhere to be seen. A SWAT team was called to the campground around 5pm yesterday and the area was shut down between 7pm and 9pm. Travis Decker is described as 5'8" and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes. The girls were last seen alive at their mother's house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit. The visitation was part of their parenting plan, but an alarm was raised after Decker didn't return with the girls on Friday. The girls' mother, Whitney, reported the girls missing at 9:45pm on Friday and police began working to determine where the father and the children were. Authorities found Decker's truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls' bodies were found The girls were last seen alive at their mother's house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit. His ex-wife had been particularly worried because he has 'really struggled since he left the military.' 'His mental health can be hard sometimes,' she said His GMC truck was last spotted on Highway 2 on Friday. The Washington State Patrol was contacted about issuing an AMBER Alert, but none was given as it did not meet criteria, Wenatchee Police Department said. The Endangered and Missing Persons Alert (EMPA) was issued on Saturday after 'additional information' was provided, the police department said. Law enforcement is asking the public for help in finding Decker, but advised locals not to approach him. A GoFundMe was started for the mother-of-three, raising $30,000 in less than a day. '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,' the fundraiser read. 'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them.'
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Authorities are searching for a Washington state father of 3 dead girls
This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows Travis Caleb Decker who the police are asking the public for help in locating the Washington state father who is wanted for murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. (Wenatchee Police Department via AP) A man in central Washington state is wanted for murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. Authorities asked the public Tuesday for help finding Travis Decker, 32, who is wanted for three counts of murder and kidnapping, according to police in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) east of Seattle. Police said it was unknown whether Decker, a former Army soldier with 'extensive training,' was armed. On Friday the mother of the girls, ages 9, 8 and 5, reported that their father did not return them after a planned visit, police said. Over the weekend authorities looked for the children and for Decker, who was believed to be living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup with Washington plates. Decker's unoccupied truck was found Monday near a campground, police said, and officers found the girls' bodies during a search. Anyone who may have seen Decker since Friday or knows his current location was asked to call 911. 'Due to safety concerns do not attempt to contact or approach Decker,' police said. The Wenatchee School District said the girls were students of Lincoln Elementary. Counseling services were available, and the district asked people to respect the privacy of students, staff members and families and come to the campus only for regular school business. It was not known how long the girls were with Decker before their mother contacted police, according to Capt. Brian Chance. 'What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the girls and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical fashion and so this was out of the ordinary,' Chance said. Decker and the girls' mother are divorced, Chance said. He did not have details on how the girls were killed or on Decker's employment. In addition to living out of his truck, Decker is known to occasionally stay in motels, Chance said. Chelan County Sheriff's Office, which found the truck, was leading the search in the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest area while other teams followed up on 'potential credible information and tips' regarding Decker's location, the agency said in a statement. Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, The Associated Press
