Sheriff, Coroner await DNA test results to confirm fate of murderer

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency in the search for the Wenatchee man, believed to have murdered his three young daughters in May, leaving their bodies near the Rock Island Campground.

Human remains thought to be those of suspect Travis Decker, found in a heavily wooded area near Icicle Creek, south of Leavenworth, were discovered Sept. 18.

“We were able to get units (of law enforcement officers) on the ground that did confirm that the shirt (found among the remains) was consistent in what we’ve seen in previous surveillance photos with Travis Decker, so I am confirming that the shirt we saw on the scene is a match with what Travis was last seen wearing,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison, Sept. 19. “In addition to shorts; they were also a match, and also personal items to include chewing tobacco which was consistent what he had chewed, a bracelet which was consistent with what we had seen him wearing. Collecting those items we have since sent them off to the Washington State Patrol’s Crime Lab.”

The State Patrol last reported that they hoped to have a DNA analysis completed by next week.

Earlier this week the U.S. Marshals’ Service reportedly filed court documents indicating that Decker is deceased.

At this time, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is not in a position to make a positive identification or confirmation of Mr. Decker's status,” Sheriff Morrison said in an email on Wednesday. “We are currently awaiting DNA test results from the state Crime Lab, which are expected to be returned within the next few days. Once the DNA results are confirmed, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office will hold a press conference to share findings and address any questions from the media and public. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the accuracy and integrity of this investigation.”

Other agencies can speak about their investigation into Mr. Decker and locating human remains, and can state that based on circumstantial evidence that the remains located are his,” said Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris. ”We must rely on scientific methods to establish positive identification.  Those methods include, DNA, fingerprints, dental or skeletal radiographs, or visual identification. With that in mind, the skeletal remains that were recovered were turned over to our office.  We then transported those remains to the state forensic anthropologist for his evaluation.  He is providing a sample for DNA comparison.”

With the assistance of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab is going to expedite the testing of a sample of the bones to establish a positive DNA match, Harris added. “Bear in mind, that the cause and manner of death may never be known.”