Breaking: Skeletal Remains Found in Washington Mountains Possibly Belong to Father Wanted in Daughters' Deaths

2025-09-20 06:01:07.232

Authorities in Washington state are using DNA testing to determine if skeletal remains found in the mountains belong to Travis Decker, an ex-soldier wanted in the deaths of his three daughters. Preliminary findings suggest the remains are Decker's. The remains were discovered near Grindstone Mountain, close to where Decker's truck and the bodies of his 9-year-old, 8-year-old, and 5-year-old daughters were found at a campground outside Leavenworth on June 2nd. Decker had failed to return the girls to their mother's home following a scheduled visit three days prior. The girls' cause of death was determined to be suffocation; they were bound with zip ties and had plastic bags over their heads. Decker, a former Army infantryman with survival training, was the subject of a large-scale manhunt involving numerous state and federal agencies. A dive team also found a key fob consistent with Decker's truck in Icicle Creek. Decker's ex-wife had previously expressed concerns about his worsening mental health and instability.