LEAVENWORTH, Wash — Authorities in Washington state say they have located human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, the 32-year-old ex-soldier accused of killing his three young daughters earlier this summer. The discovery comes after one of the most extensive and heartbreaking manhunts in recent state history.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thursday that the remains were found in a remote mountainous area outside Leavenworth, the same region where Decker’s abandoned truck — and the bodies of his children — were discovered in June. The site is being processed with the help of the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team, and DNA analysis is expected to provide confirmation in the coming days.
“While positive identification has not yet been confirmed, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker,” officials said in a statement.
A Tragedy That Shook a Community
On June 2, 2025, deputies made a grim discovery at a campground near Leavenworth: the lifeless bodies of Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5) Decker inside their father’s truck.
The girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, had reported them missing after Travis failed to return them following a scheduled visit. Authorities later confirmed the children had been bound with zip ties and suffocated, with plastic bags placed over their heads.
The murders stunned Wenatchee and surrounding communities, triggering an outpouring of grief and support for the family. Candlelight vigils drew hundreds of mourners, with many remembering the sisters for their joyful personalities, close bond, and love for school and play.
Who Was Travis Decker?
Decker served in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2021, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. Trained in survival, navigation, and backcountry living, he had the skills to remain hidden in the wilderness. At one point, he had reportedly lived off-grid in the backwoods for more than two months.
These survival skills complicated the manhunt, which stretched across rugged, mountainous terrain and engaged more than 100 officers and federal agents. Despite a $20,000 reward offered by the U.S. Marshals Service, Decker evaded capture for over three months.
Troubling Warning Signs
Court documents reveal that concerns about Decker’s stability were raised long before the tragedy. In September 2024, his ex-wife filed a petition to modify their custody arrangement, citing his declining mental health and unpredictable behavior.
She noted that Decker was often living out of his truck, and she requested that overnight visits with their daughters be suspended until he secured stable housing.
Sadly, those warnings foreshadowed the horrific events that would follow.
The End of a Painful Search
Authorities said the discovery of Decker’s remains may finally close one chapter of this devastating case. For months, families across Chelan County have lived in fear and heartbreak as the search stretched on.
While officials stressed that DNA testing is required for confirmation, the sheriff’s office acknowledged that this finding brings at least a measure of closure for a community still reeling from the deaths of three innocent children.
Remembering Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia
The three sisters are being remembered as bright, kind, and full of life. Community members continue to honor them through vigils, school memorials, and private remembrances for their grieving mother, Whitney.
Though their lives were tragically cut short, their memory endures as a reminder of the need for vigilance, compassion, and community support in times of crisis.
This story remains developing, and updates will be provided as authorities release more information.
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