Tag: Leavenworth

Man Allegedly Beat Ex, Stole Her Car, Kidnapped Her Kids & Threatened To Kill Them ‘Like Travis Decker’ – Perez Hilton

[ad_1]

[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]

This story from Monroe, Washington will stop you cold, even amid an endless sea of awful things going on in the world.

An unidentified woman contacted police in that city last Friday night claiming her ex-boyfriend [not pictured above (that’s Travis Decker)] assaulted her, stole her car, and sped away into the night… with her kids in tow.

Per People and others, she told officers the man tried to run her over as she rushed back to the house to check on their two children, who are reportedly just seven years old and ten months old. And when she finally made it inside after the altercation over the car, both kids were GONE.

Related: When Did Father Of 3 Murdered Girls Change? Travis Decker’s Brother Speaks Out…

Authorities in Monroe have not released the suspect’s name, so it’s tough to know everything about what’s going on. But the details laid out in subsequent court documents reported on by KOMO News on Monday and other local outlets paint a terrifying picture.

And here’s the worst part: the mother told investigators that her ex allegedly said he was going to be “like Travis Decker.”

Yes, really. Decker, of course, is the Washington father who infamously kidnapped and killed his three daughters earlier this year before taking his own life. That tragedy, still painfully raw for families across the state, happened just sixty miles away from Monroe. So, to hear it invoked in a fresh domestic violence case sent cops into overdrive.

Officers immediately issued a statewide “Be on the Lookout” alert in this case. Doing so mobilized departments far beyond Monroe and enlisted neighboring counties to join the hunt. The fear, of course, was the children could be in imminent danger.

And then, as the Washington State Police worked with Monroe authorities to prepare an Amber Alert, a thread of hope emerged: a call came in from a Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office deputy who had located the missing vehicle. Even more stunning, he had found the father and both children. And they were alive.

Monroe officers traveled to Kittitas County to take custody of the man, and did so without further incident. Thankfully, that brought an intense search to a close before it could end in another unspeakable tragedy. And even more importantly, the children were apparently safe and sound.

According to a police press release, the father was taken to the Snohomish County Corrections Bureau, where he is being held on $200,000 bail. He faces suspicion of two counts of first-degree kidnapping, felony harassment for threats to kill, and second-degree domestic violence assault.

We’re just happy this story didn’t have a much, much worse ending.

If you have sincere cause to suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.

[Image via Wenatchee Police Department]

[ad_2]

Perez Hilton

Source link

November 21, 2025
Human remains in Washington state identified as Travis Decker, wanted for killing his daughters

[ad_1]

Forensic tests confirmed that human remains found on a remote mountain in Washington state this month were those of Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters last spring, officials confirmed Thursday.His remains were discovered on a steep, remote, wooded slope partway up 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 found on June 2, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said.Law enforcement teams had been searching more than three months for Decker, 32, before the sheriff’s office announced last week it had located human remains believed to be his. Sheriff Mike Morrison said Thursday that DNA tests on clothing found at the scene, as well as from the remains, matched Decker.The sheriff said investigators wanted to honor the girls’ memory by solving the case, and he apologized to their mother, Whitney Decker, for it taking so long.“I hope you can rest easier at night knowing that Travis is accounted for,” Morrison said.Decker had been with his daughters on a scheduled visit but failed to bring them back to his former wife, who, a year ag,o said that his mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable.He was often living out of his truck, she said in a petition seeking to restrict him from having overnight visits with them.A deputy found Decker’s truck as well as the girls’ bodies three days after Decker failed to return them to their mother’s house. Autopsies found the girls had been suffocated.Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and deployed to Afghanistan for four months in 2014. He had training in navigation, survival, and other skills, authorities said, and once spent more than two months living in the backwoods off the grid.More than 100 officials with an array of state and federal agencies searched hundreds of square miles, much of it mountainous and remote, by land, water, and air during the on and off search. The U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his capture.At one point early in the search, authorities thought they spotted Decker near a remote alpine lake after receiving a tip from hikers.Officials say the coroner’s office continues to work on determining the cause and time of his death.

(Video above: KING via CNN Newsource) —

Forensic tests confirmed that human remains found on a remote mountain in Washington state this month were those of Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters last spring, officials confirmed Thursday.

His remains were discovered on a steep, remote, wooded slope partway up 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 found on June 2, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said.

Law enforcement teams had been searching more than three months for Decker, 32, before the sheriff’s office announced last week it had located human remains believed to be his. Sheriff Mike Morrison said Thursday that DNA tests on clothing found at the scene, as well as from the remains, matched Decker.

The sheriff said investigators wanted to honor the girls’ memory by solving the case, and he apologized to their mother, Whitney Decker, for it taking so long.

“I hope you can rest easier at night knowing that Travis is accounted for,” Morrison said.

Decker had been with his daughters on a scheduled visit but failed to bring them back to his former wife, who, a year ag,o said that his mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable.

He was often living out of his truck, she said in a petition seeking to restrict him from having overnight visits with them.

A deputy found Decker’s truck as well as the girls’ bodies three days after Decker failed to return them to their mother’s house. Autopsies found the girls had been suffocated.

Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and deployed to Afghanistan for four months in 2014. He had training in navigation, survival, and other skills, authorities said, and once spent more than two months living in the backwoods off the grid.

More than 100 officials with an array of state and federal agencies searched hundreds of square miles, much of it mountainous and remote, by land, water, and air during the on and off search. The U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his capture.

At one point early in the search, authorities thought they spotted Decker near a remote alpine lake after receiving a tip from hikers.

Officials say the coroner’s office continues to work on determining the cause and time of his death.

[ad_2]

Source link

September 25, 2025
How to watch Travis Decker press conference in Leavenworth, WA

[ad_1]

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. – The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is holding a press conference following the discovery of human remains believed to be of Travis Decker.

The body has yet to be positively identified as Decker, with DNA results pending. An announcement is expected around 5 p.m.

Travis Decker (Chelan County Sheriff’s Office)

Travis Decker, who has been missing for months, is accused of kidnapping and killing his three daughters in Central Washington back in May.

Here’s how to watch the Travis Decker press conference live:

When is the Travis Decker press conference?

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office expects to hold the press conference in Leavenworth around 5 p.m.

How to watch the Travis Decker press conference

FOX 13 will air the news conference live on air and online. It’s also available to watch on the FOX Local app and YouTube.

A livestream of the presser can be found on fox13seattle.com, and the full video will be uploaded online and to the FOX 13 Seattle YouTube channel.

The backstory:

Travis Decker is suspected of murdering his three daughters at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Washington, during a planned visitation on May 30.

An AMBER Alert was issued after Decker failed to return the girls, identified as 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker. They were later found dead. Decker’s truck and other personal items were left at the scene, but he was nowhere to be found.

Olivia Evelyn and Paityn Decker (Top) and Travis Decker and his truck, which was traced to the campground where the girls’ bodies were found in June (Bottom)

Law enforcement agencies launched several large-scale searches in the area and in surrounding counties, but did not locate Decker. However, after over three months, authorities believe they discovered Decker’s body in the area of Grindstone Mountain, less than a mile from the crime scene.

FOX 13 Seattle is awaiting an announcement from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. Follow along for the latest information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE

Helicopter crashes with 4 service members aboard in Thurston County

Annual report ranks Seattle-Tacoma among worst airports in US: See the list

Third teen arrested in Renton hate crime assault on transgender woman

Seattle Children’s Hospital plans to lay off 154 workers, cites federal funding cuts

Man accused of murdering girlfriend and roommate in Burien

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

The Source: Information in this story came from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and previous reporting from FOX 13 Seattle.

Travis Decker Chelan County News Crime and Public Safety Leavenworth

[ad_2]

Will.Wixey@fox.com (Will Wixey)

Source link

September 19, 2025
Travis Decker remains found? Everything we know about WA man wanted in killings of daughters

[ad_1]

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. – Authorities say they have found remains they believe are Travis Decker, an ex-soldier wanted in the deaths of his three daughters, in the mountains of Washington state.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Thursday that it was processing the site with the help of the Washington State Patrol crime scene response team. They will follow up with DNA analysis, it said.

“While positive identification has not yet been confirmed, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker,” the statement said.

Decker, 32, has been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff’s deputy found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters — 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — at a campground outside Leavenworth.

Three days earlier he failed to return the girls to their mother’s home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit.

Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and deployed to Afghanistan for four months in 2014. He had training in navigation, survival and other skills, authorities said, and once spent more than two months living in the backwoods off the grid.

More than 100 officials with an array of state and federal agencies searched hundreds of square miles, much of it mountainous and remote, by land, water and air during the on and off search. The U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his capture.

Last September, Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, wrote in a petition to modify their parenting plan that his mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable. He was often living out of his truck, and she sought to restrict him from having overnight visits with their daughters until he found housing.

An autopsy determined the girls’ cause of death to be suffocation, the sheriff’s office said. They had been bound with zip ties and had plastic bags placed over their heads.

Did they find Travis Decker?

Read the latest news about the search for triple murder suspect Travis Decker below:

MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE

Helicopter crashes with 4 service members aboard in Thurston County

Annual report ranks Seattle-Tacoma among worst airports in US: See the list

Third teen arrested in Renton hate crime assault on transgender womanoman

Seattle Children’s Hospital plans to lay off 154 workers, cites federal funding cuts

Man accused of murdering girlfriend and roommate in Burien

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

The Source: Information in this story came from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Seattle, Wenatchee Police Department and US Marshals Service.

Travis Decker Crime and Public Safety News Wenatchee Leavenworth

[ad_2]

FOX.13.Seattle.Digital.Team@fox.com (FOX 13 Seattle Digital Team)

Source link

September 19, 2025
Sheriff: Travis Decker remains found less than 1 mile from WA triple murder scene

[ad_1]

CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. – Law enforcement said late Thursday they found human remains believed to be Travis Decker, an ex-soldier wanted in the deaths of his three daughters.

The discovery less than one mile from the scene of the triple murder comes after an on and off search that lasted months.

Decker has been wanted since June 2, when a deputy found his truck and the girls’ bodies at a campground outside Leavenworth.

Keep reading for FOX 13 Seattle’s interview with Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison on Thursday night just after the news broke that Decker’s remains were believed found near the site of the triple murder.

Sheriff Morrison on human remains found near site of triple murder

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: Authorities in Chelan County believe they found the remains of Travis Decker. He’s accused of kidnapping, then murdering his three young daughters, Peyton, Evelyn and Olivia earlier this summer. According to the sheriff’s office, the human remains were located in a remote wooded area south of the town of Leavenworth. While positive identification has not yet been confirmed, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker. I just finished speaking with Sheriff Mike Morrison. Here is that full interview Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morris and joining me now. Thank you for taking the time to give us the latest on this case. And I think there are many questions that we have right now. Specifically, what led you to this area, where those remains were found? How far is this from the Rock Island Campground?

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: Well, as we mentioned before, the previous searches, we were going to continue to do what we needed to do last week. We had Washington State Patrol and our detectives out this week. We had the U.S. Marshal Service, FBI, Border Patrol. Our detectives continuing to do searches as we promised we would until we find Travis Decker.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: You mentioned that this was an area south of Leavenworth. Had this area not been searched before, I think the last time you and I spoke, you talked about there potentially being another search, a fourth search happening and scheduled for this month. Was this part of that already planned search when you guys found these remains?

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: This was.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: Can you share a little bit about what the state of the remains is given the condition of those remains? Can you tell how long Travis Decker was on the run?

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: We had severe decomposition. We also had a spread of the remains, which is consistent with animals getting into it, which we figured we would find if we were at this point of the search.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: I think I want to ask you again, where exactly and how far were the remains found from the Rock Island campground, specifically where the bodies of Peyton, Evelyn, and Olivia were found?

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: Yeah, and I apologize. My connection is not the greatest. We’re about 0.74 miles away from the initial crime scene. Round around elevation about 4,000 feet. So it was still outside of the initial three search areas that we conducted earlier throughout the summer. And this was just an expansion of the search area.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: So this was not part of the first initial three searches that you conducted with the US Marshals and again with the FBI.

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: This was just an expansion. Initially, we did the first one Washington State Patrol’s crime lab and also with our detectives. The second one was with the US Marshal service and volunteers and some of our force service deputies along with other volunteers, and then our final ones with the FBI and, of course, the US Army’s intelligence agency.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: Some of the information that you guys have already been sharing online is that preliminary information leads you to believe that this is in fact Travis Decker. What is the certainty of that? What indicators did you guys find?

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: We won’t know for sure until tomorrow. I’ve already worked with our detectives in the Washington State Patrol’s crime lab. We’re going to rush some results over there. We’re asking to see if we can get DNA returns by the end of tomorrow. But we do feel pretty confident that there’s a high probability this is him. Just based off the clothing, some of the personal items we found on scene. But again, we’re not gonna say for 100% certainty until we get the results back.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: Is there anything that may imply what the motive was in this case for the kidnapping and the murder of his three young daughters?

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: Same as I said before, it’s irrelevant. It was a heinous act. We’re certainly continuing to keep Peyton, Evelyn, and Olivia in our thoughts and prayers. That’s what’s been motivating us up to this point. Already been in touch with Whitney and her family, letting her know that we had made the find today. And they knew that we weren’t giving up. We encouraged our community to continue to support us. And we understand people’s frustration, but again, it just wasn’t on our DNA. We continue to do the search, and this is why you continue to it.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: I want to ask, we’ve talked time and time again about how vast and dense, and especially how popular this area is for many people, not just locals, but tourists as well. Chelan County has great acreage, people who come out for recreational purposes. Is there going to be any impact now that these remains have been found?

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: Yes, for the time being, we’ve got road closures in place. We have our units on the ground in addition to our federal partners that are also assisting us, and we’ll continue to process it fully and completely. The criminal investigation is still our primary focus. We’ve been in touch with our prosecutor’s office already today and some of our neighboring agencies and partnering agencies is advising on all of our discovery, and we will continue to do what we need to do to ensure this is handled appropriately and properly. But again, we didn’t give up, and we’re glad with the results we’ve found so far and, hopefully, we get some closure tomorrow.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: Do you know what the next couple days will look like? I know that this has got to be giving you and not just Whitney, the family, but the entire community of Wenatchee and Chelan County some sense of closure.

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: It’s getting us one step closer. We’ve been looking to serve justice for a while and for the law to prevail. And if we get the results we’re looking for tomorrow, I believe those are results we’ll find.

Alejandra Guzman, FOX 13 Seattle: Thank you so much, Sheriff. I appreciate you taking the time to break down the latest on this Travis Decker investigation.

Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County: Thanks. I appreciate it. Have a good evening.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE

Helicopter crashes with 4 service members aboard in Thurston County

Annual report ranks Seattle-Tacoma among worst airports in US: See the list

Third teen arrested in Renton hate crime assault on transgender woman

Seattle Children’s Hospital plans to lay off 154 workers, cites federal funding cuts

Man accused of murdering girlfriend and roommate in Burien

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

The Source: Information in this story came from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Seattle, Wenatchee Police Department and US Marshals Service.

Travis Decker Crime and Public Safety News Wenatchee Leavenworth

[ad_2]

Alejandra.Guzman@fox.com (Alejandra Guzman)

Source link

September 19, 2025
Body of WA triple-murder suspect Travis Decker found, authorities say

[ad_1]

CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. – Travis Decker, the man wanted in the kidnappings and murders of his three daughters, has been found dead.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press release Thursday that human remains were found in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth, believed to be the body of Travis Decker. The remains were located less than a mile from the original crime scene.

While the body has not yet been positively identified, authorities say clothing and other personal items found in the area suggest the remains belong to Decker. The scene is currently being processed, with DNA analysis to follow.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said the discovery of the remains was a result of another routine grid-by-grid search this week. The sheriff added that the body showed signs of severe decomposition, but expects DNA results from the coroner’s office as soon as Friday.

The search included multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, FBI, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

The backstory:

Decker is accused of killing his three daughters, 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Paityn, during a planned visitation on May 30, 2025.

The three girls were located on June 3, days after being reported missing. Their bodies were found at the Rock Island Campground, located west of Leavenworth, Washington.

Decker’s vehicle was nearby with two bloody handprints, and had personal items such as blankets, food, car seats and a wallet on the center console. The camp showed signs of recent activity, with a tent and cooler located a short distance away.

The search for Travis Decker

Big picture view:

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. National Guard, worked together in the search for Decker. The search began near Leavenworth, Washington, and expanded across remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas, King, Snohomish and Okanogan counties.

Authorities across Washington pursued multiple leads during the search, however none resulted in the location of Decker. The most notable lead came during a multi-day search near the Rock Island Campground headed by the FBI, where crews found bones during the operation. However, they turned out to be animal remains.

(Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest. Decker was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

What’s next:

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office will provide updates as more information becomes available through forensic examination and investigation.

The Source: Information in this story comes from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, and original reporting and previous coverage from FOX 13 Seattle.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE

Helicopter crashes with 4 service members aboard in Thurston County

Annual report ranks Seattle-Tacoma among worst airports in US: See the list

Third teen arrested in Renton hate crime assault on transgender womanoman

Seattle Children’s Hospital plans to lay off 154 workers, cites federal funding cuts

Man accused of murdering girlfriend and roommate in Burien

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

Travis Decker Wenatchee Crime and Public Safety News Chelan County Leavenworth

[ad_2]

FOX.13.Seattle.Digital.Team@fox.com (FOX 13 Seattle Digital Team)

Source link

September 18, 2025
Travis Decker search in Leavenworth, WA to cause more road, campground closures

[ad_1]

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. – Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told FOX 13 Seattle that further closures of campgrounds and trails are expected as law enforcement continues to search for additional evidence in the manhunt for Travis Decker, the main suspect in the murders of his three children.

Morrison explained that search efforts have been methodical and will continue to expand in the coming months.

Planned search operations to cause further closures

What we know:

Morrison confirmed that a two-day search had recently concluded, and several items of interest were collected and sent to a crime lab for analysis.

Bones that were found have been sent to Central Washington University’s anthropology department for testing. The sheriff stated that if the evidence collected necessitates more searching, law enforcement will respond accordingly.

“We’ve just continued to expand out and grid search the areas around the campsite,” Morrison said.

Search for Travis Decker continues with new resources

Federal, state, and local law enforcement have closed several campgrounds near Leavenworth for a two-day “boots on the ground” search for Travis Decker, the father wanted for the May murder of his three young daughters.

The sheriff revealed that another search is planned for September with federal partners.

The last search, which involved more than 100 FBI agents, covered more than 247 acres in an oval-shaped grid. Morrison said this expands significantly on the initial quarter-mile search grid.

He acknowledged that the search operations, which are expected to continue in the general area of the initial crime scene, will be an inconvenience for people who recreate in the area. However, he emphasized that the priority is the victims—Peyton, Evelyn, and Olivia.

“A lot of individuals are just going to have to deal with that inconvenience because justice for them is more important than anything right now.”

This photo provided by FBI Seattle shows several law enforcement agencies participating in the search for Travis Decker, who was charged with murder and kidnapping, at Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth, WA on Monday, August 25, 2025. (FBI via AP)

The challenges of searching in a vast landscape

Big picture view:

Morrison addressed the public’s concern over the time it has taken to search the area thoroughly, explaining the massive scale of the operation. He said the potential scene spans “hundreds upon hundreds of square miles,” and law enforcement simply doesn’t have the resources or manpower to cover the entire area at once.

“We do know that next month, we have another plan to go out with another one of our federal partners, and we’re going to expand out on that search,” Morrison said.

He added that the team is documenting all search efforts with digital mapping and GPS coordinates for items of interest, so any future investigative teams can pick up where they left off.

Hopes for closure, community support

What they’re saying:

The sheriff spoke about the discovery of potential remains, explaining that due to factors like wildlife and environmental exposure, it’s rare to find a complete skeleton. He referenced past cases, like a Green River Killer victim found only by a femur and a local homicide case where a dog brought a hand back to its owner, leading investigators to the rest of the victim’s remains.

“We recognize that the potential is it’s not going to be a full skeleton,” Morrison said. “If we were to find one, there’s going to be bits and pieces, because wildlife does spread remains around.”

Morrison expressed his gratitude to the detectives, federal partners, and US Forest Service deputies on the ground.

He also shared a message for the community, especially the friends and families of the victims. He acknowledged that the start of the school year must be difficult for those who knew the children.

“We just hope that, you know, the school year allows them to kind of transition back into life, but we recognize it’s never going to be the same without those three,” Morrison said. “We really just encourage our community to lean into one another, continue to support each other and to their family. Just know that you know you’re not alone. We haven’t given up, and we’re going to do our best to bring closure and justice to this case.”

How to support Whitney Decker

What you can do:

A GoFundMe has been set up for Whitney Decker, the mother of the victims, to help support her in covering expenses of the case and allow her to take time off without worrying about a financial hit.

Whitney Decker at a Wenatchee memorial service for her three daughters on June 20, 2025.

The GoFundMe campaign has achieved more than 27,000 donations, and has raised more than $1.2 million.

Anyone with information on Decker’s whereabouts is urged to call the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit tips online at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

The Source: Information in this story came from Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison and FBI Seattle.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Washingtonians among 19 charged in major drug operation tied to Sinaloa cartel

WA Border Patrol agents arrest 2 firefighters battling Bear Gulch Fire

Teen arrested after bringing gun to Graham-Kapowsin High School in WA

19-year-old accused of trying to kidnap bikini barista in Lakewood

Seattle Seahawks drop team’s ‘Rivalries’ uniform

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

Travis Decker Leavenworth News

[ad_2]

Tyler.Slauson@fox.com (Tyler Slauson)

Source link

August 29, 2025
Bones found during FBI’s Travis Decker search in WA forest

[ad_1]

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The FBI reportedly found bones while searching for Travis Decker in a large area of the Leavenworth forest, sources tell FOX 13.

What we know:

A multi-day shutdown near the Rock Island Campground resulted in the recovery of possible evidence in the case of Travis Decker, who is accused of killing his three daughters at the same site several months ago.

One of the recovered pieces of evidence included bones, according to the Wenatchee World.

“[Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison], he shared that the FBI found bones in the 200-mile-acre area they searched near the Rock Island Campground off Icicle Road near Leavenworth,” said Jenni Rodas with the Wenatchee World.

FBI searches for Travis Decker near Rock Island Campground (via FBI)

Rodas told FOX 13 Seattle that detectives aren’t sure whether the bones found this week belong to an animal or human. They will undergo testing at the Washington state crime lab.

“According to Morrison, earlier in the search, they found remains of what appear to be an overdose victim,” Rodas said.

Dig deeper:

Additionally, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison also said he expects the FBI to conduct more searches in the area in September.

The FBI has yet to specify what items were recovered during the operation, which covered more than 1 million square meters of dense terrain.

Travis Decker is wanted in the deaths of his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5. The girls were found dead at the Rock Island Campground on June 1, and authorities have been searching for Decker ever since.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker’s arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous.

The Source: Information in this story came from the Wenatchee Wold, FBI Seattle, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Washingtonians among 19 charged in major drug operation tied to Sinaloa cartel

WA Border Patrol agents arrest 2 firefighters battling Bear Gulch Fire

Teen arrested after bringing gun to Graham-Kapowsin High School in WA

19-year-old accused of trying to kidnap bikini barista in Lakewood

Seattle Seahawks drop team’s ‘Rivalries’ uniform

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

Travis Decker Leavenworth News

[ad_2]

Will.Wixey@fox.com (Will Wixey)

Source link

August 29, 2025
FBI Bushwhacks In Washington Forest For Traces Of Travis Decker, Wanted In Deaths Of 3 Daughters – KXL

[ad_1]

This photo provided by FBI Seattle shows a closed road to Rock Island Campground where multiple law enforcement agencies are participating in the search for Travis Decker, who was charged with murder and kidnapping, near Leavenworth, Wa. on Monday, August 25, 2025. (FBI via AP)

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) — The FBI on Monday launched an intensive two-day search for clues to the whereabouts of Travis Decker near the Washington state campground where his three young daughters were found dead in early June.

But authorities stressed that there had been no break in the case and they still haven’t determined whether Decker is still alive.

Decker, a former soldier, has been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff’s deputy found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters — 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — at the Rock Island Campground in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

The discovery came three days after he failed to return the girls to their mother’s home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit.

Authorities closed popular campgrounds and trailheads in the forest near Leavenworth as close to 100 FBI agents and other law enforcement officers bushwhacked through rugged terrain. Divers planned to again search Icicle Creek in an effort to reach areas where logjams had previously barred dive teams, they said.

During a news conference Monday, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison and Peter Orth, the FBI’s supervisory senior resident agent in Yakima, stressed that investigators still have no evidence about whether Decker is alive or dead.

“You can’t be too thorough in a search like this,” Orth said. “It is such incredibly dense vegetation that anybody who walks down one of these trails could walk 10 meters off the trail and no one would ever know they’re there.”

Teams were conducting a grid search in a quarter-mile (0.4 km) radius around the campground, they said.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker’s capture.

More about:

[ad_2]

Jordan Vawter

Source link

August 25, 2025
Travis Decker manhunt: Law enforcement provide update on WA search

[ad_1]

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. – Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Seattle field office joined Chelan County law enforcement for a press conference in Leavenworth, Washington on Monday amid the ongoing search for triple-murder suspect Travis Decker.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Monday afternoon confirming Decker remains a wanted figure as FBI agents initiate a search at Rock Island Campground beginning Monday that will stretch into Tuesday, Aug. 26. However, the search is in difficult terrain.

The FBI hopes to find evidence of Decker’s location, or signs that would tell them if he is dead or alive. There are roughly 100 FBI and partner agency personnel on the ground to participate in the grid search operation happening over the next two days.

The search will be conducted during daylight hours, with nighttime personnel on site to secure the scene. There will be electronic and visual documentation of what has been searched so that future legal or law enforcement teams have more comprehensive knowledge of what has been covered and the ability to build a stronger court case if needed, according to the Seattle field office of the FBI.

What they’re saying:

“The areas being searched are extremely challenging with steep hillsides, dense brush, minimal cell service, and unpredictable conditions. Over the past three months, investigative teams, led by your Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit, have pursued every lead and searched vast, remote areas in the hope of locating Travis Decker or any evidence that might bring us closer to answers,” reads a portion of the statement from CCSO.

“At this time, no conclusive evidence has been found to indicate whether Travis Decker is alive or deceased. We continue to follow every credible lead. While this latest operation may or may not yield new findings, our promise is that we will not stop until we have exhausted every possible avenue to find him and to bring closure to this case,” the statement continues, in part.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison speaks at FBI press conference in Leavenworth on Aug. 25, 2025 as dozens of law enforcement agencies work on the ground to examine Rock Island Campground and nearby sites

FBI closes Rock Island Campground

Beginning on Sunday, Aug. 24, federal investigators authorized a closure of an area in Leavenworth including trails and campgrounds near the site where law enforcement found Decker’s three young daughters dead in June. The closure is in effect until Wednesday, Aug. 27.

When asked why this site was being targeted specifically, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison says following a thorough initial search, there is still more to gain from returning with more technology and more personnel to gain a deeper understanding of the scene for posterity.

Other law enforcement leaders stressed the importance of conducting due diligence to document as much as possible before evidence erodes.

Olivia Evelyn and Paityn Decker (Top) and Travis Decker and his truck, which was traced to the campground where the girls’ bodies were found in June (Bottom)

Why are the authorities searching for Travis Decker?

Decker, 36, is wanted in connection with the deaths of his daughters, whose bodies were found at Rock Island Campground.

While the search has been ongoing for nearly three months, authorities say they have no evidence to suggest if he is “either alive or deceased” and that his whereabouts remain unknown.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office recently released new forensic evidence from the scene, which reportedly linked Decker’s DNA to the plastic bags and cable ties found with the victims. The FBI confirmed its involvement in the new closures, which were requested for a temporary investigation from August 24–27.

Who is Whitney Decker?

Dig deeper:

Whitney Decker, the mother to Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, and ex-wife of Travis Decker, held a memorial service for her three young daughters.

It was her first public appearance following the murders of her children. The Wenatchee service included family traditions, community speakers, and a dress code containing the girls’ favorite colors.

How to send in tips about Travis Decker

What you can do:

Anyone with information about Decker’s whereabouts is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals Service or call 911 immediately.

Tips can also be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102 or online.

The Source: Information in this story came from FBI Seattle and original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Alaska Airlines to launch flights to London, Reykjavik from Seattle

PSE warns of power shutoffs as WA wildfires surge

Hundreds attend vigil for man shot, killed outside Seattle church

Titan disaster that killed 5 on way to Titanic was ‘preventable,’ Coast Guard says

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes addresses recent gun violence

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.

Travis Decker Crime and Public Safety Leavenworth News

[ad_2]

Ramsey.Pfeffinger@fox.com (Ramsey Pfeffinger)

Source link

August 25, 2025