FILE – This undated image from the Wenatchee Police Department depicts Travis Caleb Decker, who was sought in relation to the deaths of his three daughters.
AP/Wenatchee Police Department
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AP/Wenatchee Police Department
WENATCHEE, Wash. – Authorities have verified through forensic analysis that the human remains discovered earlier this month on a secluded mountain in Washington belong to Travis Decker, a former military serviceman who was wanted in connection with the tragic deaths of his three daughters last spring, officials announced Thursday.
The remains were located on a steep, forested incline on Grindstone Mountain in central Washington, less than a mile from the campsite where the bodies of 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker were discovered on June 2, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
After an extensive search lasting over three months, law enforcement officials announced last week that they had found human remains believed to be Decker’s. Sheriff Mike Morrison confirmed Thursday that DNA testing on clothing recovered at the site, along with the remains, conclusively matched Travis Decker.
The sheriff expressed a commitment to bringing closure to the case in honor of the girls and extended an apology to their mother, Whitney Decker, for the prolonged investigation.
“I hope this news brings you some peace, knowing that Travis has been found,” Morrison stated.
Decker had been with his daughters during a scheduled visitation but failed to return them to their mother. Whitney Decker had previously filed a petition citing his deteriorating mental health and increasing instability over the past year.
FILE – A makeshift memorial featuring photos, flowers, and candles was set up on June 3, 2025, in Wenatchee, Washington, to honor Olivia, Paityn, and Evelyn Decker, who were found deceased near Leavenworth after their father, Travis Decker, failed to return them following a scheduled visit.
Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times/AP
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Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times/AP
Whitney Decker revealed in court documents that Travis was frequently living out of his vehicle and sought to limit his overnight visitation rights with the children.
Three days after Travis failed to return the girls, a deputy discovered both his truck and the bodies of the children. Autopsy reports confirmed that the girls died from suffocation.
Travis Decker served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from March 2013 until July 2021, including a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. Authorities noted his expertise in navigation, survival tactics, and other military skills, and that he had previously spent over two months living off the grid in wilderness areas.
More than 100 personnel from various state and federal agencies participated in the extensive search, covering hundreds of square miles of rugged, mountainous terrain by land, air, and water. The U.S. Marshals Service had offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his apprehension.
Early in the manhunt, officials received a tip from hikers who believed they spotted Decker near a secluded alpine lake.
The coroner’s office is continuing its investigation to establish the exact cause and timing of Decker’s death.
