Possible remains of Travis Decker, the suspect in the killing of his three daughters in Washington, have been found
Authorities began searching for Decker in May after the girls' mother reported he didn't return them from a scheduled visit.
The remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, the 32-year-old father accused of murdering his three young daughters near a campground in Washington, were located in a remote wooded area, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.
The remains were found during a search south of Leavenworth, authorities said.
“While identification has not yet been confirmed, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker,” the sheriff’s office said Thursday night.
The scene is still underway, and DNA testing will be conducted to confirm the remains do indeed belong to Decker.
They also indicated that they have been in contact with the Decker family and are providing support and updates as the investigation progresses.
“We are praying that the remains found are confirmed to be Travis’s. We remain grateful for the efforts of law enforcement in this case and are forever grateful for everyone’s love, compassion, and support for Whitney,” said Arianna Cozart, attorney for Whitney Decker, Decker’s ex-wife and mother of the three slain girls.
Decker, an Army veteran, was wanted on three counts of murder in first-degree and three counts of first-degree kidnapping, police said.
His daughters — Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5 — had left home for a scheduled visit with him on May 30 and never returned, authorities said.
The search for Decker began on May 30 after the girls' mother reported that he failed to return them to their home in Wenatchee, Washington, about 100 miles east of Seattle, on time after the scheduled visit.
Three days later, the girls were found dead near Camp Rock Island in Chelan County, Washington. Their wrists were bound with zip ties, and an autopsy determined they died of asphyxiation,According to authorities.
Decker’s pickup truck was recovered at the scene, but he was nowhere to be found, triggering a massive search.
Hundreds of people from dozens of agencies and organizations participated in the search. During the search, multiple possible sightings of Decker were reported to authorities, including two in Idaho—one on June 4 and one on July 5—and one in Washington on August 1.
All three cases were unsuccessful or turned out not to be Decker. Amid the search for the suspect, authorities warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous.