The remains of Travis Decker, a Washington state father accused of murdering his three daughters, have been positively identified, according to a statement from Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison during a press conference on Thursday, September 25. Travis Decker had been the focus of a prolonged manhunt after authorities accused him of killing his daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—following a court-approved visit on May 30.
Sheriff Morrison expressed deep sorrow over the tragic events, noting the importance of closing this dark chapter for Chelan County and honoring the victims. “We wanted to show honor to them. Let them know that we never forgot about them,” Morrison stated, in a heartfelt apology to Whitney Decker, the mother of the deceased children. He emphasized that the identification of Decker’s remains provides the much-needed closure for the family and the community.
The discovery of Decker’s remains in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth, Washington, came after a drone spotted a T-shirt that led authorities to the “well-decomposed” body, found less than a mile from where his daughters’ bodies were discovered on June 2. The Chelan County Coroner’s Office is currently working to determine Decker’s exact time and cause of death, a process that might take several months, according to Morrison. However, there are no other suspects in the case.
Despite earlier uncertainties, the U.S. Marshals Service declared Decker deceased before the confirmation by Chelan County authorities. Coroner Wayne Harris insisted on using scientific methods such as DNA for the positive identification, emphasizing the necessity of relying on concrete evidence.
Prior to his disappearance, Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran, was reported to have had mental health issues that contributed to the deterioration of his marriage in 2022. His estranged wife, Whitney, had revised their custody arrangement, limiting Decker’s visitation rights. Despite seeking legal changes, Whitney did not foresee him causing harm to their daughters.
Authorities also revealed that Decker had searched online for ways to relocate to Canada days before his disappearance. Although there were two potential sightings during the search, neither was confirmed.
The tragic conclusion to this case has left a significant emotional impact on the community and all involved. The closure brought by the discovery of Decker’s remains offers some solace, although the loss remains profound.