Search for Travis Decker scaled back amid decline in new leads
The search for Travis Decker, the father wanted for
murdering his daughters in late May, has been scaled back after what Washington authorities say is a decline in new investigative leads.
In an
update Friday, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said that, while the criminal investigation remains ongoing, there has been an “exhaustive” search of several areas. The most recent search north of the Mineral Springs campground in the Blewett Pass area yielded “inconclusive evidence,” CCSO said.
Although there have been many
reported sightings of Decker over the course of several weeks, CCSO said there is currently not enough information to confirm whether Decker is alive or dead.
Eight weeks into the manhunt for triple-murder suspect Travis Decker, deputies say search efforts have scaled back as tips and leads slow.
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Eight weeks in, Travis Decker manhunt in WA scales back as tips slow
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) released an update on the manhunt for triple-murder suspect
Travis Decker on Friday, saying that
search efforts have been scaled back, along with the number of community tips on potential sightings.
Friday marks eight weeks since 32-year-old Travis Decker picked up his three daughters – Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 – from their home in Wenatchee, Washington.
On Friday, July 25, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office announced that detectives are continuing to assess evidence and search for new investigative leads. However, a decrease in leads and tips on Decker's location has led to a "reduced footprint" from deputies and law enforcement agencies in the search.
Since the manhunt was launched, law enforcement personnel have conducted an exhaustive search for Decker in the wilderness area surrounding the crime scene. Several areas have been searched, with the focus remaining on the Blewett Pass and Enchantments area between Chelan and Kittitas counties.
"As of today, Mr. Decker has still not been located, and there is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor if he is deceased," the Chelan County Sheriff's Office wrote in a Friday, July 25 press release.
The most recent search focused on the Blewett Pass area near the Mineral Springs campground. Deputies said the potential evidence and intelligence gathered in this area cannot confirm any information linked to Decker.
The CCSO suggested that the upcoming bear hunting season, which opens in August, may be the next opportunity to bring in more leads and tips from the public.
"As bear hunting season opens in August, and others continue their outdoor pursuits, we strongly encourage everyone venturing out into these areas [to] remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, persons, or items they may come across by reporting it to 911 immediately," the CCSO wrote. "We also ask those who do come across something to mark the location using GPS or other marking form if they are able to, and even take pictures if it is safe."
The CCSO reiterated that detectives are still actively engaged in processing evidence and will notify the public when new leads or tips emerge.
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