Travis Decker has been pronounced dead, ending a extensive three-month manhunt for the Army veteran who is suspected of murdering his three young daughters. However, authorities have yet to definitively confirm if the human remains discovered in Washington state last week are indeed a match for his DNA.
In a formal Tuesday court document, US Attorney Peter Serrano along with assistant US Attorney Caitlin Baunsguard noted that the United States Marshals Service has informed them that “the Defendant Travis Caleb Decker is deceased.” This prompted their request to dismiss his case in the Eastern District of Washington, as reported by the Seattle Times .
a three-month search for the sole suspect in the tragic deaths of
his three young daughters. AP
Despite the announcement from federal authorities, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison is emphasizing the need for patience, as the state crime lab is still awaiting the results of DNA testing on Decker’s presumed remains, the outlet reported.
Last week, authorities revealed that the grotesque discovery included two feet, femurs, and vertebrae found near clothing confirmed to belong to Decker, uncovering these items in a wooded area close to the Icicle River Drainage on September 18.
Authorities also uncovered Army Ranger shorts, a bracelet that Decker frequently wore, and his usual brand of chewing tobacco in proximity to the remains.
Sheriff Morrison has requested two distinct DNA analyses—one for the remains and another for the associated clothing, the Seattle Times reported.
The sheriff expressed optimism stating, “We believe these results will confirm that we’ve located Mr. Decker. We consider ourselves one step closer.”
The remains were found not far from where Decker’s daughters were discovered deceased on June 2, near their father’s vehicle, which had been parked at the Rock Island Campground.
Though the remains were located relatively close, they were found at an elevation of 1,200 feet, necessitating crews to descend via helicopter for the recovery, as per the Seattle Times.
The three Decker sisters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were discovered with plastic bags covering their heads and zip ties binding their wrists just three days post their father’s purported custody visit.
A representative for the distraught mother Whitney Decker disclosed that the Army veteran suffered a significant decline in mental health over the preceding two years, leading to his custody rights being reduced to visitation on alternate weekends just months prior to the tragic events.
This version retains the original HTML structure and key details while ensuring the content is unique and ready for integration into a WordPress platform.
