Law enforcement officials in Washington state have issued a grave warning: Accused fugitive killer dad Travis Decker may have help.
“There’s some that may be sympathetic to his cause, which I think would be misguided,” Sheriff Michael Morrison told NewsNation. “I mean, he’s accused of murder, not just once, but three times, and he is a danger. So, for those that might have sympathy towards him, please allow the opportunity for us to do our job.”
This stark admonition follows accusations that Decker, 32, may not just be evading capture on his own. According to authorities, Decker could have cached supplies. Some may also be covertly aiding Decker as he seeks refuge in the harsh wilderness terrain.
The latest on Decker’s search
Decker remains at large after allegedly murdering his three daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5—during a custody visit at the Rock Island Campground on May 30. Authorities discovered their bodies on June 2, bound with zip ties and with plastic bags over their heads. Decker faces three counts of aggravated first‑degree murder and kidnapping, along with custodial interference charges.
Since then, search efforts have intensified across rugged terrain in Chelan and Kittitas Counties. The U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies have deployed aerial surveillance, K‑9 teams, and ground units to comb the area.
A recent helicopter sighting spotted a lone hiker sprinting off-trail near Colchuck Lake, believed to be Decker, prompting rapid deployment of tracking teams and K‑9 units.
Investigators have also discovered items near Ingalls Creek Trailhead that may have been stashed or dropped by Decker, reinforcing the theory that he could be staging supplies in advance.
Hideouts and survival tactics
An ex-Army infantryman who served in Afghanistan, Decker is a trained survivalist who has reportedly lived off-grid for months at a time.
Authorities believe he is hiding in dense forests and alpine regions. They say he may be using his wilderness knowledge to go undetected and possibly sustain himself with stolen supplies, such as eggs raided from chicken coops.
Despite the possibility of staged supply caches, Sheriff Morrison underscored that Decker is not just a hardened survivalist but a threat. “He is a danger,” Morrison emphasized. “He’s accused of murder, not just once, but three times.”
Charges and community warnings
Sheriff Morrison’s plea was two‑fold: to warn sympathizers that aiding Decker is “misguided,” and to urge the public to allow law enforcement to “do our job.” For those within hiking areas, he asked residents and visitors to remain vigilant. They should report any sightings of suspicious individuals and refrain from approaching them.
Search commanders believe time is on their side. Decker’s survival tactics may sustain him for a period, but they also leave tracks. Authorities remain confident that with the coordinated resources in place, Decker will inevitably make a mistake or emerge from hiding.
Until then, the manhunt grinds on. The people of Washington are being called upon: turn in any tip, check trail cameras, lock up small livestock, and trust in the law enforcement agencies working around the clock.
Published: Jun 21, 2025 06:32 am