US Marshals call off search for Travis Decker in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest
Idaho search for Travis Decker called off
The search for murder suspect Travis Decker in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest has concluded after authorities located and identified a hiker believed to be Decker as another individual.
The extensive search for murder suspect Travis Decker in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest has been called off, according to an announcement from the U.S. Marshals Service.
What we know:
The decision came after authorities located and interviewed a hiker believed to be Decker, confirming he was not the wanted man.
Travis Decker (Chelan County Sheriff's Office)
For the past five days, law enforcement agencies have been actively searching the Bear Creek area of the Sawtooth National Forest following a public tip that a man resembling Decker had been seen there.
On Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force located the individual.
What they're saying:
"The hiker who is the same height and roughly the same weight as Decker, also has dark features, a beard and tattoos on his arm and calf," said Michael Leigh, Supervisory Deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service, District of Idaho – Coeur d’Alene.
Investigators interviewed the cooperative man and confirmed his presence in the Bear Creek area over the past weekend.
With the positive identification of the hiker, law enforcement has ceased its search for Decker in the Sawtooth National Forest and has begun demobilizing resources from the area.
United States Marshal Brent Bunn expressed gratitude for the public's assistance in the fugitive investigation. Marshal Bunn also thanked the numerous law enforcement agencies that provided critical support over the past five days. These agencies include the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Nampa Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Bureau of Land Management, Camas County Sheriff’s Office, Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Idaho Department of Correction, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, and the FBI.
Public memorial held for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker
A community memorial was held in Wenatchee for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, who investigators believe were killed by their father, Travis Decker, who remains at large. Hundreds gathered, dressed in the girls' favorite colors, to hear tributes from family, including their mother, and honor their lives with songs, prayers, and a candlelight vigil.
The backstory:
Decker is wanted in connection with the murders and kidnappings of his three children in Washington state. His daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found dead on June 2 at Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington.
The Decker girls and their mother Whitney Decker. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Decker has been sought by law enforcement since May 30.
What you can do:
The U.S. Marshals Service urges anyone with information on wanted fugitives to contact their nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshal Service Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit tips online at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
Possible Travis Decker sighting, WA triple-murder suspect, in Idaho
There has been a possible sighting of Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three daughters near a Leavenworth campground over a month ago, in Idaho. Fox 13's Shirah Matsuzawa joins from the newsroom with more information.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the US Marshals Service and previous FOX 13 Seattle reporting.