More than a month into the hunt for murder suspect Travis Decker, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison has shared new information that raises worrying issues: Was the 32-year-old Army veteran killed in the wilds of Washington after sustaining an injury? The sheriff now claims that it’s “possible” that Decker didn’t run very far; instead, he fell or got hurt, which eventually infected and killed him.
After not returning his three daughters, Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9, from their scheduled court-approved visit in Wenatchee, Washington, Decker went missing on May 30. The bodies of the girls were found choked close to Rock Island Campground on June 2, as authorities found Travis Decker’s abandoned truck.
There had been no sign of Travis Decker. However, a blood “fingerprint” smear on the truck’s tailgate was found by investigators; this trace was later confirmed to be his DNA.
Even though a fellow hiker claimed to have seen Decker on June 10, the trail is now abandoned.
Sheriff Morrison is among those who think his survivalist instincts might not have been enough, whereas some believe that he could have fled toward Canada, maybe on foot.
Sheriff’s New Infection Theory About Travis Decker
If Decker is dead, “it would’ve been from falling; an injury maybe got infected to the point where it did cause him (…) further issues or he drowned,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison reiterated in an exclusive interview with People. If Decker is ever found dead, a thorough autopsy will be done to figure out his legal cause of death, Morrison added.
Also, the sheriff denied speculation on the internet that law enforcement is looking for former Army member Travis Decker with dangerous intent. Morrison said, “We’re making sure to bring him in safe and care for him. (…) If he is injured, we’ll make sure he gets medical attention and if he’s deceased, we’re gonna investigate it and determine a cause of death.”
Travis Caleb Decker is wanted by the U.S. Marshals. There is a Rapidly Advancing Manhunt program to expedite the fugitive’s location and apprehension near Leavenworth, Washington. To submit a tip go to https://t.co/6bFURsjrOY.#USMarshals #USMarshalsWanted pic.twitter.com/ntDZWTXSHu
— U.S. Marshals Service (@USMarshalsHQ) July 3, 2025
The area around Rock Island Campground is harsh and wild. Helicopters, dive teams, and cadaver detection dogs have been combing the nearby forests, rivers, and trails, but no sign of Travis Decker has popped up. The blood found at the scene, per investigators, suggests that the man was hurt either before or after the girls succumbed.
But it is still hard to say what the extent of that injury was and how easily it might have led to his death.
How Did A Veteran Spiral From “Girl Dad” to Killer?
According to his family, friends, and neighbors, Travis Decker used to be the ultimate “girl dad.” His young daughters were his happiness and pride, and they were frequently seen together when they went camping or hiking. But Decker’s behavioral issues took a recorded turn after his time in the military, which included an assignment with the Army Rangers in Afghanistan.
Arianna Cozart, Whitney Decker’s lawyer, claimed that Travis Decker reached out to the VA and the Veterans Crisis Line, adding that “he seemed to suffer from PTSD.” “He tried to get help.” Decker appeared to keep on getting worse in spite of numerous efforts, such as a recent custody change that banned staying overnight.
He had begun to live in his RV by the spring of 2025 and had been thinking about finding a new home for his dog.
Mom of 3 girls allegedly murdered by dad Travis Decker makes first public comments: ‘They were incredible’ https://t.co/ZeygQ33Hq6 pic.twitter.com/N8GSGh51q6
— New York Post (@nypost) June 24, 2025
When Decker picked up his girls on May 30, he was messy, according to neighbor Binh Nguyen. “He was skinny. He had long hair and a beard,” Nguyen said to People.
The girls would not return after that visit.
Whitney Decker recalled her three daughters as “incredible” and bright during a memorial service held in Wenatchee on June 20. Her fight is still going on right now, not just for answers but also for ways to improve the Amber Alert system and supply veterans with psychological help. It’s still unknown if Travis Decker drowned, died from an infected wound, or is in hiding.
RELATED: Expert Explains Why Travis Decker, Who Allegedly Killed His 3 Daughters, Could Still be Alive
