Manhunt Continues for Survivalist Father in Idaho Wilderness

A man believed to be Travis Decker, wanted for the murder of his three daughters, was potentially spotted in a remote region of the Idaho forest on Saturday. A family camping in the Bear Creek area of the Sawtooth National Forest reported seeing a person matching Decker’s description lingering nearby. The vast forest spans over 2 million acres, making search efforts challenging.

The family described the individual as a white male, approximately 5’9″ tall, weighing around 190 pounds, with dark gauged earrings, a ponytail, an overgrown beard, and wearing a black mesh cap, a cream shirt, black shorts, and carrying a black backpack. They chose not to approach or make eye contact with him, fearing for safety, and alerted authorities.

The search intensified after Decker’s disappearance following the death of his daughters. The girls, aged 5, 8, and 9, were found on June 2 at a campground in Wenatchee, Washington, with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties around their wrists. Their father’s abandoned truck, marked with bloody handprints, was discovered nearby, and his dog was found alive and taken into custody by the Humane Society.

Decker, a former Army infantryman with extensive outdoor survival skills, is accused of killing his daughters and is wanted on charges of murder, kidnapping, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Officials believe he suffocated the children, and extensive searches have covered mountainous and remote terrains by land, air, and water.

Authorities warn that Decker is armed and dangerous, though they do not believe he poses a broader threat to the public. A reward of $20,000 is offered for information leading to his capture.