Authorities in Washington say they have discovered human remains in a remote part of Chelan County that are believed to be those of Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three daughters earlier this year. Investigators reported that the remains were found in a rugged, wooded area south of Leavenworth, along with clothing and personal items matching what Decker was last seen wearing. While preliminary findings point strongly toward Decker, officials noted that DNA testing is still underway to confirm the identity.
The discovery marks a grim development in a case that has shocked communities across the state and beyond. On June 2, law enforcement officers found the bodies of Decker’s daughters — Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 — near a campground in Chelan County after their mother reported that they had not been returned from a scheduled visitation. Investigators determined that the girls had been bound with zip ties and suffocated with plastic bags. Decker’s abandoned truck was later found nearby, containing blood evidence and other signs connecting him to the crime.
Decker, a 32-year-old former Army soldier with survival training, became the subject of a multi-agency manhunt after the killings. His disappearance raised widespread concern, and his background in wilderness survival complicated the search, which extended across difficult mountain terrain. Authorities had long suspected he was hiding in the area, though until now, no trace of him had been confirmed.
The case has drawn national attention, not only for its tragic nature but also for the troubling details leading up to the murders. Court filings from Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney, described his growing instability and unsafe living conditions, with repeated attempts to limit his time with their daughters. Despite those concerns, the visitation went forward, ending in one of the state’s most devastating family tragedies in recent memory.
In a statement following the discovery of the remains, Atlantic Music Group chairman Elliot Grainge—[WAIT: ignore, wrong context earlier]—officials emphasized that while the circumstantial evidence is strong, only DNA results will provide certainty. Decker’s former spouse has been kept informed of developments through her attorney, who expressed gratitude for the work of investigators and hope that the discovery may finally bring some closure.
If confirmed, the finding will mark the end of a months-long search for Decker and close a chapter in a case that has left a community mourning and searching for answers. For many, the tragedy has also raised broader questions about mental health support, custody arrangements, and the systems in place to protect children during family disputes. For now, investigators continue their work at the site where the remains were found, while awaiting forensic results that will determine, once and for all, whether the manhunt for Travis Decker has come to an end.
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