Authorities in central Washington are still searching for Travis Decker, the fugitive Army veteran accused of killing his three young daughters in June. Nearly three months after the children’s bodies were discovered near a campground in Chelan County, federal and local officials are redoubling their efforts, with the FBI closing roads and trails in the region to comb for evidence.
At a press conference on Monday, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison emphasized the scope of the renewed operation, describing it as “abundantly thorough.” He said over 100 FBI agents are involved in the search, which is centered on a quarter-mile radius around the Rock Island Campground — the site where Decker’s truck and his daughters’ bodies were found on June 2.
“We will not relent. We will not give up,” Morrison told reporters. “The girls would not want us to give up.”
The three victims — Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5 — were reported missing on May 30 after leaving home to visit their father. Days later, their remains were discovered near the campground. Decker, 32, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping, but has eluded authorities ever since.
The U.S. Forest Service announced Sunday that Rock Island Campground, along with two others nearby, would be closed to the public. A number of trailheads and roads are also shut down, and officials say the closures could last through the week if investigators need more time. Only law enforcement, firefighters, and others with special permits will be allowed into the area.
Sheriff Morrison acknowledged the search is grueling but expressed confidence that Decker cannot evade capture forever. “He’s got to be perfect every single day; we just have to be perfect once,” he said.
The latest push comes a week after investigators released new information linking Decker directly to the killings through DNA evidence. The details, officials said, reinforce their view that he acted alone.
The FBI and local law enforcement have not said whether they believe Decker is still alive. “If he is, he must be pretty tired by now,” Morrison remarked.
The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker’s arrest. Authorities caution that he is considered armed and dangerous and urge anyone with information to call 911 immediately rather than approach him.
For Morrison and his deputies, the search is not just about justice but about closure. “We want to bring answers,” the sheriff said. “If it’s not me wearing this uniform, it’ll be another Chelan County sheriff. We will find him, in one fashion or another.”





