Sheriff: "This is one step closer to certain justice" in discovery of human remains

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison speaks to reporters, Sept. 19.

The Chelan County Sheriff is confident, but it will be an analysis of  DNA to bring a nexus to the human remains found south of Leavenworth and the confirmation of the remains being those of Wenatchee murder suspect Travis Decker.

The new evidence was located in the Icicle Creek area south of Leavenworth.

"One of the things that really pointed us in the direction that (the investigation) went, was a psychologist that gave us some insight on what Travis Decker could possibly been thinking at the time,' Sheriff's Special Operations Chief Ryan Moody said. "She pointed us in the direction that we ended up finding him."

"Our search teams did locate an anomaly that was seen in AI imaging from our drones," said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. "From closer inspection we did see that it was potentially a shirt. We did get units on the ground that did confirm that the shirt was consistent in what we've seen in previous surveillance photos with Travis Decker. So, I'm confirming the shirt that we saw on the scene is a match from what Travis was last seen wearing. In addition to shorts, which were U.S. Ranger shorts, and also personal items to include chewing tobacco which is consistent with what he chewed, a bracelet which is consistent with what we've seen him wearing. We've since sent 'em off to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab."

After the initial discovery of the bones and clothing, believed to be those of Travis Decker, detectives continued a search of the area.

"We've found additional body parts to include two feet, some femurs. and also some vertebrae," the Sheriff added.

Gavin Duffy with the U.S. Marshalls’ office has confirmed that no firearm was found near the site of the new evidence.

"To see the look on the guys'  (detectives) faces when we were fairly sure that it was him, it was a feeling of relief," shared Chief Moody. "Most importantly it was, ya know, kind of a completion to all of the perseverance and all the blood, sweat and tears that they put into this. It's really gratifying to know that all the work, the emotion even, that they put into it is coming to fruition."