Remains Believed to Be Travis Decker Found in Washington Mountains After Months-Long Search Linked to Deaths of His Three Daughters

Published Time: 09-20-2025, 14:30 EDT

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced this week that human remains believed to belong to 32-year-old Travis Decker, a former U.S. Army soldier wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters, were located in a remote mountain area of Washington state.

Decker had been the subject of an intense manhunt since June, after authorities discovered his daughters’ bodies at a campground in central Washington. Officials say DNA testing is underway to confirm the identity of the remains.

Concerns About Decker’s Mental Health Raised Before the Case

Court records show that Decker’s ex-wife had expressed growing concerns about his stability prior to the tragedy. In a petition filed last year, she sought to restrict his overnight visits with the children, citing worsening mental health struggles and increasingly erratic behavior.

Decker, who served eight years as an Army infantryman before leaving the service in 2021, was reportedly living out of his truck at times. His ex-wife described him as “unstable” and feared that his condition posed risks to their daughters.

Discovery of the Girls’ Bodies in Central Washington

Authorities began searching for Decker and his daughters after he failed to return them to their mother following a scheduled visit in early June. On June 2, a sheriff’s deputy discovered Decker’s truck at a campground near Leavenworth, about 120 miles east of Seattle.

Inside, officers found the bodies of Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5. Autopsy results later confirmed that the children died from suffocation, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

The discovery shocked the community and prompted a large-scale search for Decker across rugged wilderness areas.

Massive Search Effort Across Rugged Terrain

Following the grim discovery, more than 100 personnel from state and federal agencies joined the search for Decker. Authorities scoured hundreds of square miles of mountainous terrain, including heavily forested and remote areas known for difficult access.

Officials said Decker’s Army background complicated the search. His training in survival, navigation, and backwoods living made him capable of evading detection for extended periods. At one point, hikers reported a possible sighting near a remote alpine lake, but the lead did not result in his capture.

The Sheriff’s Office acknowledged that the search required extensive resources, including ground teams, drones, and air support, as they combed the steep and challenging environment.

Remains Located Near Grindstone Mountain

This week, investigators reported that remains were found in a wooded area near Grindstone Mountain, not far from the original campground where the girls’ bodies were located. Officials have not disclosed when the remains were first discovered but said preliminary findings suggest they belong to Decker.

DNA analysis is currently being conducted to confirm the identity. “We are awaiting final results, but early indications strongly point to Mr. Decker,” the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office stated on Friday.

Community Response and Ongoing Investigation

The deaths of the three sisters have left a lasting impact on the community of Leavenworth and surrounding areas. Vigils and memorials were held in their memory earlier this summer, with local residents expressing grief and shock over the tragedy.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that while the discovery of the remains may provide closure, the investigation remains ongoing. Officials are working to piece together Decker’s final movements and determine how he ended up in the wooded area near Grindstone Mountain.

The case has also renewed conversations about mental health support for veterans, parental custody concerns, and the challenges of balancing public safety with family law disputes.

What Comes Next

Authorities expect DNA test results in the coming weeks, which should formally confirm whether the remains belong to Decker. If confirmed, the months-long search will officially conclude, closing a chapter in one of Washington’s most disturbing recent cases.

Until then, law enforcement and the community continue to await answers while remembering the lives of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker.

Source: AP News – What to know about the search for Travis Decker, who was wanted in the deaths of his daughters