The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that federal, state, and local agencies are beginning a large-scale search near Rock Island Campground outside Leavenworth for Travis Decker, who remains wanted in the killings of his three children.
Sheriff Mike Morrison issued a statement thanking the public and law enforcement partners for their support, saying the case “has shaken the foundation of our county.”
He said the lives of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker were taken “in a senseless and unimaginable act of violence,” and reaffirmed that investigators are committed to finding the suspect and pursuing justice.
The new search, coordinated by the FBI’s Seattle office, runs Monday, Aug. 25 through Tuesday, Aug. 26. Nearly 100 federal personnel are involved, including special agents, analysts, SWAT members, evidence response teams, medical staff, electronics technicians, and experts from the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group and Laboratory Division.
A mobile command post has also been deployed.
Morrison said the search area includes rugged U.S. Forest Service land with steep slopes, thick brush, poor cell service, and unpredictable conditions.
“Over the past three months, investigative teams 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,” he said.
Agencies assisting include the U.S. Marshals Service, Seattle Police Department, Yakima Police Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Forest Service Wenatchee River District, and Central Washington University’s Anthropology Department.
Morrison acknowledged that the search requires temporary closures of roads, trails, and campgrounds during peak summer recreation season, and asked the public for patience: “Your cooperation allows the involved teams to operate safely and efficiently.”
Authorities said no evidence has yet confirmed whether Decker is alive or dead.
“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,” Morrison said.
The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker’s arrest.
Officials said he should be considered armed and dangerous, urging anyone who sees him not to approach but instead call 911.
Tips can also be reported by contacting a local U.S. Marshals office, calling the Marshals Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submitting information at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
Morrison closed his message to residents by recognizing the toll the case has taken: “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.”
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