Travis Decker, the Washington father accused of murdering his three young daughters during a court-ordered visit, was allegedly tracked down after a week-long nationwide manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies, authorities confirmed on Tuesday, June 10.
Decker, 39, is believed to have been tracked to the Blewett Pass area near Highway 97 in Washington, according to a Chelan County Sheriff’s Office press release shared with PEOPLE. He is yet to be apprehended.
“Our office recently received a tip from a hiking party who stated they spotted a lone hiker in the Enchantments area who appeared to be ill prepared for trail and weather conditions, and appeared to be avoiding others,” according to the police.
“Tracking teams immediately acted upon the information and spotted a lone, off trail hiker from a helicopter near Colchuck Lake who ran from sight as the helicopter passed,” the Colorado Sheriff’s Office said. “Additional assets were dispatched to the area as they devised a strategy to track the individual. Teams later discovered a trail and dispatched K9s to the area, tracking the subject to the Ingalls Creek Trailhead on Highway 97.”
Police say anyone who has been camping in the area in the last week and witnessed anything suspicious should call the tip line.
Decker is wanted in connection with the deaths of three sisters: Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, who were discovered dead on June 2 at a remote campsite near the Cascade Mountains.
Whitney Decker reported the girls missing on May 30 after their father, Travis, failed to return them following a court-ordered visitation. Hours later, police discovered Travis’ abandoned truck at Rock Island Campground.
Inside a nearby tent, they discovered the bodies of all three sisters.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, all three children died from suffocation, and a coroner ruled their deaths homicides.
Travis faces three counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree kidnapping, and custodial interference.
Authorities suspected Decker fled on foot and attempted to enter Canada after searching “how to relocate to Canada” online. A $20,000 reward was offered for information that led to his arrest. The United States Marshal Service, in collaboration with local and state agencies, conducted a comprehensive search.
Decker and Whitney were in the midst of a divorce when the murders occurred, and Whitney had been granted full custody. She had previously expressed concern about the girls’ safety and reportedly petitioned to limit unsupervised visitation.
The case has sparked national attention and outpourings of support for the Decker family. Whitney’s GoFundMe campaign raised more than $1 million to cover funeral and other expenses.
Family and friends remembered Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia as “bright, creative, and deeply loved.”
Decker has yet to be apprehended, so no plea has been entered at this time.
