The manhunt for accused killer Travis Decker has now stretched into its fourth straight month, and investigators are still no closer to capturing him.
Authorities had a glimmer of hope recently when bones were discovered during a search, but those remains have since been confirmed as “not human.”
The Tragedy That Sparked the Search
Decker, 32, vanished in early June after allegedly suffocating his three young daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—just before a custody exchange with his ex-wife in Leavenworth, Washington.
Their bodies were later discovered inside his abandoned truck at Rock Island Campground in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Investigators Thought They Found a Lead
When bones were located during an extensive FBI-led two-day sweep of the area, many believed the case was about to break open.
But Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison later explained that forensic checks showed the remains weren’t linked to Decker—or even human at all.
Authorities Refuse to Give Up
Sheriff Morrison insists that every search, even when it leads to disappointment, helps narrow down the possibilities.
He said officials are committed to expanding the search zone with the help of another federal agency joining the effort later this month.
Items gathered during the last operation are also still being examined.
A Fugitive With Survival Training
One major challenge for investigators is Decker’s background.
As an Army veteran and former member of the Washington National Guard, he has survival training that could allow him to last longer in the wilderness than most.
Still, Sheriff Morrison doubts Decker can sustain himself indefinitely.
“He has to be perfect every single day,” the sheriff noted.
“We just have to be perfect once.”
Questions About His Mental State
Before the tragedy, Decker was struggling with mental health issues.
He had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, was homeless, and living out of his car.
Court records show he was ordered to attend mental health treatment and domestic violence counseling, but he refused to comply.
Meanwhile, the National Guard was already moving to discharge him for repeated absences.
Conflicting Views From His Ex-Wife
Despite his downward spiral, Decker’s ex-wife Whitney told police she didn’t see him as dangerous.
She believed he loved his daughters and had a good relationship with them, even though the events of May 30 proved tragically otherwise.
A Reward Still on the Table
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker’s capture.
Whether he is still alive and hiding out or has already succumbed to the wilderness remains a haunting unknown.
What’s Next in the Hunt for Decker
For now, the search will widen with more federal resources, and investigators say they won’t stop until Decker is found—dead or alive.
As Sheriff Morrison put it, “This is not going to go away until Travis Decker is located.”