The FBI has confirmed that bones were recovered during a two-day search at the Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth, Washington, where accused killer Travis Decker’s three daughters were discovered earlier this summer.
Officials say the bones will be analyzed to determine if they are human or animal. No further details have been released about the discovery.
Decker is accused of killing his daughters Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia after a scheduled visitation on May 30.
The girls were found dead near the campground on June 2, alongside Decker’s abandoned truck.
The FBI said “several items” considered “potential evidence” were recovered during the search. Over 100 personnel were involved in documenting approximately 247 acres of terrain.
Authorities said the search included cooperation between the FBI, Chelan and Spokane County sheriff’s offices, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Port of Seattle Police Department, Yakima Police Department, and other federal and state agencies, per NBC-affiliate King 5 News.
The discovery of the bones is the first significant update in weeks. Investigators have been pursuing Decker across the Cascade Mountains since June but have failed to locate him.
Police confirmed that the father disappeared after allegedly kidnapping the three girls during his visitation. Their bodies were located two days later at the site where the bones have now been recovered.
Decker has not been seen for nearly three months, despite multiple reported sightings in the Snoqualmie Pass and Blewett Pass areas. Authorities say he remains armed and dangerous.
Earlier this month, the King County Sheriff’s Office sent deputies to Snoqualmie Pass after a possible sighting of Decker. The search was called off after several hours with no results.
The U.S. Marshals Service has worked alongside Chelan County in searching tens of thousands of acres in the Cascades, including areas near the Enchantments wilderness.
Despite the large-scale effort, Decker has managed to evade capture. Search operations have slowed in recent weeks due to the lack of confirmed leads.
The FBI stressed that the analysis of the bones will be critical to determining whether the discovery is tied directly to Decker. The timeline for results has not been made public.
Officials continue to urge the public not to approach Decker if spotted. “Anyone who sees Decker should call 911 immediately,” law enforcement said in a statement.
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to his arrest. Authorities believe he may still be hiding somewhere in the Cascade region.
The case has drawn national attention due to the brutality of the killings and the ongoing manhunt. Investigators say they will continue to follow every lead until Decker is brought into custody.
