A new tip has sparked a large-scale search in Idaho for Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three young daughters during a visitation earlier this year.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, a family hiking in Sawtooth National Forest—east of Boise—reported seeing a man who closely resembled Decker in the Bear Creek area. The tip, received Sunday, July 7, described the individual as between 5’8″ and 5’10”, with an overgrown beard, ponytail, and wearing a black mesh cap, cream-colored T-shirt, black shorts, gauged black earrings, a Garmin watch, and low-top Converse or Vans shoes. He was also reportedly carrying a black JanSport backpack.
The sighting, if confirmed, would place Decker hundreds of miles from the Washington campground where the bodies of his daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5—were found on June 2 following a scheduled visit with their father.
Decker, 32, has been the subject of an intensive manhunt since then, with law enforcement agencies combing vast stretches of wilderness using K9 units, trackers, and surveillance in both Washington and neighboring states.
On June 23, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office said that despite exhaustive search efforts, they had found “no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in the area.” However, they noted they were continuing to follow up on every credible tip and lead, including this most recent report from Idaho.
Sawtooth National Forest, one of the largest national forests in the country, spans rugged terrain in central Idaho, making search operations especially difficult.
Authorities urge anyone who may have seen someone matching Decker’s description to avoid approaching him and to call 911 or contact Crime Stoppers immediately.
