https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/08/travis-decker-manhunt-idaho-sawtooth-national-forest/84502854007/

Federal agents in Idaho are investigating at least two tips about recent reported sightings of fugitive Travis Decker, wanted on three counts of first-degree murder in connection the late May killings of his three daughters ages 5, 8 and 9.

The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force in a release issued on Sunday, July 6 asked for help from anyone who visited the Sawtooth National Forest over the weekend, particularly in the Bear Creek area where Decker may have hitchhiked to.

The park, about 110 miles southeast of Boise, spans more than 2.1 million acres across Idaho and through Utah.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office found the sister's bodies at a campsite near Leavenworth, Washington in the midafternoon of June 2. The site is about 575 miles from where the victims were found slain.

U.S. Marshals Senior Deputy Marshal Lee, while based in Boise, told KCPQ-TV of a tip from a family visiting Bear Creek on July 5 consistent with the description of Decker.

"They described his tattoos pretty accurately, and it is believed they had not seen previously pictures of those tattoos," Lee told the outlet. "And since putting out the media releases we've received additional tips that corroborated the eyewitnesses' encounter with potentially Travis Decker. He did not make eye contact.... was spotted on an ATV trail."

His demeanor and the area he was in, consisting of rugged terrain, made the tip suspicious.

"It's pretty hard to navigate those areas," Lee said, as the hunt there continued on Tuesday, July 8.

Eric Toms, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal with the District of Boise, told ABC7 Chicago the agency received another tip from the public following the statement the task force released Sunday. According to the federal agency, U.S. Marshals are "evaluating each tip."

“This morning we began our joint search with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force, Camas County Sheriff’s Office of areas believed to be accessible to a person in Decker’s condition,” Toms wrote in a press release issued Monday obtained by the Idaho Capital Sun. “We are canvassing local residents/campers and people in the area recreating. Decker has a history of hitchhiking ... we would like to encourage the public to not pick up any hitchhikers.”

In addition to the U.S. Marshals, law enforcement at the local and state levels continue to hunt Decker, a former U.S. Army member wanted on kidnapping and murder charges in the brutal killings of Olivia Decker, 5; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Paityn Decker, 9.

Officials: Travis Decker has history of hitchhiking

New pictures taken of the person who may be Decker also showed the man spotted with ungroomed facial hair.

Witnesses described the person as a white male, standing about 5’8”-5”10, with a long ponytail, a beard and an overgrown mustache. Officials said he reportedly wore a black mesh cap, black gauged earrings, cream colored T-shirt, black shorts black Garmin style watch, either Converse or Vans low top shoes and a black Jan Sport backpack.

In Idaho, the U.S. Marshals began their joint search with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force and Camas County Sheriff’s Office in areas where Decker may be.

Oher local law enforcement agencies including U.S. Border Patrol continued to search the area on July 8, officials said, with what Lee called, "additional assets scheduled to deploy there."

In addition to area homes, crews said they are searching campers and speaking with others in the forest area.

Where were Decker girls last seen?

At the time they died, the sisters lived with their mother Whitney Decker in Wenatchee, a city in Chelan County about 150 miles east of Seattle.

The mom reported the children missing May 30 after the siblings left their home for a planned custody visit with their father, the Wenatchee Police Department reported. The girls were found dead in Chelan County near the campsite close to Leavenworth three days later.

A decline in tips

Decker was last seen alive with the children on May 30, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said, and the sheriff's office joined the hunt on June 2 when officials found the girls' bodies.

Since then, officials have deployed cadaver dogs and a mountaineer team in the hunt. Agencies from at least seven counties surrounding Chelan County have joined the chase covering 2,900 square miles. Morrison previously told USA TODAY search parties have covered hundreds of square miles across multiple states, including Oregon and also checked internationally in Canada, Morrison said.

Morrison said law enforcement has faced environmental challenges while hunting the fugitive, highlighting not only rugged terrain, but harsh conditions teams have battled. In some areas, snow was still on the ground.

"We can’t ’get into the river yet because of spring runoff," Morrison said of Icicle River, which flows along Rock Island Campground.

McLeod said officials are waiting for the water to recede which sheriff's office Forest Deputy Mike McLeod last week told USA TODAY won't happen until later in July.

In addition to environmental challenges, Morrison said a recent decline in tips in the case has hindered finding Decker. There's also the possibility Decker is dead, the sheriff said.

"Tips have slowed but the U.S. Marshals are still on the ground with us," Morrison said. "Clearly it’s looking more like the probability he’s deceased. It’s possible, but for now we’re presuming he is still alive."

How did Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker die?

A preliminary report from a medical examiner found the children died as a result of homicide from suffocation.

Their bodies were found lifeless with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied near their father's truck, court filings obtained by USA TODAY show.

Before disappearing, their father was homeless and staying primarily in his truck in the Wenatchee area. Investigators said the man exhibited mental health issues before the girls' killings, according to the court papers.

What does Travis Decker look like?

Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8" and weighing 190 pounds.

At the time he disappeared he was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.

Travis Decker, of Washington state, is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder and custodial interference after authorities found the bodies of his three daughters on June 2, 2025, near his unoccupied vehicle by the Rock Island Campground.

Authorities said Decker "may pose a significant risk, if approached."

A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

Anyone who sees Decker or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information at https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip.

Tipsters can also call the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-800-336-0102 or submit a tip online at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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