Decker Remains Found; DNA Confirmation Pending

The U.S. Marshals Service told a federal court that fugitive father Travis Decker is dead, and prosecutors filed to dismiss the federal unlawful-flight complaint and quash the arrest warrant. Human remains believed to be Decker’s were located Sept. 18 in a remote wooded area near Leavenworth, Wash., along with clothing, a key fob and other personal items consistent with Decker. Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris and Sheriff Mike Morrison said there is no scientific confirmation yet—DNA, fingerprints and other forensic testing are still pending to positively identify the remains and determine manner of death. Decker, 32, an Army veteran, had been the subject of a months-long manhunt after his three daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5—were found June 2 at a campground; authorities say the children likely died of asphyxiation. Federal filings that moved to dismiss the complaint relied in part on circumstantial evidence, but local officials say they will wait for state crime-lab results before issuing a formal identification or closing the investigation.