25C04728 - Chelan County Sheriff’s Office leads and coordinates the in-depth investigation into the death of three children, and search for the suspect.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Travis Decker, please submit your tips through the following official link:
www.usmarshals.gov/tips
Or contact the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102
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August 25th, 2025
To the citizens of Chelan County,
As your Sheriff, I want to take a moment to personally thank you and our law enforcement partners for their continued support, collaboration, and dedication in the search for Travis Decker, who remains wanted for three counts of Murder in the First Degree and one count of Kidnapping in the First Degree.
This case has shaken the foundation of our county. The lives of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker were taken in a senseless and unimaginable act of violence. Our hearts remain with their loved ones, and we are unwavering in our commitment to seeking justice on their behalf.
Beginning today, Monday, August 25, through Tuesday, August 26, the FBI Seattle Office will be leading federal, state, and local agencies in conducting a coordinated search near Rock Island Campground outside of Leavenworth, Washington. This targeted effort will again cover rugged and heavily forested terrain within U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land. We are grateful to the USFS for their continued cooperation and support in this continued investigation.
The areas being searched are extremely challenging with steep hillsides, dense brush, minimal cell service, and unpredictable conditions. Over the past three months, investigative teams, led by your Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit, have pursued every lead and searched vast, remote areas in the hope of locating Travis Decker or any evidence that might bring us closer to answers. This has been a painstaking and difficult task, and I want to personally commend all involved for their dedication.
As previously mentioned, the search effort is being coordinated by the FBI Seattle Field Office, who has brought nearly 100 personnel including:
• Special Agents, Intelligence Analysts, and Task Force Officers.
• Specialty units such as the Evidence Response Team, SWAT, electronics technicians, medical personnel, and a mobile command post.
• Experts from the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) and Laboratory Division, who bring national expertise in child abduction cases, crisis response, and forensic analysis.
These resources demonstrate the seriousness with which every agency is approaching this case. I also want to acknowledge the other partner agencies:
• U.S. Marshals Service
• Port of Seattle Police Department
• Yakima Police Department
• Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
• Washington State Patrol
• U.S. Forest Service – Wenatchee River District
• U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
Central Washington University – Anthropology Department
I understand that this search requires the closure of roads, trails, and campgrounds during the height of our busy summer recreation season. I recognize the inconvenience this causes and sincerely thank the public for your continued patience and understanding. Your cooperation allows the involved teams to operate safely and efficiently.
At this time, no conclusive evidence has been found to indicate whether Travis Decker is alive or deceased. We continue to follow every credible lead. While this latest operation may or may not yield new findings, our promise is that we will not stop until we have exhausted every possible avenue to find him and to bring closure to this case.
The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to his arrest. He should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see him, do not approach and call 911 immediately.
If you have any information related to his whereabouts, please contact:
• Your local U.S. Marshals Office
• The U.S. Marshals Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102
• Submit a tip at: www.usmarshals.gov/tips
To our communities: I know how painful and heavy this case has been and continues to be. You have shown grace, patience, and strength through unimaginable tragedy. Please know that your sheriff’s office and every agency involved has been and remains committed to doing everything in our power to find the person responsible and to deliver justice for Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia.
We remain guided by our mission: to faithfully serve, protect, and stand beside the citizens of this county. We are of the people, for the people and we will never waiver in our pursuit of safety, justice, and truth.
Respectfully,
Michael L. Morrison
Chelan County Sheriff
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**UPDATE 1300 hours on August 18, 2025**
***UPDATED DETAILS OF THE CRIME SCENE AND DNA RESLULTS***
As previously reported, on June 2, 2025 the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia Decker were located near the Rock Island Campground along Icicle Creek. At that time, each victim was found with plastic bags over their head. Two of the victims each had two separate bags over their heads and the third victim had three separate bags over their head. In addition, several cable ties were located on the ground in the immediate area of the bodies. These plastic bags and cable ties were collected that night by the Washington State Patrol Crime Response Team. Chelan County Sheriff’s Detectives submitted this evidence to the Washington State Crime Lab for DNA analysis. In early June, autopsies were completed and the Medical Examiner determined the cause of death for each victim was suffocation and the manner of death was homicide.
On August 6, 2025, the Washington State Crime Lab reported DNA profiles matching Travis Decker were found on the plastic bags that were covering each of his daughter’s heads. DNA profiles matching Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia Decker were also located on the plastic bags. No other DNA profiles were obtained from the plastic bags. One DNA profile was obtained from the cable ties collected at the scene. That DNA sample matched the profile for Travis Decker. No other DNA profiles were obtained from the cable ties.
The completion of this DNA analysis provides additional evidence that indicates Travis Decker is the only suspect involved in committing these homicides.
Decker’s whereabouts remain unknown. At this time, we do not have any evidence to suggest Travis Decker is either alive or deceased. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office continues to communicate with local, State and Federal law enforcement partners to coordinate continued search efforts.
The United States Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to Travis Decker’s arrest. The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see Travis Decker, please call 911 immediately and do not attempt to contact or approach him. Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
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**Update 13 1300 hours 7/25/2025**
The search effort for Travis Decker continues with a reduced footprint while the criminal investigation remains ongoing.
A decrease in leads and tips into the potential location of Mr. Decker has led to a reduced footprint from CCSO and other LE Agencies in the search. CCSO Detectives continue to assess evidence and search for new investigative leads.
Law enforcement personnel, along with search and rescue organizations have conducted an exhaustive search for Mr. Decker of the wilderness area surrounding the initial crime scene. Information and leads received have been followed up on in several different areas with the focus remaining on the Blewett Pass and Enhancements area between Chelan and Kittitas Counties.
Search efforts have included swift water teams, multiple K9 teams with various disciplines
(tracking, human remains detection, etc), air assets, and personnel on foot. As of today, Mr. Decker has still not been located, and there is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor if he is deceased.
The most recent search area led our teams to the Blewett Pass area, north of the Mineral Springs campground. The potential evidence and intelligence gathered in this area are inconclusive, meaning we cannot confirm any of the information is directly associated with Mr. Decker.
As bear hunting season opens in August, and others continue their outdoor pursuits, we strongly encourage everyone venturing out into these areas remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, persons, or items they may come across by reporting it to 911 immediately. We also ask those who do come across something to mark the location using GPS or other marking form if they are able to, and even take pictures if it is safe.
CCSO Detectives remain actively engaged in processing evidence and will continue to follow up on leads or tips as they come in.
The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to Travis DECKER’s arrest. The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
If you see Travis Decker, please call 911 immediately and do not attempt to contact or approach him. Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
Last Updated: 08/25/2025 02:04 PM