The U.S. Marshals task force has discontinued its search for Travis Decker, an alleged killer, in Idaho following a reported sighting approximately 500 miles from the location where his children were found murdered.
Authorities started searching Sawtooth National Forest area in central Idaho after a family reporting a man resembling Decker “exhibiting odd behavior” on an ATV trail during the Fourth of July weekend.
U.S. Marshals reported receiving a tip on July 5 from a family who claimed to have seen an individual in the Bear Creek area of the forest, matching Decker’s description. The Bear Creek area is situated southeast of Stanley and north of Fairfield.
The family said they saw a white male with tattoos, who appeared to stand between 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall. He had a ponytail and overgrown beard, while wearing a black mesh cap, a cream shirt, black gauge earrings, either “Converse or Vans low top shoes,” FOX 13 reports
U.S. Marshals Service Supervisory Deputy Michael Leigh confirmed Wednesday that authorities found the man, who turned out to be a cooperative hiker.
“Investigators interviewed the cooperative man and confirmed he was hiking in the Bear Creek area this past weekend,” Leigh said, adding that the area search had ended, according to AP News.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the Wenatchee Police Department said officers then discovered 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker dead near the Rock Island Campground on June 2.
Police suspect that Decker killed them during a planned visitation and then fled. Search teams continue to comb through wilderness in search of Decker, but can’t confirm yet whether he’s alive or whether he left the area.
AP News reports that the U.S. Marshals Service is actively pursuing Decker and also considering the possibility that he may have left the region. Extra patrols have been put in place to support the search efforts.
“Due to safety concerns, do not attempt to contact or approach Decker,” police previously said of Decker, who has extensive military training.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845, or submit information online at https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via Whitney Decker/Facebook]
