Found Deceased WA - Olivia 5, Evelyn 8 & Paityn Decker 9, found dead, manhunt on for father, Travis Decker 32, wh 2017 GMC Sierra PU, Wenatchee, 30 May 2025 #2

[Twistinginthewind]

Well if this is him this fits my scenario. If it was him that was sighted by the hikers then the helicopter near Colchuck, it really unfortunate that the helicopter had to immediately go refuel which gave him a chance to do something.
It was obvious from helicopter flight circling they thought he was making for Leavenworth, but at the time I thought he tactically run as far as he could, hide wait for the darkest part of the night and then descend and continue traveling at night.
If he made for Idaho on RR tracks that run between McCall and Ellenburg would take 6 days but where would he get provisions?

Great thoughts all, about him possibly travelling part of the way to ID (if it's him there right now) by train.

In terms of provisions, he could have enough MREs, trail mix, beef jerky, dried fruit, water, the essentials, in a backpack, to last a month or more.

ETA: Regarding him having enough drinking water to survive on foot or train or hitchhiking for over a month, him being a seasoned off the grid for 2 months-ish veteran according to family, and during his service in Afghanistan, IIRC, even in the "back country" where it's dry and hot...

There are lots of water treatment methods you can carry with you for resupplying and treating whatever water is available to scoop up from creeks, streams, lakes, ponds, even stagnant pools:

There are tablets, liquids, even a lightweight drinking vessel (like a cross between a sippy cup and a water bottle with a straw adults carry with them everywhere, to the gym, etc.) that has the filtering built in, and you only have to change the cartridge/filter every so often.

IMO

 

[Gemmie]

“Eric Toms, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal with the District of Boise, said the agency was receiving more tips from the public following the statement the task force released Sunday. Toms, in an email, said the agency was evaluating each tip and that a search team involving the marshals service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Camas County Sheriff's Office set out Monday.

He said authorities planned to speak with residents and people camping or recreating in the area. He said Decker has a history of hitchhiking and encouraged motorists not to pick up any hitchhikers.”

Fugitive dad, Travis Decker, accused of killing 3 daughters possibly spotted in Idaho forest

Travis Decker, the Washington state man wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters, was possibly spotted in Idaho over the weekend.

www.cbsnews.com

It's sounding like we're getting close to an apprehension! What I wonder is will he be taken in peacefully, put up a fight, or "suicide" by cop?

 

[Snoop Sister]

It's sounding like we're getting close to an apprehension! What I wonder is will he be taken in peacefully, put up a fight, or "suicide" by cop?

I am not totally convinced that it is him. But,
I would guess suicide by cop though if it is him and an attempted apprehension is made.

 

[Twistinginthewind]

"... we urge the public to refrain from flying drones in the search area, as such activity will inhibit our ability to conduct aerial searches and poses a safety risk to aircrews."

U.S. Marshals begin joint search for Travis Decker in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest - Local News 8

The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force is urgently seeking the public's help in locating Travis Decker, a murder suspect who authorities now believe may be hiding in the Sawtooth National Forest. Decker is wanted in Washington State on three counts of murder and three counts...

localnews8.com

 

[huckleberryhound]

Very interesting. So this begs the question why did the second party report him but not identify him? Maybe they had their suspicions and just didn't say the name so as not to be hasty, but if they didn't happen to know TD's description (or even hadn't heard of the crime, if such people exist), why did they report? What was unusual or irregular or concerning about the person?

The tattoos not being mentioned when the description included tee shirt is a very noteworthy. I wonder if a long-sleeved shirt made of tee shirt fabric would ever be described as just a tee shirt. I wouldn't say it that way myself, but somebody might, maybe......

 

[huckleberryhound]

I wonder if he's stealing food or supplies from other people's campsites that have been left briefly unattended.

 

[Twistinginthewind]

It's sounding like we're getting close to an apprehension! What I wonder is will he be taken in peacefully, put up a fight, or "suicide" by cop?

Yes, it sounds like they're closing in on him, IMO!

IF it's him:

My gut instinct is that he won't be taken in peacefully, he'll keep running as long as he can, and maybe lead LE on a merry chase to get to him, just to try to best them, if he can. Mr. Survivalist with military training and experience.

If they hone in on him and the gig is up, I think he may not take himself out right then and there.

Not entirely sure about others/LE/searchers at a final showdown, if he would want to "take as many as he could with him".

They're not the "enemy" like when he was in the military, and he was just doing his job... but am certain LE will be verrrrry careful about an approach.

I think he's mentally disturbed for sure, and a coward overall, as to why he's been playing a cat and mouse game with LE for over a month.

Maybe he's ready to go now, after all, he's done what he intended to do (kill his children, escape justice for a period of time if he could), and he has gotten his monthe-ish of fame/notoriety, if that also mattered to him, being in headlines .

So he's been successful thus far in distancing himself from the atrocities he perpetrated on his own children.

And he may be ready to trip off somewhere into a new hidey hole he set up in ID when he lived there and see how long he can survive off the grid, or face a firing squad (LE).

Either way, I think his time has come.

JMO

 

[Twistinginthewind]

Very interesting. So this begs the question why did the second party report him but not identify him? Maybe they had their suspicions and just didn't say the name so as not to be hasty, but if they didn't happen to know TD's description (or even hadn't heard of the crime, if such people exist), why did they report? What was unusual or irregular or concerning about the person?

The tattoos not being mentioned when the description included tee shirt is a very noteworthy. I wonder if a long-sleeved shirt made of tee shirt fabric would ever be described as just a tee shirt. I wouldn't say it that way myself, but somebody might, maybe......

Maybe he gave off a bad or be cautious vibe, even the way he was dressed "to blend in", and the second party who may have seen him were spooked, and not sure if it was actually him and or what they should do.

Presumably, when they saw him (IF him), they weren't expecting him to be in that neck of the woods, tats as sleeves, his "look" not being on their minds if not following this case, and how he looked maybe not being that visible from a distance.

If it were me (a scaredy cat, wanting to maintain my anonymity while out hiking or picknicking or what have you, doing my own thing on the 4th of July weekend), I would probably not want to throw up an alarm with LE saying directly I thought it might be him... just could it be, and what if I wasn't aware to be on the lookout for one like him, disappearing from WA more than a month ago??

JMO

 

[Charlot123]

Keep in mind Google maps is going to give the easiest way to walk (it was along Hwy's), so that's not his exact path. I was showing start and potentially end points, so he'd be going SE, not North to Canada which is what was thought with all his Canada Googling he did.

@Boxer mentioned RR tracks upthread.

I wonder if it is a river. There is Snake river and some tributaries.

One thing he absolutely needs in such a weather is water. Fresh water. After all, indeed, he goes through not too populated reservation areas. But the climate there is hot. Allegedly he can survive the area, but the water he needs.

 

[vls12345]

I feel like it could be an accurate sighting if two people/groups independently reported a sighting to LE, especially as it's far away/different state from where he originally was located & it's been a bit over a month.

I hope he is found & brought in.

 

[Gemmie]

Law enforcement makes contact with campers after possible Travis Decker sighting in Idaho Sawtooth Mountains​

U.S. Marshals and Forest Service officers began checking every camper, cabin, and campsite in the area.

"The law enforcement personnel have been calm and cool," said Nick Yuri, who was staying at a rural cabin with his family. "They informed us of everything we needed to know, and now they’re down here checking us again today."

Due to the rugged terrain, investigators brought in a helicopter to assist with the search, as well as dirt bikes and ATVs. They encourage everyone in the area to remain vigilant until the search is complete and to avoid picking up any hitchhikers.

Law enforcement makes contact with campers after possible Travis Decker sighting in Idaho Sawtooth Mountains

In response to the potential sighting of Travis Decker, U.S. Marshals and Forest Service officers began checking every camper, cabin, and campsite in the area.

www.kivitv.com

 

[Seattle1]

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[Boxer]

Yes, it sounds like they're closing in on him, IMO!

IF it's him:

My gut instinct is that he won't be taken in peacefully, he'll keep running as long as he can, and maybe lead LE on a merry chase to get to him, just to try to best them, if he can. Mr. Survivalist with military training and experience.

If they hone in on him and the gig is up, I think he may not take himself out right then and there.

Not entirely sure about others/LE/searchers at a final showdown, if he would want to "take as many as he could with him".

They're not the "enemy" like when he was in the military, and he was just doing his job... but am certain LE will be verrrrry careful about an approach.

I think he's mentally disturbed for sure, and a coward overall, as to why he's been playing a cat and mouse game with LE for over a month.

Maybe he's ready to go now, after all, he's done what he intended to do (kill his children, escape justice for a period of time if he could), and he has gotten his monthe-ish of fame/notoriety, if that also mattered to him, being in headlines .

So he's been successful thus far in distancing himself from the atrocities he perpetrated on his own children.

And he may be ready to trip off somewhere into a new hidey hole he set up in ID when he lived there and see how long he can survive off the grid, or face a firing squad (LE).

Either way, I think his time has come.

JMO

Missed that he lived in Idaho.
Do you know where?

 

[sassyblue]

Do people still hitch a ride on train box cars? I know they used to, which would be one way to travel a large distance in a short time, at least part of the way.

Yes. We own a business in Nampa, ID...train headquarters is across the street from us. Train hoppers use our outside spigot for baths, I take the young ones to Burger King when I see them but yes....you spot them easy in that neighborhood.

 

[Gemmie]

Missed that he lived in Idaho.
Do you know where?

I haven't seen where he's lived in Idaho, although he could have at some point. I found this:

Who is Travis Decker?​

Decker is a Pewaukee native living in Washington state.

What we know about Travis Decker, the Pewaukee native accused of killing his daughters in Washington

Washinton police have been searching for Travis Decker, 32, since he did not return his three daughters to their mother May 30.

www.yahoo.com

 

[SubzeroSongie]

I'll be honest, I thought he already offed himself. There's no way this is ending peacefully unless cops get the ambush

 

[Tealgrove]

Have to admit that I was in the camp that felt he had committed suicide and they just hadn’t found him as yet. Now I’m not so sure. LE is putting a lot of effort into this new search. They must know way more than they are letting on.

As soon as I heard about a sighting in Idaho I wondered if he had hitched a ride.

If it’s him, his time might be up.

 

[huckleberryhound]

The location where he was possibly spotted seems like such an extremely remote and unlikely place for him to wind up in, the kind of place only locals would know, IMO. I had a hard time even trying to find a good map of the area on Google Earth. So I looked at my old pre-internet book of paper maps of the Idaho national forests and back-country, and I noticed on those old maps that the Idaho State Centennial Trail is quite close to where he was reported seen. (Couldn't find the trail on GoogleEarth) This is a trail that runs north and south thru Idaho from the Canadian border to the Nevada border. I wonder if he might be using that trail to make his way through these wilderness areas. There are places the trail crosses highways and towns, it even crosses Interstate-90.

 

[MassGuy]

Really good interview with a Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshall here that explains why they think these tips are valid:

Someone who hadn't seen his tattoos before described them "pretty accurately."

He was in an unusual area for a hiker, as it was an ATV trail.

Didn't make eye contact. Described long pony tail and ungroomed facial hair.

Terrain is rugged, hard for anybody to navigate those areas.

Travis Decker manhunt: Joint search underway for WA murder suspect in ID forest

Following a tip, law enforcement has launched a joint search operation in Idaho for Travis Decker, wanted for triple murder and kidnapping in Washington. Here's how they're asking the public to help.

www.fox13seattle.com

 

[Lalalacasbah]

Really good interview with a Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshall here that explains why they think these tips are valid:

Someone who hadn't seen his tattoos before described them "pretty accurately."

He was in an unusual area for a hiker, as it was an ATV trail.

Didn't make eye contact. Described long pony tail and ungroomed facial hair.

Terrain is rugged, hard for anybody to navigate those areas.

Travis Decker manhunt: Joint search underway for WA murder suspect in ID forest

Following a tip, law enforcement has launched a joint search operation in Idaho for Travis Decker, wanted for triple murder and kidnapping in Washington. Here's how they're asking the public to help.

www.fox13seattle.com

ATV trail? If he stashed an ATV somewhere to use maybe it broke down/got stuck so he succumbed to going on foot.

But I would think he would've gotten further than that if on an ATV? People who know the area might know if an ATV would've taken him further but guess it depends on his route.