Travis Decker Declared Dead by U.S. Marshals — But Is He Really?

Travis Decker’s case has taken a drastic turn. This week, the US Marshals Service submitted a court document stating that Decker had died. Based on this, federal prosecutors have requested that the accusations against him be dropped and the arrest warrant be canceled. But there’s a major problem. The local officials claim they have not confirmed anything yet.

Who Is Travis Decker?

Travis Decker is a guy from Washington State. He was wanted for the murders of his three young daughters: Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5). In early June 2025, he was meant to deliver the girls to their mother during a custody visit. But it did not happen. Instead, the three girls were discovered dead in a rural woodland. This location is not far from where Decker had brought them camping. Their deaths were judged as homicide by asphyxiation, which means they were smothered. Their wrists were bound, and their heads were wrapped in plastic bags.

The investigation is still going on

In mid-September, nearly three months after the killings, search crews discovered human remains in a hillside. This secluded mountain location is located at an elevation of around 4,000 feet. This is well above where the girls’ corpses were discovered. The finding came after a drone saw what seemed to be a green shirt. Similar to the one Decker has been photographed wearing previously. This led crews to a difficult region, where they discovered skeletal remains and some clothes.

U.S. Marshals Say Decker Is Dead

Shortly later, the remains were discovered. The United States Marshals Service informed federal prosecutors that they think the body belonged to Travis Decker. Based on this, prosecutors filed documents in court requesting that the criminal case be closed. They stated Decker had died. And there was no longer any purpose to keep the charges current.

Local Officials are not convinced

The sheriff of Chelan County, where this occurred, is not persuaded. Neither is the county coroner. They claim that no formal identification has been made yet.

Although yes, they discovered bones. Yes, the clothes and location indicate that it may be Decker. However, investigators cannot be certain until the remnants match his DNA or dental records. And they aren’t willing to call him dead without that proof.