Authorities in Washington state have reportedly discovered human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, the prime suspect in the murder of his three young daughters. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that the remains were found in a forested area near Leavenworth. Decker, 32, has been the subject of a manhunt for several months following the tragic discovery of his daughters’ bodies.
The victims, identified as 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia, were found deceased after Decker failed to return them to their mother following a scheduled visitation. The girls were discovered with plastic bags over their heads and their wrists bound with zip ties. The cause of death for all three was determined to be suffocation, and the manner of death was ruled as homicide.
While the identity of the remains has yet to be officially confirmed, preliminary findings suggest they belong to Decker. The search operation that led to the discovery was a collaborative effort involving several agencies, including the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Forest Service, and the FBI.
Last month, authorities revealed that DNA evidence found at the scene where the girls were discovered pointed to Decker as the sole suspect in their murders. Decker, a former military member known for his survivalist skills, had reportedly conducted online searches about escaping to Canada prior to his last visitation with his daughters.
The search for Decker began on May 30 when he did not return his daughters to their mother as scheduled. The subsequent manhunt spanned several counties and states. Decker was charged in absentia with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping in relation to his daughters’ deaths.
Authorities have stated that they will continue to process the scene where the remains were found. As they await confirmation of the identity of the remains, they have requested continued privacy and respect for the family, who have been informed of the discovery.