Law Manhunt for Accused Killer Travis Decker Enters Third Week as Authorities Shift Tactics
Law As the search for Travis Decker, the Washington father accused of murdering his three young daughters, approaches its third week, law enforcement officials have begun changing their strategy in response to the challenges of the ongoing manhunt. At a news conference Wednesday evening, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said authorities are moving away from the intensive aerial search methods they initially employed, citing cost and sustainability concerns.
In the early stages of the operation, aircraft and drones were deployed across rugged terrain in a vast area east of Seattle. Morrison told CNN that the use of those resources has already cost more than $2 million—an expense difficult for small and mid-sized counties to sustain.
“Going forward, we’ll still use aerial support when it makes sense,” Morrison said, “but we’re no longer flying National Guard helicopters 12 to 16 hours a day just to search.”
Decker, 32, has not been seen since May 30, when he picked up his daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—for a court-approved three-hour visit. The cause of death was determined to be suffocation, and each had a plastic bag over her head and her wrists bound.
Decker is now charged with three counts of aggravated murder and kidnapping. Federal authorities have added a charge of Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution, and a $20,000 reward has been announced for information leading to his arrest.
“This program brings resources from across the country, including funding and personnel, to support local law enforcement, Border Patrol, and other partners to locate and apprehend the fugitive,” said Chief Jerome Brown of the U.S. Marshals Service’s Eastern District of Washington.
Sheriff Morrison emphasized the need for a coordinated and adaptable approach. “But as time passes and information becomes more scarce, you have to rely on experienced partners who know how to handle these kinds of extended searches.”
On Tuesday evening, investigators received a possible lead when someone matching Decker’s description was spotted in the Blewett Pass area. A hiker reported seeing a man who appeared unprepared for the conditions and was avoiding contact with others. A helicopter team located a lone figure off-trail near Colchuck Lake, who fled as the aircraft passed overhead.
“Tracking teams believe they’re on Decker’s trail,” the sheriff’s office stated. “We still need the community’s help.”
Local detectives continue to lead the murder investigation, and officials stress that some information is being withheld to preserve the integrity of the case.
Evidence recovered from the scene included Decker’s truck, his dog, and many of his personal belongings—found about 75 yards from where the girls’ bodies were discovered. Blood found on the truck included human male and non-human samples. The dog was taken to a local humane society, which declined to release further details due to the ongoing investigation.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has approved emergency funding to support the use of National Guard helicopters in the search effort. However, the operation remains grueling due to the challenging landscape of the Cascade Mountains and Decker’s survivalist background.
Decker, a veteran of the Afghanistan war, has an extensive history with outdoor survival. According to U.S. Marshal Keegan Stanley, Decker has previously lived off-grid for over two months and regularly engaged in hiking, camping, hunting, and survival training.
Investigators also found that, just days before the murders, Decker searched online for information about moving to Canada and finding employment there. The site of the children’s deaths is located just a dozen miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches over 2,600 miles to the Canadian border. From that location, it’s roughly a 200-mile hike north to Canada.
Authorities initially focused their search on the remote areas surrounding the Icicle River, where the children were found. On Monday night, officials announced they had narrowed the search area to the Ingalls Creek region west of Wenatchee, roughly 15 miles southeast of the original campsite through rough terrain.
“This is a complex and emotional investigation,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Court records and statements from Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, provide additional insight into his state of mind. She told investigators that although their May 30 custody exchange went smoothly, Travis was noticeably quiet. She also revealed that he had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a condition marked by emotional instability and impulsivity, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Washington National Guard confirmed Decker was still a member and facing disciplinary action for missing mandatory drills. It is unclear whether he sought mental health services through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Whitney reported the children missing the evening of May 30 when Travis failed to return them. Their custody agreement did not permit overnight stays.
As the manhunt enters its third week, law enforcement remains committed to tracking down Travis Decker—adapting their tactics, coordinating with federal agencies, and relying on community support to bring the accused killer to justice.