Gov. Ferguson deploying National Guard, emergency funds to aid in search for Travis Decker
Jun 7, 2025, 1:35 PM
Two varying photos of Travis Decker, the man accused of kidnapping and killing his three young daughters near Leavenworth, Washington. (Photos courtesy of Wenatchee Police Department, KIRO 7)
(Photos courtesy of Wenatchee Police Department, KIRO 7)
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced he will use emergency funding to aid in the search for Travis Decker, the man accused of kidnapping and killing his three young daughters near Leavenworth.
Ferguson will also be using resources from the Washington National Guard. He made the announcement Friday night.
“Tonight, I am tapping emergency funds and ordering Washington National Guard resources to support the search for Travis Decker, who is suspected of killing his three daughters. At the request of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, we will be providing helicopter transportation for law enforcement as they search in remote areas.”
Tonight, I am tapping emergency funds and ordering Washington National Guard resources to support the search for Travis Decker, who is suspected of killing his three daughters. At the request of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, we will be providing helicopter transportation…
— Governor Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson) June 7, 2025
A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Travis Decker after authorities said he fled the area and may be attempting to escape prosecution.
Decker allegedly used Google to search ‘how to move to Canada’
According to a newly filed affidavit from U.S. Marshals Service Deputy Keegan Stanley, Decker is charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in addition to three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping.
The affidavit, obtained by KIRO 7, stated that Decker used Google to search phrases like “how does a person move to Canada,” “how to relocate to Canada,” and “jobs Canada.” These searches occurred on May 26, less than a week before the girls were reported missing.
He also visited the official Canadian job website.
The three daughters’ remains were found in a campground less than a dozen miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches to the Canadian border.
The U.S. Marshals believe Decker could be in remote terrain with the intention of eluding law enforcement.
Decker, a former Army Ranger and avid outdoorsman, is known to possess extensive knowledge of wilderness survival and could be utilizing these skills to evade capture. He is trained in long-distance movement, navigation, and off-the-grid living, according to authorities working the case.
Authorities noted that Decker once lived off the land in remote terrain for more than two months.
North Cascades National Park restricts trail access amid Travis Decker manhunt
The North Cascades National Park closed several trails within the park complex to aid in the manhunt for Travis Decker.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) issued a warning for several Washington counties amid the search for Decker.
“We strongly urge everyone to avoid the area while law enforcement continues their search for Travis and works to bring closure to this heartbreaking incident,” CCSO stated.
Deputies advised residents who live in remote cabins to keep their doors locked, lights on, and be aware of police patrols at all hours.
North Cascades National Park closures
According to KIRO 7, the following NCNS trails are closed, which include backcountry camps and cross-country zones:
- Pacific Crest Trail within the park complex (Agnes Creek, Old Wagon, and Bridge Creek trails)
- Rainbow Lake Trail
- Rainbow Creek Trail
- McAlester Lake Trail
- Twisp Pass Trail (to USFS border)
- Stiletto Spur Trail
- North Fork Bridge Creek Trail
- Upper Stehekin Valley Trail
- Flat Creek Trail
- Thunder Creek Trail from Park Creek Pass to the junction with Upper Stehekin Valley Trail
- Upper Stehekin Valley Trail to junction with Horseshoe Basin Trail
Closed Campgrounds
- Eightmile Campground
- Bridge Creek Campground
- Icicle Group Campground
- Johnny Creek Campground
- Ida Creek Campground
- Chatter Creek Campground
- Rock Island Campground
- Blackpine Horse Camp
Closed Roads
More than 20 forest service roads are closed off, including all primary spurs off Forest Service Road (FSR) 7600000. This includes:
- FSR 7600100, 7600800, 7600900
- FSR 7600020, 7601111, 7601112 (and spurs A & B)
- FSR 7603000 and its spurs, including 7603175, 7605000, 7605113
- Additional roads: FSR 7600315, 7600415 (and spur A), 7600615, 7600616, 7600810
Closed Trails
Some of the region’s most popular alpine and backcountry trails are impacted, including:
- Trail 1553 (Snow Lakes)
- Trail 1599 (Stuart Lake)
- Trail 1599.1 (Colchuck Lake)
- Trail 1552 (Eightmile Lake)
- Trail 1554 (Eightmile Trout Creek)
- Trail 1579 (Fourth of July)
- Trail 1580 (Chatter Creek)
- Trail 1596 and all segments of the Icicle Gorge loop
- Trail 1570 (upper portions of Icicle Ridge)
- Trail 1551 (Icicle Creek)
- Trail 1558 (Jack Creek)
- Trail 1555 (Trout Creek)
- Trail 1597 (Jack Pine)
- Trail 1565 (Blackpine)
- Trail 6723 (Bruce’s Boulder)
Emergency personnel exceptions
Law enforcement, rescue teams, and special Forest Service permits are exempt from the closure.
Violating the closure could result in up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, under federal law.
FlightAware provided a helicopter tracker on its website to follow along in the manhunt for Decker.
Details for identifying Travis Decker
Three missing sisters from Wenatchee were found dead at a campground west of Leavenworth, Washington, the Wenatchee Police Department confirmed. The girls were 5, 8, and 9 years old.
Their father, Travis Decker, 32, is wanted for murder and kidnapping. He could be anywhere in the nation, authorities said during a news conference Tuesday evening.
Travis Decker is approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds. He has black hair in a ponytail style and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. His vehicle, a 2017 GMC Sierra, has a WA license plate reading D20165C. Decker is allegedly homeless, according to the Wenatchee Police Department.
A reward of up to $20,000 has been offered for information leading directly to his arrest.
Contributing: KIRO 7; Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest
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