Latest news with #OliviaDecker
Washington Post
10-07-2025
- Washington Post
Federal authorities end Idaho search for suspect in kids' deaths after finding look-alike hiker
BOISE, Idaho — Federal authorities in Idaho say they have ended a search in the Sawtooth National Forest after determining it was all case of mistaken identity. The search began Saturday after the U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force said a family reported they saw a man who looked like Travis Decker, who is wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters in Washington state. Decker has been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff's deputy in Washington found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters — 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — at a campground outside Leavenworth, Washington. The discovery came three days after he failed to return the girls to their mother's home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit. The family was near a Bear Creek area campsite when they saw a man who was the same height and roughly the same weight as Decker, and also had similar hair, beard and tattoos on his arm and calf. Additional tips followed, and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies joined the Marshals Service in the search. They found the man Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Marshals Service Supervisory Deputy Michael Leigh said in a press release, and determined he was not Decker. 'Investigators interviewed the cooperative man and confirmed he was hiking in the Bear Creek area this past weekend,' Leigh wrote. Authorities in Washington on June 10 said they believed they had spotted Decker, a former soldier, near a remote alpine lake in a popular backpacking area in the Cascade Range. Tracking teams followed up on a tip from hikers who reported seeing a lone hiker who appeared to be ill-prepared for the conditions, but he has not been found. The Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker's capture.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Possible sighting of Washington man wanted in the deaths of his 3 daughters prompts search in Idaho
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal authorities in Idaho are following up on a possible sighting over the weekend of a Washington state man wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters. The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force said it had received a tip Saturday from a family recreating near a camping area in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest that they saw a man whose description was consistent with that of Travis Decker. Decker has been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff's deputy in Washington found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters — 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — at a campground outside Leavenworth, Washington. The discovery came three days after he failed to return the girls to their mother's home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit. Authorities in Washington on June 10 said they believed they'd spotted Decker, a former soldier, near a remote alpine lake in a popular backpacking area in the Cascade Range. Tracking teams followed up on a tip from hikers who reported seeing a lone hiker who appeared to be ill-prepared for the conditions. But he has not been found. Eric Toms, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal with the District of Boise, said the agency was receiving more tips from the public following the statement the task force released Sunday. Toms in an email said the agency was evaluating each tip and that a search team involving the marshals service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Camas County Sheriff's Office set out Monday. He said authorities planned to speak with local residents and people camping or recreating in the area. He said Decker has a history of hitchhiking and encouraged motorists to not pick up any hitchhikers. Toms said search efforts Monday were being conducted by air and on the ground, including by dirt bike. He said he didn't have any additional information to immediately release. The forest area is nearly 600 miles (965 kilometers) from the lake where authorities were searching last month. The Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker's capture.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- CBS News
Fugitive dad, Travis Decker, accused of killing 3 daughters possibly spotted in Idaho forest
Travis Decker, the Washington state man wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters, was possibly spotted in Idaho over the weekend, and federal authorities are following up on the new lead after the father has been missing for over a month. The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force said it had received a tip Saturday from a family recreating near a camping area in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest that they saw a man whose description was consistent with that of Decker. Authorities asked anyone who was in the area over the Fourth of July weekend, specifically in the Bear Creek area in Idaho, to come forward with any tips, CBS affiliate in Seattle KIRO-TV reported. The Bear Creek area is between Sawtooth National Forest and Boise National Forest, about 100 miles east of Boise, Idaho. Decker has been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff's deputy in Washington found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters — 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — at a campground outside Leavenworth, Washington. Authorities found the girls' bodies down an embankment at a campsite in the Cascade Mountains. A man's blood discovered on the tailgate of Decker's vehicle was confirmed to likely be his, with the DNA profile matching the one found on his belongings, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office said last week. The discovery came three days after he failed to return the girls to their mother's home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit. Photos from the Chelan County Sheriff's Office showing how Travis Decker may have changed his appearance. Chelan County Sheriff's Office Last month, investigators said there was no evidence that the father and ex-soldier remained in the area or that he is alive at all. They also released images of what Decker might look like after weeks on the run. Authorities in Washington on June 10 said they believed they'd spotted Decker near a remote alpine lake in a popular backpacking area in the Cascade Range. Tracking teams followed up on a tip from hikers who reported seeing a lone hiker who appeared to be ill-prepared for the conditions. But he has not been found. Eric Toms, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal with the District of Boise, said the agency was receiving more tips from the public following the statement the task force released Sunday. Toms, in an email, said the agency was evaluating each tip and that a search team involving the marshals service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Camas County Sheriff's Office set out Monday. He said authorities planned to speak with residents and people camping or recreating in the area. He said Decker has a history of hitchhiking and encouraged motorists not to pick up any hitchhikers. The Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker's capture.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Bloody handprints found on truck links Travis Decker to murder of 3 daughters
As the manhunt for Travis Decker -- the father accused of killing his three daughters near a Washington state campground -- reaches the one-month mark, DNA found at the scene of the crime now links the murders to the fugitive father, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were killed after they left home for a "planned visitation" with Decker on May 30, and were found dead near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, on June 2, according to police. Decker's vehicle was discovered unoccupied near the girls' bodies, and officials revealed on Tuesday that bloody handprints found on the tailgate of his truck matches the DNA profile "that we believe is Decker's," the sheriff's office said in a press release. With this evidence, officials said they "do not have any reason to believe there are any other suspects." Authorities said they are continuing this multi-agency search for Decker, saying the National Park Service is also planning to send out "swift water search and rescue teams in the near future to conduct more searches of the bodies of water around the crime scene." MORE: Father who killed 3 daughters was 'active dad' but the 'system failed' him, ex-wife's attorney says Drones, cadaver and tracking dogs are also continuing to be used in the search efforts, officials said. The U.S. Marshals Service is also still offering a $20,000 reward for information leading directly to Decker's arrest, the sheriff's office said. "Until he is taken into custody, or recovered, we will continue these efforts. We are extremely grateful for the continued leadership, dedication and support from all of our search teams," the sheriff's office said. At this time, officials said they "do not have an evidence to suggest Mr. Decker is alive, or deceased." Todd McGhee, a law enforcement and security analyst and former Massachusetts state trooper, told ABC News last week he believes Decker is alive. Decker, who is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes, was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts, police said, and a new suspect flyer was released by authorities on June 16. He is currently wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping, police said. Officials said anyone who has any information on Decker or knows of his whereabouts should call 911 immediately. For a timeline of what we know about the murder of the three sisters, click here.
News.com.au
24-06-2025
- News.com.au
Cops call in cadaver dogs in search for fugitive dad
Warning: Distressing content Authorities hunting for Travis Decker, the fugitive Washington father accused of murdering his three young daughters, believe he may be dead — with cops now bringing in cadaver dogs in the search effort. Decker, 32, a military veteran, has been on the run since last month after the bodies of his three daughters Evelyn, 8, Olivia, 5, and Paityn, 9, were found with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties around their wrists near their father's abandoned pick-up truck. 'At this time, there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area,' Kittitas County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Monday night. 'Seemingly strong early leads gave way to less convincing proofs over the last two weeks of searching. 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,' the statement continued, New York Post reported. Authorities are continuing to search for Decker throughout Blewett Pass, Lauderdale, Liberty and Teenaway Valley, the sheriff's office added. Cadaver dogs are now being used by teams in neighbouring Chelan County as the search for Decker enters its fourth week, Sheriff Mike Morrison said on Monday. '(U.S.) Marshals are following up on leads and we continue to conduct joint operations with (nearby) Kittitas County,' Morrison told USA TODAY. 'Additional air operations will take place over the next couple of days, inserting specialised search teams into more inaccessible areas.' A cadaver dog will be deployed this week, Sheriff Morrison added. 'Some search resources are being redirected to find and recover Decker if he died in the rugged wilderness during this intense search,' the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office said in its statement, adding that it is 'a possibility that increases every day.' The update comes after the girls' mother, Whitney Decker, spoke publicly about the loss of her children for the first time last week. 'I truly hope that the legacy of the girls' lives on in everyone's heart forever,' she said at a June 20 memorial service, according to Fox 13 Seattle. 'They were incredible.'
