Manhunt Intensifies: Travis Decker Reportedly Sighted Near Snoqualmie Pass
A massive search operation launched on the Pacific Crest Trail near Snoqualmie Pass following a possible sighting of accused killer Travis Decker, wanted in the murders of his three daughters.
A large-scale manhunt intensified Friday, August 1, 2025, near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, after a community tip reported a possible sighting of Travis Decker on the Pacific Crest Trail. The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) immediately launched a robust response, deploying drones, K9 teams, and its Guardian One helicopter to comb the mountainous terrain.
The intensive search operation follows weeks of reduced activity by other law enforcement agencies in the search for Decker, who is charged with the murder and kidnapping of his three young daughters.
Immediate Response to New Leads
On August 1, 2025, around 6 p.m., the King County Sheriff’s Office received a crucial tip. A community member believed they had seen Decker near the prominent Snoqualmie Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail. A KCSO spokesperson confirmed the immediate deployment: “As locating Decker is a priority, KCSO dispatched multiple patrol units along with TAC-30, K-9 Units, and Guardian 1 to aid in the search. Neighboring law enforcement agencies were notified as well. This is still an active scene, and information will be provided when available.”
This surge in resources marks a significant shift from the previous week. In late July 2025, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) had announced a “reduced footprint” in the search due to a decrease in leads and tips regarding Decker’s whereabouts. Detectives, however, continued to assess evidence and pursue new investigative avenues, maintaining focus on the Blewett Pass and Enhancements area between Chelan and Kittitas counties. Initial intelligence gathered in Chelan County had been deemed inconclusive.
The Tragic Case of the Decker Daughters
The widespread search for Travis Decker, 32, began after the horrific discovery of his daughters’ bodies on June 2, 2025. Five-year-old Olivia Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 9-year-old Paityn Decker were found deceased at a campground near Leavenworth. The girls had been reported missing on May 30, 2025, after Decker failed to return them to their mother as part of their court-ordered visitation arrangement.
The Chelan County medical examiner later determined the cause of death for all three girls was suffocation, classifying the manner of death as homicide. Investigators discovered the bodies approximately 75 to 100 yards from Decker’s vehicle at the Rock Island Campground. Court documents reveal the presence of zip ties and plastic bags scattered in the area, with the girls’ wrists zip-tied or appearing to have been zip-tied, and each found with a bag over her head.
DNA Evidence and Federal Charges
A pivotal development in the case occurred on July 1, 2025, when the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced that a bloody fingerprint found on the tailgate of the truck at the Leavenworth campground matched the DNA profile believed to be Travis Decker’s. Further analysis by the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed on July 15, 2025, that DNA samples from other items believed to belong to Decker, collected from the scene on June 2, also matched the blood samples on the truck’s tailgate. DNA links Travis Decker to crime scene where his 3 young daughters’ bodies were found.
Decker faces severe charges, including three counts of murder and three counts of kidnapping. Federal prosecutors have also charged him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Court documents indicate that in the days leading up to his daughters’ kidnapping, Decker conducted internet searches on phrases such as “how does a person move to Canada,” “how to relocate to Canada,” and “jobs Canada.”
An Elusive Fugitive with Specialized Skills
Since the crime, local, state, and federal resources have meticulously scoured Chelan and Kittitas counties in the expansive Travis Decker search. The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has reported that dozens of agencies and organizations, hundreds of personnel, and thousands of hours have been dedicated to the search effort. Despite the extensive efforts, KCSO officials have stated there is no definitive proof that Decker is still alive.
Authorities have noted Decker’s background as an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021, including a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. This military experience provided him with training in navigation, survival, and other relevant skills. Law enforcement officials have also pointed out that Decker once spent more than two months living off the grid in backwoods areas, suggesting a capability for sustained evasion in challenging wilderness environments like the Pacific Crest Trail.
A reward of up to $20,000 is currently being offered for information that directly leads to Decker’s arrest. The recent reported sighting near Snoqualmie Pass has reignited hopes of apprehending the accused killer and bringing a measure of closure to the tragic Chelan County murders. Decker criminal charges.
