Travis Decker, Wanted for Daughters' Murders, Confirmed Dead in Washington State
Human remains in Washington state are identified as Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted for the suffocation deaths of his three daughters, concluding a three-month search.
Remains found in Washington ID’d as accused child killer Travis Decker
New York Daily News
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- Human remains discovered in Washington state were positively identified through DNA as Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted for the murder of his three daughters.
- Authorities had been searching for Decker for over three months since his daughters were found dead in early June, with his remains located near their discovery site.
- Autopsy results confirmed the girls died from suffocation, having been bound with zip ties and found with plastic bags placed over their heads.
- Evidence found on Decker's truck, including zip ties, plastic bags, and a bloody fingerprint, further linked him to the circumstances of his daughters' deaths.
- The extensive three-month manhunt for Decker, involving over 100 officials, was complicated by his head start and difficult terrain, ultimately leading to the discovery of his remains.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story with a neutral and factual approach, focusing on the identification of human remains and the resolution of a tragic case. They prioritize clear reporting of events, including the discovery, the search efforts, and the background of the perpetrator and victims, without employing loaded language or overt emotional appeals.
"The confirmation came exactly one week after officials located human remains and a green T-shirt the father fugitive was last seen wearing, in a wooded area of Washington state."
USA TODAY"Forensic tests confirmed that human remains found on a remote mountain in Washington state this month were those of Travis Decker, a former soldier wanted for killing his three young daughters last spring, officials confirmed Thursday."
Associated PressArticles (5)
FAQ
The three daughters died from suffocation. They had been bound with zip ties and had plastic bags placed over their heads.
The manhunt lasted over three months and involved more than 100 officials. Challenges included Decker's head start, difficult terrain with heavy vegetation, and the remote wilderness environment.
Evidence found on Decker's truck included zip ties, plastic bags, and a bloody fingerprint, which linked him to the circumstances of his daughters' deaths.
Travis Decker was a former Army infantryman with survival and navigation training. His ex-wife reported that his mental health had worsened, describing him as increasingly unstable and often living out of his truck shortly before the murders.
Human remains were discovered near the site where the daughters were found. DNA analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Travis Decker, ending the three-month search for him.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.