If you’ve been scrolling through true crime threads or checking local Washington news lately, there’s one question that keeps popping up: is Travis Decker still on the run? For months, the Pacific Northwest was on edge. People were double-locking their doors in Leavenworth and hikers were looking over their shoulders in the Enchantments. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you—a former Army infantryman with elite survival skills vanishes into the jagged wilderness of the Cascade Mountains after a horrific crime.
He was gone. Vanished.
But if you’re looking for him now, you can stop. The manhunt is over.
The Search for Travis Decker Ends
Honestly, the rumors that he’s still out there—maybe hiding in a cabin or living off-grid in Canada—are just that. Rumors.
On September 25, 2025, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office officially confirmed that Travis Decker is dead.
It wasn't a dramatic shootout or a high-speed chase. It was a discovery in the dirt. Search teams found human remains on a steep, wooded slope of Grindstone Mountain. This spot was actually less than a mile away from the Rock Island Campground, the very place where the bodies of his three daughters—Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia—were found back in June.
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Law enforcement used DNA evidence to make the call. They didn't just guess based on the clothes found at the scene (though those matched, too). The Washington State Crime Lab ran the tests and confirmed the bones belonged to Decker.
He’s not on the run. He’s been accounted for.
What Actually Happened in Chelan County?
The whole thing started on May 30, 2025. Decker was supposed to return his daughters to their mother, Whitney Decker, after a court-mandated visit. He never showed.
Three days later, deputies found his white GMC Sierra truck abandoned. Nearby, they found the girls. It’s a detail that’s hard to even write about: they had been bound with zip ties and killed by suffocation.
Because of Decker's background, police were terrified. He wasn't just some guy; he was an Army veteran who had served in Afghanistan. He had been a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. This guy knew how to disappear.
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For nearly four months, the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and local deputies scoured over 250 acres of some of the most brutal terrain in Washington. They used drones, K-9 units, and heat-seeking tech. At one point, there was a $20,000 reward for any info leading to his arrest.
Why People Thought He Was Still Alive
The reason people still ask is Travis Decker still on the run is because of how long he stayed missing.
He was a "survivalist." In the past, he’d lived off-grid for months at a time. During the search, there were sightings of a "lone hiker" in the Enchantments who looked ill-prepared but moved like a pro. A helicopter even spotted someone who ducked into the trees as soon as they heard the rotors.
That sparked a lot of "he’s definitely in Canada" theories.
Federal investigators even found search history on his devices for "how to move to Canada" and "jobs in Canada." It looked like a classic escape plan. But the wilderness is unforgiving, even for a Ranger.
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Key Timeline of the Case:
- May 30, 2025: Decker fails to return his daughters.
- June 2, 2025: The girls are found dead; the manhunt begins.
- August 2025: Major grid searches involving 100+ personnel turn up animal bones, but no Decker.
- September 18, 2025: Human remains and personal items are found on Grindstone Mountain.
- September 25, 2025: DNA confirms the remains are Travis Decker.
Closing the Case
Sheriff Mike Morrison didn't mince words when the DNA came back. He called it a "dark chapter" for the county.
While some people wanted to see him stand trial—to look him in the eye and ask why—the discovery of his body brought a different kind of closure. It meant the public was safe. No more worrying if the guy in the camo jacket at the trailhead was a triple-murderer.
The federal charges of "unlawful flight to avoid prosecution" were dropped shortly after the U.S. Marshals filed the paperwork declaring him deceased.
Next Steps for the Community
The focus has now shifted from the hunt to the healing. Local organizations in Wenatchee and the surrounding areas have been working to support the mother and the memory of the three sisters.
If you want to help or stay informed on how the community is moving forward, you can:
- Follow the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office social media pages for any final reports regarding the official cause of Decker's death.
- Support local domestic violence and victim advocacy groups like SAGE (Support, Advocacy & Resource Center) in Wenatchee, which often assists families in the wake of such tragedies.
- If you frequent the Icicle Road or Enchantments area, remain aware of your surroundings, though the active threat associated with this case is officially over.
The search is done. The questions about his whereabouts are answered. Travis Decker is no longer on the run.