FBI concludes answers in Travis Decker case were hiding in plain sight, but time will only tell if the case is closed

The two-day FBI grid search of the area near the Rock Island Campground in Washington State, where Travis Decker‘s three daughters were found murdered in June, has yielded new clues, according to special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office, Mike Herrington, in a Thursday, August 28 press release.

Herrington stated that authorities recovered several items near the campsite, which are now undergoing forensic analysis to determine any connection to the case. Among the findings, investigators discovered bones that have yet to be confirmed as human. The Washington State crime lab is now examining the bones. Authorities also mentioned the discovery of remains that “appear to be of an overdose victim,” though their relevance—if any—to the Decker case is unknown.

For now, Decker remains at large, and authorities still have no confirmation whether he is alive or deceased.

The August search

On August 25 and 26, approximately 100 federal agents, working alongside local and specialized teams, conducted a coordinated search of roughly 250 acres near Rock Island Campground. The area, characterized by steep hills, dense underbrush, limited cell service, winding creeks, and unpredictable terrain, posed significant challenges for the operation. They methodically combed footpaths, dense undergrowth, and previously inaccessible terrain, with some teams even wading into Icicle Creek and targeting logjam-blocked areas with dive teams.

To mitigate challenges posed by the rough terrain, the teams electronically documented and mapped the August search. This ensures that future teams can build upon the investigation and maintain the evidence chain’s integrity.

“We will not relent”

Before the operation, Special Agent Herrington stated that this search of “this magnitude and detail has not previously taken place in this area,” and that the Bureau remains committed to deploying every available resource for as long as necessary.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison echoed that sentiment, saying, “We will not relent. We will not give up. The girls would not want us to give up.” He acknowledged the search might extend well into the future—potentially months or even years—while expressing determination.

Meanwhile, a $20,000 reward remains posted for information leading to Decker’s arrest, with federal partners, including the U.S. Marshals and Canadian authorities, actively collaborating, especially as investigators consider the possibility that Decker may have fled toward Canada via the nearby Pacific Crest Trail.

Authorities accuse Decker, a 32-year-old former military member, of murdering his three young daughters during a scheduled visitation in May 2025. Searchers discovered the girls’ bodies on June 2 near Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Washington, with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties nearby. This indicates asphyxiation as the cause of death. DNA linked Decker to the crime. Since then, authorities have received reports of sightings, such as one near Snoqualmie Pass, in Washington, but all have been unsubstantiated.