Travis Decker Manhunt: Idaho Search Called Off Over Mistaken Identity

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Officials have suspended one search for Travis Decker, as onlookers mistakenly identified another individual as the suspect.

In the midst of an ongoing manhunt for a Washington resident suspected of killing his three daughters aged 9 (Paityn), 8 (Evelyn), and 5 (Olivia), authorities have received information that a family vacationing in Bear Creek, Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest may have encountered someone who looks like the 32-year-old individual, as stated in a July 6 news release obtained by People.

Nevertheless, Supervisory Deputy Michael Leigh from the U.S. Marshals Service clarified to the media outlet that the person in question was not Decker.

According to a statement from the U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force, which was reported by People on July 9, they found a man matching the description of Travis Decker, who multiple witnesses saw at the Sawtooth National Forest. This individual is similar in height and weight to Decker, has dark features, a beard, and tattoos on his arm and calf.

The investigators also talked to a helpful individual who had been hiking in the Bear Creek region over the weekend, and they verified that account.

Following the determination that the resemblance wasn’t Decker, authorities expressed gratitude for the public’s help and announced the termination of that particular investigation.

Currently, the search for Decker in the Sawtooth National Forest has been discontinued, and law enforcement is now in the process of withdrawing their assets.

I’ve been closely following the ongoing nationwide search for the military veteran, who is facing charges of kidnapping in the first degree, as reported by the Wenatchee Police Department. On May 30th, Whitney Decker, a woman I know, filed a civil complaint stating that her ex-husband had failed to return their daughters after an agreed visitation. This incident has been troubling me deeply, and I hope for a swift resolution in this case.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share the latest update regarding Mr. Decker. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) stated on their Facebook page in July that they haven’t found any proof to confirm whether he’s alive or not. They are persistently working to locate him, be it by apprehension or recovery. I’m heartened to say that the unwavering leadership, commitment, and backing from all our search teams is truly inspiring.

 

On the 2nd of June, the bodies of the girls were found near their father’s truck at a campsite in Leavenworth, Washington. The press release from the CCSO on July 9th confirmed that they died due to asphyxiation and the manner of their deaths was classified as homicide.

 

Based on Decker’s questionable web inquiries about moving to Canada and fresh DNA findings from the crime scene matching a single, male individual, as stated by the CCSO, law enforcement officials think they have no need to seek out any further suspects.

 

Keep reading for more about the case. 

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) stated on their Facebook post on July 1 that there is currently no proof to confirm whether Mr. Decker is living or dead. Until he is apprehended or found, the search will continue. We deeply appreciate the ongoing guidance, commitment, and support from all our search teams during this time.

On the 2nd of June, the bodies of the girls were found by their father’s truck at a campsite in Leavenworth, Washington. An official statement from the CCSO on July 9th revealed that their cause of death was suffocation and the manner of death was homicide.

Based on Decker’s questionable web inquiries about moving to Canada and fresh DNA findings at the crime scene matching a single, male individual, as per CCSO, it appears that investigators do not expect to find any other possible culprits.

Keep reading for more about the case. 

Travis Decker faces accusations for three counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree kidnapping following the alleged homicides of his daughters, Paityn (age 9), Evelyn (age 8), and Olivia (age 5).

It was disclosed that Travis, who had children with his former partner Whitney Decker, was thought to be residing in a 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck, as well as different motels and campsites.

As a devoted father and ex-soldier grappling with mental health challenges, I’ve been directed to keep these issues in check if I wish to spend precious moments with my daughters. In a temporary parenting plan from September 2024 that NBC News has acquired, the court mandated me to enroll in an anger management course and attend individual therapy sessions at least every two weeks.

According to the arrangement, Travis has visitation rights every other weekend. He should bring his daughters over at 8 p.m. on Friday evenings, 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 5 p.m. on Sundays, which is when he hands them back to his ex-wife.

As I shared in my previous update, on the 30th of May, I was the one who took Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia out following our arranged visitation at Whitney’s residence. This information is based on an affidavit that was filed on June 3rd in Chelan County Superior Court.

According to the documents, Whitney claimed that the transaction proceeded smoothly, but Travis, whom Whitney mentioned was dealing with mental health problems, seemed unusually quiet, which was unlike his typical behavior.

Once Travis didn’t show up with the girls by 8 p.m., Whitney made several attempts to reach out to her former partner, eventually deciding to call the authorities instead.

On May 31, the Wenatchee Police Department announced they were looking for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. But, by June 3, the department confirmed that Travis and Whitney’s three daughters were tragically discovered dead at the Rock Island Campground, close to an abandoned car belonging to Travis which had two bloodstained handprints on it.

The initial investigation by the Chelan County Coroner determined that their deaths were due to suffocation.

Officials from local authorities, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the Washington Army National Guard are currently conducting a search for an individual named Travis, who went missing in a forest close to the Rock Island campground as stated by Chelan County officials. Although the search is ongoing, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a press release on June 23 that there’s no definitive proof that another person named Decker is still alive or present in this location.

Initially promising leads appeared weaker over the past fortnight, leading to less solid evidence. Regardless, our pursuit won’t falter; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice, and as long as Decker remains at large, he continues to pose a threat to public safety.

Whitney publicly expressed a touching homage to her daughters, describing them as individuals who entered the world with generous hearts and a compassionate spirit.

At the June 20 memorial service, she addressed the crowd, saying, “Everyone here looks stunning, I can just imagine Evy admiring all your fashion choices,” further mentioning that Paityn would have praised “each and every one of you … She always did that, whether it was in a grocery store, at school, or with me.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve found myself reflecting on a practice that Whitney implemented post-divorce – checking in with my children daily about their emotional state. Each evening, I ask them to share the three feelings they experienced throughout the day. This simple exercise not only fosters open communication but also helps me understand and support them better.

As for Paityn, she never failed to have more than three things to share about her day, and Whitney found herself often listening to every detail. She was so eager to keep me informed that she would frequently interrupt her siblings just to do so. On the other hand, Ev would confide in me privately at bedtime, as she wasn’t always comfortable sharing her feelings with her sisters during the day.

Simultaneously, she and Olivia were still figuring out the best way to express her emotions, yet one thing remained constant – she was consistently joyful.

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

The office communicated on June 23 that they will persist in searching for the runaway individual, while simultaneously focusing efforts on locating Travis’ remains should he perish in the wilderness. Simultaneously, the office mentioned that the U.S. Marshals have redirected their manhunt resources towards finding Decker if he has left our vicinity.

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2025-07-11 04:47