Cops confirm Travis Decker’s shirt found as they probe suspected remains of dad wanted in daughters’ deaths
A shirt discovered near the suspected remains of Travis Decker has been confirmed to have been worn by the Army veteran wanted for the murder of his three young daughters. The grim discoveries made at the scene include additional body parts and personal items belonging to Decker.
Washington state and federal law enforcement officials utilized AI-powered drones to detect an anomaly near Icicle River drainage, less than a mile from where the bodies of Decker’s daughters were found in June. The clothing found at the scene matched that of their prime suspect.
Sheriff Mike Morrison confirmed at a news conference that the shirt found matched what Travis Decker was last seen wearing. Additional body parts, including two feet, femurs, and vertebrates, were also discovered at the site.
Investigators also found Army Ranger shorts, a bracelet known to be worn by Decker, and his preferred brand of chewing tobacco. DNA was extracted from the clothing found at the scene and is being compared to Decker’s blood samples.
Although there is no DNA confirmation that the remains belong to Decker, officials are hopeful that they have located the only suspect in the murder investigation. Genetic test results from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab will provide confirmation.
Chief Deputy US Marshal Gavin Duffy explained that the challenging terrain in the area made it difficult to locate the body sooner. The steep and rocky terrain posed significant obstacles for search teams.
Travis Decker is suspected of murdering his three daughters on June 2, with Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, found with plastic bags tied over their heads near their father’s truck. The homeless veteran took the girls from their mother Whitney’s home, who described him as quieter than usual on the day he picked them up.
Decker’s mental health had deteriorated significantly after leaving active duty with the elite US Army Rangers, according to lawyers representing Whitney Decker. The manhunt for Decker was described as the largest in the county’s history by Sheriff Morrison, who labeled the crime as the county’s most heinous.
