CHELAN COUNTY, WA — Nearly two months after the brutal murders of three young girls shocked the nation, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that the search for their father and suspected killer, Travis Decker, will continue with a significantly reduced footprint due to a lack of new leads.
Travis Decker, 32, remains at large following the June 2 discovery of his daughters’ bodies—5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 9-year-old Paityn Decker—at Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth, Washington. The girls were found roughly 75 to 100 yards from Decker’s abandoned truck, with disturbing details emerging from the scene: zip ties, plastic bags, and clear signs of suffocation.
Authorities say Decker failed to return the girls to their mother as scheduled on May 30, prompting a missing persons report. What began as a family custody concern quickly spiraled into a high-profile triple homicide investigation.
The Chelan County Medical Examiner confirmed the girls died by suffocation. Investigators later matched a bloody fingerprint found on the truck’s tailgate to Decker through DNA analysis conducted by the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.
On July 1, Decker was officially charged with three counts of aggravated murder and kidnapping. Federal charges for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution followed shortly thereafter. Investigators also revealed that in the days before the murders, Decker had conducted online searches such as “how does a person move to Canada” and “jobs Canada,” suggesting possible plans to flee across the border.
Search Efforts Exhausted—But Not Over
Friday’s press release from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office outlined the sheer scale of the manhunt. Law enforcement and search and rescue teams have scoured the rugged wilderness between Chelan and Kittitas Counties—particularly focusing on the Blewett Pass and Enchantments area. The search involved air assets, swift water teams, tracking and cadaver K9 units, and boots on the ground.
Despite the effort, the trail has gone cold.
“There is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor whether he is deceased,” the sheriff’s office said. “The most recent search area led our teams to the Blewett Pass area, north of the Mineral Springs campground. The potential evidence and intelligence gathered in this area are inconclusive.”
Earlier search efforts extended across state lines into Idaho and Montana, and even involved coordination with Canadian authorities after reported sightings. A widely reported false alarm in Idaho earlier this month occurred when a hiker matching Decker’s description triggered a full-scale search in the Sawtooth National Forest—only for the man to later identify himself to authorities and clear up the confusion.
With bear hunting season approaching, the sheriff’s office is urging anyone venturing into backcountry areas to stay alert.
“We ask those who come across anything suspicious to mark the location using GPS or other means and to take photos if it is safe,” officials said. “Report any suspicious activity or persons immediately by calling 911.”
Reward Offered
The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a $20,000 reward for information that leads directly to Decker’s arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with credible information is urged to contact:
- 911 if Decker is seen—do not approach him
- The U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102
- Or submit a tip online at www.usmarshals.gov/tips
Community Outrage and Calls for Reform
The horrific case has prompted outrage and renewed scrutiny of family court systems that allowed Decker unsupervised visitation despite apparent red flags. Washington lawmakers and victims’ advocates have called for urgent reforms to protect children in custody disputes, citing the Decker case as a tragic example of systemic failure.
As the search winds down in scope, the investigation remains active.
Anyone hoping for justice in this case now looks not to search parties—but to the strength of forensic evidence, public awareness, and perhaps, someone willing to step forward.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this content without permission is prohibited.
