A month after Army veteran Travis Decker allegedly killed his three young daughters during a scheduled custody visit, the search for him continues in the forests of Washington State.
Now, a law enforcement expert has explained why he believes Decker is still alive and actively evading capture.
Law Enforcement Expert Believes Decker Is Still on the Run
Former Massachusetts state trooper and security analyst Todd McGhee told ABC News that one critical factor points toward Decker’s continued survival: cadaver dogs have not detected any signs of a body in the extensive searches around Chelan County.
"Canines are trained to look for cadavers and sniff for those types of odors, so he's still maybe on the move," McGhee explained.
McGhee believes Decker’s survival skills and military background could allow him to stay hidden for a significant time while he decides whether to turn himself in.
"He'll eventually have to surface through seeking shelter, seeking food, nutrition — those types of things will require him to come out of hiding and, to some degree, expose himself to the general public," he added.
Based on the information available, McGhee said: "I'm confident that something should reveal itself as far as a resolution as to where his existence is and hopefully a capture and an arrest."
What Happened to Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker?
On May 30, Decker picked up his daughters - Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5 - for what was meant to be a three-hour visitation. When he did not return them home, their mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing.
The girls’ bodies were found on June 2 near Decker’s white GMC Sierra truck at Rock Island Campground in Chelan County. According to court documents, each child had a plastic bag placed over her head, and their wrists were zip-tied.
An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death was suffocation, and the deaths were ruled homicides.
At a memorial service on June 20, Whitney remembered her daughters’ bright spirits.
“I'm so thankful for that time I had with the girls,” she continued. “When the world slowed down, it gave me an inside look at their day.”
She added that these open discussions allowed them to "connect" on a deeper level. “I believe doing this with them allowed them to come into the world with open hearts and kindness.”
She closed her remarks by thanking the community for its overwhelming support: “I truly hope that the legacy of the girls’ lives lives on in everyone’s heart forever. They were incredible.”
Decker’s Military Background Complicates the Manhunt
Decker served in Afghanistan and has been described as having advanced survival training, including navigation in rugged environments and extended living off the grid. According to an affidavit from a deputy US Marshal, Decker previously lived in the backwoods for up to 2.5 months.
Before the murders, Decker had reportedly searched online for information about moving to Canada, and his abandoned truck was found near the Pacific Crest Trail, which leads to the Canadian border.
Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said authorities have worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to pursue leads, while Kittitas County Sheriff Clay Myers vowed, “We can’t and won’t quit this search. Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice.”
The manhunt began with helicopters, drones, and ground teams sweeping the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. While early leads gave hope, they have since dwindled, and the US Marshals Service has taken the lead while local agencies continue to process evidence.
On June 24, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged, “At this time, there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area.” However, McGhee’s assessment that Decker may still be alive keeps the possibility of his capture active.
A Mother’s Call for Justice
For Whitney Decker, the lack of closure has deepened her grief. Her attorney, Arianna Cozart, told NewsNation that Whitney wants Decker found “dead or alive.”
“That’s a huge, a huge thing that she wants,” Cozart said. “It’s very, very important to her so that she can have peace.”
Cozart added that Whitney believes systemic failures, including the handling of Decker’s mental health challenges and PTSD, contributed to the tragedy.
“The courts didn’t fail these girls. It wasn’t the judge and it wasn’t Whitney; it was our system,” Cozart said. “[Whitney] feels like the system really let Travis down.”
What Happens Next?
Decker, described as 5'8" with black hair and brown eyes, is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping.
Authorities warn the public not to approach him if seen and consider him a “significant risk” due to his background and the severity of the charges against him.
Anyone with information is urged to call 911 immediately.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody impacted by this tragedy.