DNA testing has confirmed that the fugitive father accused of killing his three daughters at a campground in Washington State in June is the sole suspect wanted in connection with the case, authorities said Tuesday.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that DNA profiles matching that of Travis Decker, 32, were found on the plastic bags that were allegedly used to suffocate Evelyn, 8, Paityn, 9, and Olivia Decker, 5. Authorities say Decker was due to return the girls to their mother after taking them on May 30 for a visitation.
The three girls were found at the Rock Island Campground along Icicle Creek on June 2 with the bags over their heads. The sheriff’s office said cable ties were found at the scene near the bodies. Autopsies carried out in early June found the cause of death was suffocation as a result of homicide.
The Washington State Crime Lab made the DNA connection on Aug.6, the sheriff’s office said, from analyzing the plastic bags and cable ties. No other DNS profiles were found.
“The completion of this DNA analysis provides additional evidence that indicates Travis Decker is the only suspect involved in committing these homicides,” the release said.
Authorities still don’t know where Decker is, however, nor even whether he is alive or dead. State and federal agencies continue attempts to locate him.
U.S Marshals in Idaho abandoned the search of the woodland there last month after a possible sighting turned out to be a false alarm.
The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Travis Decker’s arrest.
The sheriff’s office reiterated a previous warning that the suspect “should be considered armed and dangerous.” Anyone who spots him should call 911, it said.
Anyone with information can contact the U.S. Marshals office at 1-800-336-0102 or USMS Tips.
