After three months of a manhunt for the 32-year-old former Army Veteran, Travis Decker, the FBI has stepped in and launched an intensive two-day search. Decker allegedly murdered his three daughters on a campsite in Leavenworth, Washington, before fleeing into hiding. The FBI began their search on Monday, August 25, to search for clues near the crime scene that may indicate where he has gone. Officials say they are trying to be “abundantly thorough” by closing surrounding roads, trails, and campgrounds.
During a press conference on Monday, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said, “We will not relent. We will not give up.” Even though three months have passed and it seems like Decker may never be found, Morrison reiterated that “The girls would not want us to give up.” An order was posted over the weekend, and the U.S. Forest Service confirmed that the Rock Island Campground and two others will be closed for the FBI to conduct a more thorough investigation.
Three Lives Lost
Travis Decker has been on the run since June 2, when his three young daughters’ bodies were found near a Washington state campground. Authorities have been upfront that there has not been a break in the case, and they are unsure if Decker is still alive. Morrison said that if he is alive, he is probably “pretty tired by now.” Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found along with their dad’s truck at the Rock Island Campground in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest by a sheriff’s deputy. Their bodies were found three days after they failed to return to their mother’s home in Wenatchee, just east of Seattle.
Investigation
Roughly 100 FBI agents and other law enforcement officers closed campgrounds and trailheads, and bushwhacked through the forest. They plan to have divers search Icicle Creek in an attempt to reach areas that logjams may have previously blocked. During the press conference, Morrison emphasized that although there has been no break in the case, law enforcement is continuing to search for any evidence that might indicate the whereabouts of Decker. He said they are conducting a grid search in a quarter-mile radius from where the girls were found.
The surrounding area closures took effect Sunday morning and will continue until approximately 6 a.m. on Wednesday. The Forest Service has provided a list of roads and trailheads that are currently closed to the public, but officials warn that the closures may be extended until the end of the week. Morrison said, “We want to bring closure. We want to bring answers,” and that is why they are finally shutting things down to conduct a proper investigation. Some may consider it too late, with too much time having passed. He continued, “If it’s not me wearing this uniform, it’s another Chelan County Sheriff. We will find him, in one fashion or another.”
This closure comes days after the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they found DNA evidence at the crime scene indicating Decker is the sole suspect. Officials have been searching for several weeks and have passed on information to other authorities, who acknowledge that this could take years. Morrison was optimistic during his press conference, stating, “He’s got to be perfect every single day; we just have to be perfect once.”
Capturing Travis Decker
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for any information that leads to Decker’s capture. Officials warned the public that he should be considered armed and dangerous. They also urge anyone who sees him or knows where he is hiding to call 911 immediately. Do not approach him, as he is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
