After a month, the search for Travis Decker continues

If you walk around Wenatchee you might see pink, purple and green bows tied to trees or poles. Pink, purple and green were five-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Paityn Decker’s favorite colors, respectively. It has been more than one month since the three girls were found dead near Leavenworth.

Police are still looking for their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, who did not return the girls from a scheduled visit on May 30. The girls’ bodies were found June 2. Decker is wanted on first-degree charges of murder and kidnapping in connection to the girls’ killings.

The Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Division tested DNA from Travis Decker’s truck and DNA samples from items found at Rock Island Campground, where the girl’s bodies were found according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. The results showed the blood samples matched. Investigators say they do not have reason to believe there are any other suspects.

“There was also no other DNA evidence showing that there would be anyone else on scene,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. 

According to Morrison, law enforcement has no confirmation that Decker is deceased or alive. Investigators have returned to the original crime scene and are now working down to the Columbia River. The National Park Service is sending out a swift water search team to look for Decker, Morrison said. In addition, investigators used GoPros and other camera systems inserted into the water and areas of interest to look for Decker.

“We continue to do follow up on areas that we have not fully checked ‘cause of course we’ve had spring runoff here in the past. The river is starting to slow down. It’s giving us a little bit better access there,” said Morrison. 

Last week, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office searched Crystal Creek Drainage, a waterway that passes along The Enchantments, and by the Chelan-Kittitas county line. In June, hikers reported seeing a lone individual in The Enchantments who appeared ill-prepared for the hike and avoiding others. Tracking teams responded and located an off-trail hiker that ran from sight as the helicopter passed, according to police. 

Search teams continue to look for Decker using resources including K9s, volunteers and drones. Crews are looking for patterns over land and water. On June 28, 25 people from Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue conducted a thorough search of the crime scene area. 

“We are primarily focused on the investigative side. Our search and rescue volunteers did a grid pattern search around the initial scene just to see if we had missed any evidence,” said Morrison.

The three girls were not returned to their mother after a scheduled visit on May 30. Their mother, Whitney Decker, contacted police that night when her ex-husband, Travis Decker, did not return the girls. On June 2, The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said the girls died of suffocation and their deaths have been ruled homicides. 

Decker’s visitation rights were limited to specific hours with no overnight stays. 

The Wenatchee Police Department contacted Washington State Patrol (WSP) to request an Amber Alert, however the department determined the case did not meet the requirements for an alert. WSP sent an endangered missing persons advisory on June 7. 

Police say that Decker is experienced in outdoor survival. Decker served for eight years in the U.S. National Guard. He has military training in navigation, survival skills. He should be considered armed and dangerous. 

The U.S. Marshals Service is leading the search and has also offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker’s arrest. Tips can be directed to the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center by calling 1-800-336-0102. 

Reneé Diaz may be contacted at [email protected]. Collaborative reporting by The Wenatchee World, NWPB and WSU’s Murrow College of Communication Newsroom Fellowship.