POLICE have new evidence that links a father to the murder scene of three young girls.
Travis Decker, 32, is wanted by law enforcement for allegedly murdering his three young daughters.
Travis Decker is wanted for allegedly murdering his three daughters[/caption]
Decker’s DNA was found on a truck near the girls’ bodies[/caption]
The girls were believed to have died by suffocation[/caption]
Police believe Decker may be living in the wilderness due to his military training[/caption]
Investigators confirmed that blood found on the tailgate of a truck at the crime scene is believed to be from Decker, Fox affiliate KCPQ reported.
Decker’s DNA was previously found on other items at the crime scene.
“We know, positively, that all of the DNA samples recovered belong to the same, male, subject, who we believe is Mr. Decker,” Undersheriff Dan Ozment said in a statement.
“With this evidence, along with the other evidentiary items found at the scene, we do not have any reason to believe there are any other suspects.”
Decker’s daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were all reported missing by their mother, Whitney, after they never returned from a scheduled three-hour visitation with the father on May 30.
The three girls were found dead on June 2 at Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington.
A preliminary report found that the girls died of suffocation and were found with bags over their heads and their hands zip-tied.
Their bodies were found near the truck with Decker’s DNA.
Following the discovery of the girls’ bodies, Decker is now wanted on charges of kidnapping and murder.
Search teams, made up of law enforcement, K-9 units, and volunteers, have been searching for Decker for the past five weeks.
Investigators are unsure whether Decker is still alive, but they noted that his military training may enable him to survive in the wilderness for a substantial amount of time.
“Until he is taken into custody, or recovered, we will continue these efforts,” Ozment stated.
The deputy said he’s thankful for the “continued leadership, dedication, and support from all of [the] search teams.”
The massive efforts expanded on June 6 when Governor Jay Inslee allocated state emergency funds and activated the National Guard to search for Decker.
Timeline of the missing Decker girls
Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead at a campground after they were last seen on a custody visit to their dad.
Below is a timeline of events:
Monday, May 26
Travis Decker searches online for “how does a person move to Canada,” a Canadian job website, and “how does a person move to Canada.”
Thursday, May 29
Decker’s cell activity shows that he drove to and from the Rock Island Campground.
Friday, May 30
5 pm – The three girls are picked up from their mom’s house by their dad.
8 pm – Decker is supposed to return the girls but doesn’t. Their mom’s calls to him go straight to voicemail.
9:45 pm – Whitney Decker calls the Wenatchee Police Department to report her daughters missing.
Decker’s truck is seen driving westbound on Highway 2.
Washington State Patrol is contacted for an Amber Alert but said the situation didn’t match their criteria.
Saturday, May 31
WPD issues an Endangered Missing Persons Alert.
Monday, June 2
3:45 pm – Decker’s truck is found empty with bloody adult-sized hand prints at Rock Island Campground.
5 pm – Cops search the area and find the bodies of the three girls.
Tuesday, June 3
9:30 am – WPD notifies the public that they are still searching for Decker.
2 pm – WPD tells the public that the three girls were found dead and that Decker is still on the loose.
Friday, June 6
The girls’ autopsy report confirms that they died by suffocation.
Sunday, June 8
6 pm – Chelan County Sheriff’s Office hands the search for Decker to the federal authorities.
Those with information on Decker’s whereabouts that leads to his arrest can receive a reward of $20,000, as offered by the US Marshals Service.
The manhunt has become one of the largest in the state’s history.
“I’m still angry. He hasn’t been found,” Chelan County deputy Mike McLeod told USA Today.
McLeod, along with other investigators, are starting to embrace the theory that Decker died out in the wilderness.
“Clearly it’s looking more like the probability he’s deceased,” Morrison said.
“Does he have the potential of surviving out there? Yes.
“But with the amount of people out there with no signs whatsoever – it’s not likely. It’s possible, but for now we’re presuming he is still alive.”
Deckers is 5’8” and weighs about 190 pounds; anyone with information is asked to call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845.
