Travis Decker’s Remains Believed to Be Found After Daughters’ Murders

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The manhunt for Travis Decker may be over.

Authorities announced on September 18th that remains believed to be those of 32-year-old Travis have been found in a secluded wooded area south of Leavenworth, Washington. This discovery likely concludes the search for Travis, who was considered the sole suspect in the deaths of his daughters: Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office believes the remains likely belong to Travis Decker, though official confirmation is still pending. Authorities are actively investigating the scene and have been in touch with the Decker family, offering support and updates. They are requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time.

Additionally, officials shared that DNA analysis will be done to confirm their suspicions.

The lawyer representing Whitney Decker, Travis’s former wife and the mother of their three daughters, also said she hoped the search was finally over.

Arianna Cozart stated on September 18th that they are hoping the discovered remains are confirmed to be Travis. She also expressed gratitude for the work of law enforcement and the overwhelming love and support shown to Whitney from people around the world.

For more than three months, police were searching for Travis, who was suspected of three counts of murder and three counts of kidnapping. The bodies of his daughters were discovered on June 2nd at a campsite in Washington. Their mother had reported them missing three days earlier, on May 30th, when they didn’t return from a scheduled visit with their father.

Investigators found Travis’ white pickup truck at the scene, and it had two bloody handprints on it. His daughters had been tied up with plastic bags over their heads, according to an August 19th press release from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators had previously stated that DNA on the plastic bags matched a U.S. Army veteran, and the medical examiner’s autopsy reports later confirmed the three girls died from lack of oxygen.

When searching for Travis, the sheriff’s office noted he was highly skilled in surviving in the wilderness and could live outdoors for days or weeks with minimal supplies.

Whitney’s attorney stated that Travis dealt with mental health challenges, such as PTSD, and hadn’t been able to get help through programs for veterans.

She explained to ABC News in June that the tragedy wasn’t the fault of the courts, the judge, or Whitney. Instead, she believes the system failed Travis, and if he had received the support he needed, the girls would still be alive. She emphasized that the system itself was responsible.

Keep reading for more about the case…

Travis Decker faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping following the deaths of his daughters, Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5).

Officials said Travis, who had two daughters with his former wife, Whitney Decker, had reportedly been living in a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck, traveling between motels and camping at local campgrounds.

The veteran, who has dealt with mental health issues in the past, was required to manage those issues to maintain time with his daughters. Court documents from September 2024 show he was ordered to complete anger management and attend counseling at least twice a month.

As agreed, Travis could visit his daughters every other weekend. He was scheduled to bring them back to his ex-wife’s home at 8 p.m. on Fridays, 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 5 p.m. on Sundays.

I’ve been following this case so closely, and it’s just heartbreaking. Apparently, Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were last seen on May 30th. Travis picked them up from Whitney’s house – they were supposed to be having a visit, you know? I read it in the court documents filed on June 3rd, and it just makes me sick to think about it.

According to court documents, Whitney stated the interaction had gone smoothly, but Travis, who was struggling with his mental health, seemed unusually quiet – a change in behavior that Whitney noticed.

When Travis didn’t bring the girls back by 8 p.m., Whitney tried reaching him repeatedly before calling the police.

On May 31st, the Wenatchee Police Department announced they were looking for three young girls: Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. Sadly, just three days later, the girls were found dead at the Rock Island Campground near a car abandoned by their parents, Travis and Whitney. The car had two bloody handprints on it.

The Chelan County Medical Examiner determined that the girls died from suffocation and that their deaths were a result of criminal activity.

As someone following this case closely, the details released by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office are truly disturbing. They reported that two of the victims were found with two bags over their heads each, and the third victim had *three*. What’s even more chilling is that investigators also discovered several cable ties near where the bodies were found. It paints a horrifying picture, and I’m hoping for justice for these victims.

The Washington State Crime Lab’s analysis revealed Travis’s DNA on the plastic bags and cable ties, leading investigators to conclude he is the sole suspect in these murders.

As a lifestyle expert who often advises on safety and preparedness, I’m following the news about Travis Decker, who’s missing near the Rock Island campground with concern. Authorities – including local teams, the US Marshals, and even the Washington Army National Guard – are currently searching the forest. Sadly, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office recently shared that, after their investigation so far, they haven’t found anything conclusive to suggest he’s still alive or even in that location. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and I hope for any positive developments.

Initially promising leads weakened over the past two weeks of the search, the statement explained. However, authorities are determined to continue, believing Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice. They also emphasize that Decker is still a threat to the public while he remains a fugitive.

The sheriff’s office stated in August that they still haven’t found Decker and are continuing to search for him.

Whitney shared a heartfelt message about her daughters, describing them as being born with loving and kind spirits.

At the memorial service in June, she told those gathered that they looked beautiful and that Evy would have adored their outfits. She shared that Paityn always made sure to compliment everyone she met – whether at the grocery store, school, or even with her own family – and would have done the same for each person present.

After her divorce from Travis, Whitney made it a habit of asking her daughters to name three feelings they were experiencing each day.

Whitney described Paityn as a constant chatterbox, always excitedly sharing every detail of her day, often interrupting her sisters to do so. With Ev, however, Whitney preferred one-on-one conversations at bedtime, as Ev wasn’t always comfortable sharing her feelings in front of her sisters.

I’ve been chatting with my clients about expressing emotions, and it’s fascinating how tricky it can be! One woman and her daughter were navigating this, and while they were still figuring out the best way to put it, they both agreed that happiness was *always* a core feeling. It’s a lovely reminder to focus on the good, isn’t it?

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office shared that they are shifting their strategy. 

In a statement released on June 23rd, the office said that while they continue to search for the fugitive, they are also working to find Travis’ body, in case he died while in the wilderness. They also stated that the US Marshals are now focusing their efforts on locating Decker if he has left the area.

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2025-09-19 17:17