Travis Decker: Dad Accused of Killing His 3 Daughters Update
Police believe they are close to getting missing father Travis Decker, who is suspected of killing his three daughters. The former U.S. Army soldier is wanted on aggravated murder and kidnapping charges, according to Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. Amid this ongoing manhunt, police hope that Travis Decker will soon run out of supplies and make a move that will lead to his capture by authorities. The manhunt has entered its fourth week, and authorities are not sure that he’s even alive.
Travis Decker Accused of Killing His Three Daughters
In a news conference outside the Chelan County Courthouse, Morrison said, “Every single day Travis Decker is out there, he’s going to have to aim for perfection. He’s not going to be able to make a mistake because all we need is one mistake and one day to go in our favor, and he’s going to be in our custody.”
The search is under the command of the U.S. Border Patrol. The bodies of Decker’s daughters were found outside Leavenworth near an abandoned campsite. The victims’ names were Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5. Morrison had made it a priority to address the media, stating that the girls’ memories drive every officer involved in the investigation and the search for Decker.
Morrison said, “They continue to inspire our agency to seek justice and be their voice. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family.” He added, “We continue to keep in communication with them, make sure we remind them that we haven’t given up.” The Alpine Lakes have reopened to hikers despite the search for Decker and his whereabouts.
“We just understood that what we’re going into is dangerous territory. We need to be a little more safe and cautious of where we’re going, what we are looking for,” said Andrew Powell, a hiker from Oregon. Powell is a part of a group of seven who won the Enchanments lottery. Last week, a planned four-day trip starting with a trek up to Eightmile faced uncertainty when the U.S. Forest Service closed the area due to the Travis Decker investigation.
Decker’s Alleged Whereabouts
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Decker was potentially spotted near Colchuck Lake by helicopter. The report sparked concerns that he could still be in the area. Morrison said, “You will see a change on our tactics as we proceed forward. You’ll not see the amount of resources that we have had out there, but you are seeing a different element of our approach.”
Hikers have been alerted by authorities to be on watch, noting that fugitives on the run have held campsites hostage in the past and stolen supplies for survival. Powell said, “Within the laws and regulations, it’s ok to carry. Not that I want to use it, but it’s always good to have extra safety precautions. Not just be up there and be like, ‘Oh wow, I wish I had this.'” Hikers expressed sympathy for everyone affected by Decker’s crimes.
Although there were some strong leads at the beginning of the month, the tips have unfortunately not been successful. “Still, we can’t and won’t quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice, and Decker remains a danger to the public as long as he’s at large,” per the Sheriff’s office. Whitney Decker, the mom of the murdered girls, spoke out about the tragedy. During a June 20 memorial service, she talked about her three girls.
Final Thoughts
Shawna Coch, who is from Olympia, said, “We’re just really sorry to hear about the family – our hearts do go out to you. We’ll try to be safe, we’ll try to keep our eyes out. We’ll do what we can to support, and we’re just going to be really respectful while we’re up there.” Travis Decker has evaded capture for some time, and officials acknowledge that, as resources are stretched, the manhunt is intensifying.
The public is being asked to provide any information or tips on Travis Decker through the U.S. Marshals Service’s tip line and website. In other news, Los Angeles has been given a curfew following the mass anti-ICE protests in the city. Also, Alex Cooper has publicly accused former coach Nancy Feldman of sexually harassing her when she was at Boston University.
