Authorities issues major update on police hunt for father accused of killing his three daughters

The manhunt continues for Travis Decker, suspected of murdering his three daughters in early June.

Authorities have now issued an update on the case and will be closing the site where 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia were found.

Died from asphyxiation

A massive manhunt continues for Travis Decker, the father of three young girls found dead in Washington State earlier this summer.

Whitney Decker, his ex-wife, reported her daughters missing on May 30 after Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9, failed to return home from a court-ordered visit with their father in Wenatchee.

Authorities confirmed the girls’ bodies were discovered on June 2 at Rock Island Campground, roughly 40 miles from their intended drop-off location.

Investigators determined all three died from asphyxiation, and DNA evidence links Decker, a former Army soldier, to the crime scene. He is now wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

New update

In an effort to find further evidence, the FBI has taken the lead on an ongoing search at the campground. On Monday, August 25, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office shared an update, confirming that the FBI is spearheading the search for additional evidence.

Chelan County Sheriff Michael Morrison stated, ”Beginning today, Monday, August 25, through Tuesday, August 26, the FBI Seattle Office will be leading federal, state, and local agencies in conducting a coordinated search near Rock Island Campground outside of Leavenworth, Washington.”

“This targeted effort will again cover rugged and heavily forested terrain within U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land. The areas being searched are extremely challenging with steep hillsides, dense brush, minimal cell service, and unpredictable conditions,” Morrison said.

“At this time, no conclusive evidence has been found to indicate whether Travis Decker is alive or deceased,” he added.

Justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia

Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Peter Orth explained that nearly 100 personnel from the FBI and partner agencies are combing the area, hoping to uncover clues that could lead to Decker or additional information about the murders.

“The goal is to seek justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia,” Orth said at a press conference. “We want answers for their family, friends, and the community, and hope to provide some measure of closure.”

Investigators has also revealed chilling details from the crime scene: two of the girls were found with two plastic bags over their heads, the third with three, and several cable ties were nearby. DNA testing confirmed Decker’s profile on both the plastic bags and cable ties.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison acknowledged the difficulty of the investigation. “We understand the frustration. It’s been three months. We would love to have Travis Decker in custody and facing a judge,” he said, urging the public to remain vigilant.

The sheriff’s office official noted that the past 12 weeks of searching, led by the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit, have been “painstaking and difficult” as investigators have worked to uncover answers.