Chelan County coroner: Travis Decker's cause of death 'may never be known' after remains identified
Human remains recovered on a steep, remote slope of Grindstone Mountain, less than a mile from the campsite where his three daughters (ages 9, 8 and 5) were found in June, were DNA‑matched to fugitive father Travis Decker after investigators recovered bone fragments, clothing and personal items. Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris said only minimal skeletal remains were recovered and the cause, manner and time of Decker’s death "may never be known," and prosecutors moved to dismiss federal charges after the U.S. Marshals were told he was dead while local officials said they would await DNA confirmation.
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📰 Sources (8)
Travis Decker's cause of death "may never be known," coroner says
New information:
- Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris said the 'cause and manner' of Travis Decker's death and the time of death 'may never be known.'
- The coroner's office reported only 'minimal skeletal remains' were recovered, leaving nothing suitable for a traditional autopsy.
- The only examination performed so far was by a forensic anthropologist, limiting conclusions about cause/manner/time.
- CBS News quotes the coroner directly and confirms DNA testing previously matched the remains to Decker.
Fugitive dad Travis Decker confirmed dead as DNA matches remains found in Washington state: officials
New information:
- Spokane County Sheriff's Office dive team recovered a key fob in Icicle Creek that helped direct search teams to the area.
- Investigators recovered personal items at the Grindstone Mountain site — a shirt, pair of shorts, bracelet and chewing tobacco — consistent with belonging to Travis Decker and sent remains to the Washington State Crime Lab for DNA testing.
- Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison is quoted confirming a positive DNA match and framing the discovery as bringing closure to the case.
- Article reiterates specifics of the original crime scene: girls (Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; Olivia, 5) found at Rock Island Campground on June 2 with plastic bags and zip ties; autopsy determined suffocation.
Human remains identified as Travis Decker, wanted for killing his daughters
New information:
- DNA tests on clothing and on recovered remains matched Travis Decker, confirming the identity of the remains.
- Remains located on a steep, remote wooded slope on Grindstone Mountain, less than a mile from the campsite where the three girls' bodies were found.
- Sheriff Mike Morrison publicly commented and apologized to the girls' mother and said investigators sought to honor the girls' memory; coroner continuing to determine cause and timing of Decker's death.
Feds declare Travis Decker dead as they drop case, but sheriff still waiting for DNA on fugitive dad
New information:
- Prosecutors filed to dismiss the federal unlawful-flight charge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
- Chelan County Sheriff’s Office says human remains were found in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth and DNA confirmation is pending from the state Crime Lab.
- Sheriff Mike Morrison publicly said the U.S. Marshals 'jumped the gun' in seeking dismissal and that charges will not be dropped until DNA is confirmed.
- Clothing found near the remains were similar to what Decker had been wearing when he disappeared; multiple federal and local agencies participated in the search (U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the FBI).
Travis Decker, accused of killing 3 daughters, declared dead by U.S. Marhsals
New information:
- Prosecutors have moved to drop charges against Travis Decker after the U.S. Marshals Service informed them Decker is dead.
- Remains believed to be Decker were found Sept. 18, 2025, in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth, Washington; bone fragments, clothing and personal items were recovered.
- Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said the site was off‑trail, required about a three‑hour hike to reach, and DNA testing on the remains is pending.
Federal prosecutor says Travis Decker, wanted in the deaths of 3 daughters, is dead
New information:
- Court filing name: U.S. Attorney S. Peter Serrano is identified as filing a document noting the U.S. Marshals advised prosecutors that Decker is dead.
- Location detail: remains believed to be Decker’s were found in a remote wooded area of central Washington 'last week'.
- Background details: article provides Decker’s military service dates (March 2013–July 2021) and a 2014 Afghanistan deployment, plus reporting that he had lived out of his truck and once spent months living off-grid.
- Victim/autopsy specifics reiterated: daughters’ ages (9, 8, 5), autopsy ruled suffocation, and they were bound with zip ties with plastic bags over their heads.
Human remains found in search of fugitive accused of killing his 3 daughters
New information:
- Sheriff’s statement phrased as 'preliminary findings suggest the remains belong to Travis Decker,' with positive ID still pending.
- Background detail: earlier this month, bones found during a search were determined not to be human after FBI review.
- Background specifics reiterated: victims’ ages (9, 8, 5), zip‑tie bindings, and autopsy finding of suffocation.
- Prior investigative details: DNA testing previously confirmed Decker as the sole suspect; photos showing possible appearance changes were released in June; reward up to $20,000.
Travis Decker's remains believed to be located by Washington officials: sheriff's office
New information:
- Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced preliminary identification; DNA testing pending
- Remains located Thursday night on Grindstone Mountain, south of Leavenworth, WA
- Search led by U.S. Marshals PNW Violent Offender Task Force with FBI, state and local partners
- Decker was accused of killing his three daughters and disappearing months ago
- Site is a few miles from where the girls were found, sheriff told KIRO 7