Forest Search for Travis Decker Called Off After Idaho Officials Identify Lookalike Hiker

Federal Authorities End Idaho Forest Search After Mistaken Identity in Travis Decker Manhunt

Federal officials have provided an update following a recent sighting of a man resembling Travis Decker — the missing father accused of killing his three young daughters over a month ago.

On Wednesday, July 9, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed they had located the individual spotted by a family in the Bear Creek area of Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest. However, Supervisory Deputy Michael Leigh clarified in an email to PEOPLE that the man was not Decker.

According to the media release, “The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force located the man multiple witnesses saw at the Sawtooth National Forest who was believed to be Travis Decker.”

The hiker matched Decker’s general description — similar height, weight, dark features, a beard, and tattoos on his arm and calf. Investigators interviewed the cooperative man and confirmed he had been hiking in the Bear Creek area over the weekend.

The release added, “At this time, law enforcement has stopped searching for Decker at the Sawtooth National Forest and has begun to demobilize their resources.” Officials also thanked the public and everyone involved in the search efforts.

Authorities have been searching for Decker since the tragic deaths of his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, whose bodies were found on June 2.

The manhunt continues as law enforcement refocuses efforts elsewhere in the ongoing investigation.

Two Girls Found Deceased in Chelan County, Washington; Autopsy Confirms Homicide by Suffocation

Authorities discovered two girls deceased at approximately 3:45 p.m. local time near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, according to a statement from the Wenatchee Police Department on Tuesday, June 3. The girls had not been seen since leaving for a planned visitation with their father on Friday, May 30. Their father’s car was found near the campground, which prompted the search and subsequent discovery.

On Monday, June 9, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press release to PEOPLE that an autopsy had been conducted by the medical examiner. The autopsy determined that the cause of death was suffocation and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Further developments emerged regarding a possible sighting connected to the case. On Saturday, July 5, a family camping in Sawtooth National Forest reported seeing a man matching the description of the girls' father. According to a July 6 news release from the U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Task Force, the individual was described as a white male between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall. He was wearing a black mesh cap, black gauged earrings, a cream-colored T-shirt, and black shorts.

The report also noted distinctive features, including a long ponytail, an overgrown beard and mustache, and footwear identified as either Converse or Vans low-top shoes. Additionally, the man was seen carrying a black JanSport backpack and wearing a black Garmin watch.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to seek further information and leads.

Manhunt Continues for Suspect in Chelan County Homicide; Reward Offered

A U.S. Marshals spokesperson confirmed that a family who reported seeing a man matching the suspect’s description noted the individual avoided eye contact and did not respond when spoken to, according to Idaho News 6. However, that sighting was later determined to be a case of mistaken identity, and the manhunt for the suspect, identified as Decker, continues.

The U.S. Marshals Service has announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Decker’s arrest, the Associated Press reported.

Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison recently spoke with PEOPLE about the ongoing search and the possibility that Decker may still be alive. Investigators confirmed that DNA found in blood on the tailgate of Decker’s truck matched the DNA profile believed to be his. Sheriff Morrison explained that the blood likely came from an injury, though the severity remains unclear.

“I would imagine most likely if he were to have died, it would’ve been from falling; an injury maybe got infected to the point where it did cause him, you know, some further issues or he drowned,” Morrison said. He added, “There’s certainly a lot of possibilities, and if we do find him deceased, of course we’re going to do a full autopsy on him just to get confirmation on his cause of death.”

Decker faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page set up to assist the girls’ mother and Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, with expenses and legal costs has raised nearly $1.3 million as of Thursday, July 10.

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