Possible sighting of Washington man wanted in the deaths of his 3
daughters prompts search in Idaho
[July 08, 2025]
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal authorities in Idaho are
following up on a possible sighting over the weekend of a Washington
state man wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters.
The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force said it had
received a tip Saturday from a family recreating near a camping area in
Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest that they saw a man whose description
was consistent with that of Travis Decker.
Decker has been wanted since June 2, when a sheriff’s deputy in
Washington found his truck and the bodies of his three daughters —
9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia
Decker — at a campground outside Leavenworth, Washington. The discovery
came three days after he failed to return the girls to their mother’s
home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle,
following a scheduled visit.
Authorities in Washington on June 10 said they believed they'd spotted
Decker, a former soldier, near a remote alpine lake in a popular
backpacking area in the Cascade Range. Tracking teams followed up on a
tip from hikers who reported seeing a lone hiker who appeared to be
ill-prepared for the conditions.
But he has not been found.
Eric Toms, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal with the District of Boise,
said the agency was receiving more tips from the public following the
statement the task force released Sunday. Toms in an email said the
agency was evaluating each tip and that a search team involving the
marshals service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Camas County Sheriff's
Office set out Monday.
He said authorities planned to speak with local residents and people
camping or recreating in the area. He said Decker has a history of
hitchhiking and encouraged motorists to not pick up any hitchhikers.
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This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows
Travis Caleb Decker, who is wanted in connection with the deaths of
his three daughters. (Wenatchee Police Department via AP, File)
Toms said search efforts Monday were being conducted by air and on
the ground, including by dirt bike. He didn’t have any additional
information to immediately release.
The forest area is nearly 600 miles (965 kilometers) from the lake
where authorities were searching last month.
Jason Knight, who is the director, co-founder and an instructor at
Alderleaf Wilderness College in Monroe, Washington, described the
terrain in the region where authorities were searching as rugged and
challenging, with often significant temperature variations between
day and night.
In the summer months, it's possible to forage and fish, and if
someone is trying to avoid attention, they might raid campground
sites or search trash cans outside of towns, he said.
The Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for
information leading to Decker's capture.
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