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Home / World

Remains believed to be Travis Decker found in Washington search

news.com.au
19 Sep, 2025 05:31 AM2 mins to read

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Authorities in the US have found human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, who was accused of murdering his three daughters. Photo / Chelan County Sheriff's Office

Authorities in the US have found human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, who was accused of murdering his three daughters. Photo / Chelan County Sheriff's Office

Authorities in the United States say they have found human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, a 32-year-old father accused of murdering his three daughters near a campground in Washington state.

The discovery was made in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth, central Washington, during an active search, the sheriff’s office announced today (NZ time).

“While positive identification has not yet been confirmed, preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker,” officials said.

The sheriff’s office confirmed it had notified Decker’s family and was “providing them with support and updates as the investigation proceeds”.

Arianna Cozart, lawyer for Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney, issued a statement on behalf of the family, saying: “We are praying that the remains found are confirmed to be Travis’s.

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“We continue to be grateful for law enforcement’s efforts in this case and are forever appreciative of the entire world’s love, compassion, and support for Whitney.”

Decker was wanted for murder and kidnapping after his daughters were found dead near Rock Island Campground.  Photo / GoFundMe
Decker was wanted for murder and kidnapping after his daughters were found dead near Rock Island Campground. Photo / GoFundMe

Decker had been wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping.

His daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, had gone on a scheduled visit to him on May 30 but never returned home, police said.

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After a three-day search, all three girls were found dead near the Rock Island Campground, west of Leavenworth.

Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.

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