New area of focus in search for Wenatchee murder suspect

Ingalls Creek trail. Photo courtesy: AllTrails.

New information was shared Monday night in the search for the father of three girls, who is a suspect in their deaths.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has issued a community alert. Law enforcement is searching for murder suspect Travis Decker around Peshastin, particularly the area of Ingalls Creek and Valley Hi. The Sheriff’s Office reported that Decker is potentially in this area. Detectives ask residents to secure homes and vehicles, stay alert, and report any suspicious activity to 911.

Chelan County Undersheriff Dan Ozment said Sunday that federal agents have taken over command of the investigation into the whereabouts of Decker, to give local law enforcement brief time off.

Ozment said detectives have uncovered new information from evidence found at the crime scene, near the Rock Island Campground, west of Leavenworth.

Blood samples taken from the scene have come back positive for belonging to a male.  A second sample was not human blood. DNA and fingerprint analyses continues.

Undersheriff Ozment noted that during any criminal investigation there is law enforcement sensitive information that is not shared with the public in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

While local detectives and first responders to the ongoing investigation take some well-deserved time away from the case, the Supervisor of the Chelan County Behavioral Health Unit has been mindful of the officers' well being.

"Some have been working 90-plus hours in the last week," said Ana Gonzalez. "Not only does it (the investigation) take a physical tax, and an emotional tax, and you have to think about not just the things that they're seeing but they're also missing home. The blessing and the curse is that they're trying to bring some closure to this case, they're also not in the processing stage as the rest of the community has had maybe the ability to do so."

The Behavioral Health Unit is hosting a workshop at the Chelan Fire Station beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night to support citizens with ways to navigate grief and loss.

Guest speaker is Julie Boyer, the executive director of Pacific Northwest Support Services, who specializes in training first responders on grief, trauma and pediatric deaths.

A similar presentation will be offered at East Wenatchee City Hall Wednesday night.

Map of new area of interest near Ingalls Creek and Valley Hi.