Categories: U.S.

Fugitive dad wanted for alleged triple murder possibly spotted as massive police response ends empty-handed

close Video

Dashcam footage shows accused murderer Travis Decker days before his daughters’ killings

Travis Decker is seen on police dashcam video following a minor car accident three days before his three daughters were found dead in a Washington campsite, sparking a manhunt for the survivalist father. (Credit: Wenatchee Police Department) 

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Washington authorities launched a large-scale search for the missing survivalist father wanted for his alleged connection to the murders of his three daughters after receiving a tip reporting a potential sighting of the man. 

The King County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible sighting of Travis Decker near Washington’s Snoqualmie Pass and Pacific Crest Trail, located approximately 55 miles from Seattle, FOX 13 reported. 

A community member reportedly called authorities at around 6 p.m. on Friday to report the possible sighting. Police then deployed a large number of deputies, along with TAC-30, and K-9 units in response to the report, according to FOX 13. Neighboring agencies were also reportedly notified. 

Approximately three hours later, authorities called off the search without locating Decker. 

INNOCENT HIKER MISTAKEN FOR FUGITIVE DAD ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS THREE DAUGHTERS

Travis Decker is accused of murdering his three daughters before disappearing into the Washington wilderness.  (Chelan County Sheriff’s Office)

The update comes after the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, which initiated the search for Decker, previously announced the department is scaling back its manhunt efforts in response to a decrease in tips from community members. 

Last month, a tipster called in a potential sighting of Decker while visiting Idaho’s Sawtooth Forest. However, the tip proved to be a false alarm after authorities located the man thought to be Decker. 

MANHUNT FOR SUSPECTED WASHINGTON KILLER DAD GOES COLD IN IDAHO AFTER FALSE ALARM SIGHTING

This undated photo provided by Whitney Decker shows Paityn, Olivia and Evelyn Decker.  (Whitney Decker via AP)

The 33-year-old father has been missing for over two months after the bodies of his three daughters – Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, – were found at Rock Island Campground on June 2. 

The girls’ mother had reported them missing three days earlier after they did not return home following a court-mandated custody visit with their father. Days later, the girls’ bodies were found just steps away from Decker’s abandoned pickup truck with their hands bound and plastic bags over their heads

Decker, a military-trained survivalist and former member of the U.S. Army, was nowhere to be found, sparking an expansive manhunt by numerous local, state and federal agencies – including the U.S. Marshals Service and Border Patrol’s Tactical Unit.

TRAIL GROWS COLD IN MANHUNT FOR SURVIVALIST FATHER AS AUTHORITIES REACH BREAKING POINT: ‘I’M STILL ANGRY’

The U.S. Marshals Service released new photos detailing the challenging and extensive search for Travis Decker, accused of killing his three daughters. (U.S. Marshals Service)

Authorities warn that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous but insist they have no reason to believe he is a threat to public safety. He is charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Decker’s arrest.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

The King County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to julia.bonavita@fox.com.

Share

Recent Posts

Russian volcano erupts for first time in centuries after massive earthquake strikes Kamchatka Peninsula

close Video Russian volcano Krasheninnikov spews ash miles into the sky Russian volcano Krasheninnikov erupted…

4 minutes ago

Microsoft SharePoint bug puts critical government agencies at risk

Hackers are actively exploiting a new zero-day bug in Microsoft's SharePoint Server software. The same…

2 hours ago

Australian state rolls out machete ‘disposal bins’ ahead of ban

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for August 2 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago

Inside the deadly ‘suburban nightmare’ that shattered a Connecticut family’s world

close Video Author weighs in on case surrounding Jennifer Dulos' disappearance Richard Cohen, author of…

4 hours ago

Cincinnati beatdown victim reveals ‘very bad brain trauma’ in first remarks since viral assault

close Video Viral Cincinnati brawl witness describes the scene of the brutal fight Jay Black,…

4 hours ago

Meta deletes 10 million Facebook accounts this year, but why?

Facebook, being a platform used by billions, is flooded with all kinds of accounts. However,…

4 hours ago