Authorities end search for suspect in kids' deaths after finding look-alike hiker
Context:
Federal authorities in Idaho concluded their search for a man mistakenly identified as Travis Decker, who is wanted for the deaths of his three daughters. The search began when a family reported seeing someone resembling Decker near Bear Creek in the Sawtooth National Forest. Decker has been on the run since early June after the bodies of his daughters were discovered at a Washington campsite. Despite multiple law enforcement agencies joining the search, the man found was confirmed not to be Decker. Authorities continue to seek Decker, last possibly seen near a remote alpine lake, offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Dive Deeper:
The search for Travis Decker in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest was called off after authorities confirmed the man seen by a family was not him, but a look-alike hiker.
Travis Decker, wanted since June 2, allegedly killed his three young daughters, whose bodies were found in a truck at a campground outside Leavenworth, Washington.
The search was intensified after a family reported a sighting of a man matching Decker's description, prompting involvement from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
The mistaken individual was found and interviewed by authorities, who confirmed he was simply hiking in the Bear Creek area and had no connection to the case.
Despite the search's conclusion in Idaho, efforts to locate Decker continue, with a significant reward offered and a previous sighting reported near a remote lake in the Cascade Range.
Decker, a former soldier, has managed to evade capture since the discovery of his daughters' bodies, and authorities remain vigilant in tracking potential leads.
Federal authorities emphasize the ongoing nature of the investigation, maintaining that any credible sightings or information could be crucial to apprehending Decker.