Bob Ferguson activated the Washington National Guard on Friday night to aid law enforcement in the search for a man wanted in the killing of his three daughters.
“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,” Ferguson said.
The governor said Decker was believed to be in the wilderness in and around Chelan County.
Areas of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex were also closed to the public on Thursday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 509-667-6845, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office at 509-422-7232, or .
Washington Gov. In an effort to help law enforcement find a man suspected of killing his three daughters, Bob Ferguson called in the Washington National Guard on Friday night.
“To support the search for Travis Decker, who is suspected of killing his three daughters, I am ordering resources from the Washington National Guard and using emergency funds tonight,” Ferguson stated. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has requested that we provide helicopter transportation for law enforcement personnel conducting searches in remote areas. “”.
The bodies of the 32-year-old father’s daughters, Olivia Decker, 8, Evelyn Decker, and 9, were found Monday, prompting local and federal law enforcement to conduct both aerial and ground searches for the father. Following Decker’s failure to return the girls to their mother in accordance with their court-ordered visitation plan, they were initially reported missing on June 2.
Authorities think Decker might be on the Pacific Crest Trail or close to it. Decker is wanted on three murder and kidnapping charges after his three young daughters were discovered dead at a Leavenworth campground.
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Ferguson said in his news release late Friday night that the state of Washington is shocked by the three children’s deaths.
As a parent, he expressed his sympathies to Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia’s mother, Whitney, and everyone who cares for them.
In his press statement, the governor approved the deployment of National Guard members and equipment.
“Decker’s extensive military training and the size and ruggedness of the terrain have complicated an already dangerous situation.”. Finding Decker as soon as possible is crucial for the security and welfare of the communities in and around Chelan County,” Ferguson wrote.
He went on to say that he is approving the use of the National Guard because he thinks “public health, safety, and welfare are at risk.”. “.
Decker is thought to be in the wilderness in and around Chelan County, according to the governor.
The timeline.
On Thursday, federal prosecutors accused Decker of fleeing illegally to evade prosecution. “How to relocate to Canada” and “jobs Canada” in the days prior to his kidnapping of his daughters are mentioned in court documents that KOMO News was able to obtain on Friday.
According to court documents, on May 26, the Monday before he took Olivia, Evelyn, and Paityn, Decker also went to the Canadian government’s website’s “find a job” section.
Several search warrants for Decker’s Google accounts, including earlier searches conducted from Decker’s account, were obtained and served by investigators.
The U. S. In federal court documents, the Marshals Service stated that the Decker sisters were discovered approximately 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail at a campground.
The entire west coast of the United States is home to the well-known PCT trail. S. . between Mexico and Canada. The northern border is where the trail comes to an end.
No fence or barrier separates the two nations at the PCT terminus, even though Canada declared earlier this year that it would no longer grant permits for hikers to enter the country lawfully without going through an official port of entry.
More than 100 officers searched the rocky Cascade Mountains in central Washington for Decker, and the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday that more than 500 tips had been received from the public.
Court documents state that Decker had served in the Army before and had received extensive training in “navigation, woodland/mountainous terrain, long distance movements, survival, and numerous other disciplines needed to be able to flee.”.
Decker is also a “well-versed outdoorsman,” according to court documents, and “frequently engaged in hiking, camping, survival skill practice, hunting, and even lived off the grid in the backwoods for approximately 2.5 months on one occasion.”. “”.
Law enforcement asked residents of isolated parts of Chelan, Kittitas, King, Snohomish, and Okanogan counties, as well as those who own cabins, to leave window blinds open and lock all doors, including sheds and outbuildings, earlier this week. It is also advised that residents keep their outdoor lights on.
Parts of the PCT are among the hiking and recreational areas in Washington that have been closed by authorities as they continue their manhunt for Decker.
Several parts of Icicle Creek are closed to the public due to the forest closure, including the Enchantments and the entire Icicle Creek area near Leavenworth. The order prohibits anyone from using a vehicle or being on any roads or trails within the closure area.
The North Cascades National Park Service Complex also closed portions of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area to the public Thursday.
The last time we saw Decker, he was dressed in dark shorts and a light shirt. Although his current level of armament is unknown, officials stated that the public should view him as dangerous and armed.
Do not approach or try to get in touch with Decker if you see him. Dial 911.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office tip line numbers are 509-667-6845 and 509-422-7232, respectively, for anyone with information.
Steve Benham, a producer of digital content for KATU, reported from Portland, Oregon.
