Animal Bones Found During Search for Washington Father Accused of Killing Daughters, FBI Confirms
FILE - This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows Travis Caleb Decker, who is wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters. (Wenatchee Police Department via AP, File)
Bones discovered during the ongoing manhunt for a Washington father accused of killing his three young daughters have been confirmed as nonhuman, the FBI announced this week. According to NBC News, the bones—initially suspected to be human—were found in August at the Rock Island Campground in the Cascade Mountains, where authorities have been searching for 39-year-old Travis Decker.
Decker has been missing since June 2, when the bodies of his daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were found at the same campground. Investigators say the girls were discovered with plastic bags over their heads, and DNA evidence linked Decker to the bags. Autopsies later confirmed all three girls died by suffocation, and their deaths were ruled homicides, KOMO News reports.
Although the recent discovery of bones led to renewed speculation, FBI Seattle Special Agent W. Mike Herrington confirmed they were animal remains. He added that while no further updates are expected from this specific search site, the broader investigation remains active.
Authorities have been searching for Decker for over three months. His ex-wife reported the children missing on May 30 after Decker failed to return them following a scheduled visit. However, the situation did not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Decker is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping. He is considered armed and dangerous. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest.
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