Okanogan County Sheriff Paul Budrow issued an alert yesterday for the west side of Okanogan County following a manhunt for a suspect in the murder of three children.
Travis Decker, 32, is wanted for killing his three daughters ages 9, 8, and 5 during a planned visitation, part of a court-ordered parenting plan with his ex-wife. The children’s mother called the police when Decker did not return their children May 30. Their bodies, as well as Decker’s vehicle, were discovered near Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth on June 2. He is wanted for three counts of murder first-degree and kidnapping first-degree.
Decker’s dog was also found at the campground, according to Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. He did not indicate whether the dog was alive. Cell phones found at the scene are being investigated.
“Residents, particularly those on the west side of Okanogan County and in remote or seasonal areas, are urged to remain vigilant. Decker is still considered dangerous and potentially armed,” Budrow posted yesterday on his department’s Facebook page.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is asking people who own cabins or reside in remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas, King, Snohomish, and Okanogan Counties to lock their doors, including in sheds and outbuildings, and to leave window blinds open and outside lights on at night.
All campgrounds off Icicle Creek near Leavenworth and a nearby hiking area known as the Enchantments are closed as of yesterday through June 18, according to Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
Decker has extensive training in the Army. Chelan County Sheriff’s Office says Decker is “well versed in wilderness survival and capable of spending days or even weeks in the wilderness on his own and with very little equipment.”
“In talking with his father, it sounds at times that he would go out and would be living off grid for sometimes for up to two and a half months,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said during a press conference. Morrison said Decker enjoyed spending time in the wilderness since he was a child
“Although this can be a challenge while searching for him, our personnel are well equipped and prepared to seek and apprehend him,” according to a statement by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to Chelan County’s own air support, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office provided two helicopters to assist in the search in Chelan County and nearby national forest and wilderness areas. Drones are also being used in the search, according to Morrison.
Washington State Patrol, FBI, Homeland Security, Border Patrol, U.S. Marshall’s Office, Wenatchee Police Department, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement in surrounding counties are helping with the search effort, according to Morrision.
“We are unsure if Mr. Decker is currently alive, but we are taking it that he is still out there and again, we will not rest until we’ve located him. Whether he’s alive or he’s dead, we want to make sure that he’s brought back,” said Morrison.
Decker has been homeless and living out of a white, 2017 GMC Sierra pickup. Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, said Decker was financially stressed but followed the parenting plan and communicated any changes. He was authorized for day time visitation with his children.
Capt. Brian Chance of the Wenatchee Police Department said an initial missing children report did not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert, but it did meet the criteria for Endangered and Missing Person Alert, which generates a flyer that goes state wide to Washington State Patrol’s contacts, including readerboards along state highways.
Decker is 5’8″, 190 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light colored shirt and dark shorts. A reward of up to $20,000 is available for information leading directly to Decker’s arrest. People are asked not to approach if they see the suspect and to call 911 immediately. Chelan County has also set up a tip hotline- 509-667-6845 as well as an online submission form- https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip.
