This photo, shared earlier by Wenatchee Police, shows Travis Caleb Decker, who is being sought in the case involving the deaths of his three daughters. AP Photo
In the mountains near Grindstone Mountain, authorities believe they found skeletal remains possibly belonging to Travis Decker. Decker faces charges in the deaths of his three daughters. Investigators are using DNA to confirm identity.
Early Signs Point Toward Decker
Officials said preliminary evidence suggests the remains are Decker’s. They noted they need forensic testing before making any final statements. The location lies close to where investigators found Decker’s truck and his daughters’ bodies in early June.
The Tragic Timeline
On June 2, deputies discovered the bodies of Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5) at a campground outside Leavenworth. Authorities also located Decker’s abandoned vehicle nearby. He missed his court‑scheduled return of the children to their mother a few days earlier. Medical examination showed the girls lost life through suffocation.
Decker’s Background
Travis Decker, 32, served in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2021. He deployed to Afghanistan and trained in survival and navigation. Officials say those skills made tracking him through rugged terrain very difficult.
Massive Effort to Find Him
More than 100 officers from various agencies searched remote areas by land, air, and water. They covered vast wild terrain hoping for leads. Investigators found a key fob near Icicle Creek matching Decker’s truck.
Obstacles in the Case
The remains show advanced decay. That complicates determining cause of death with certainty. Experts warn the condition may make some findings impossible, even after identification.
Next Steps
Authorities expect DNA testing results soon. They continue gathering evidence at the discovery site and hope to confirm whether the remains are Decker’s. If confirmed, it may bring closure to a case that has deeply troubled the community.
