Chelan County, WA — The search continues with growing urgency for Travis Decker, a former Army Ranger accused of the unimaginable: the murder of his three young daughters. As communities across Washington remain on high alert, law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to track down the fugitive, whose vehicle was discovered abandoned three hours away in the dense wilderness of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Decker, the prime suspect in a heartbreaking triple homicide that has left Chelan County shaken to its core, has managed to elude authorities since the June 28 tragedy. Despite the challenging terrain and vast search area, investigators are not ruling out the possibility that Decker may have moved closer to populated areas.
That concern grew on the afternoon of June 28, around 1 p.m., when a motorist traveling near Wine Country Road and Exit 82 reported seeing a man resembling Decker. The tip prompted an immediate and intense response: multiple law enforcement units converged on the area, a containment perimeter was established, and a drone was launched to aid in the aerial search. A police K9 was deployed and ultimately located the individual spotted in a clump of nearby trees. Authorities later confirmed the man was not Travis Decker.
Still, officials emphasized the importance of the public’s vigilance and expressed gratitude to the observant citizen who reported the possible sighting.
“We want to sincerely thank the individual who called this in, as well as the dedicated agencies who responded quickly to secure the area and conduct a thorough search,” said a spokesperson for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Participating agencies included:
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Pasco Police Department
West Richland Police Department
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Despite this lead proving to be a false alarm, law enforcement continues to urge the public to stay alert and report any suspicious individuals or activity, especially in urban areas where Decker could attempt to hide or seek resources.
As the days stretch on without an arrest, the sense of unease deepens—not just because of the heinous nature of the crime, but because the man believed responsible has yet to face justice.
Anyone with information on Decker’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities immediately. Officials stress that he may be armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
A community mourns three innocent lives taken too soon. A nation watches and waits—for answers, for justice, and for peace.
