Autopsy Results Released for Decker Sisters, Who Police Believe Were Killed by Dad.
The bodies of Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found on June 2 — three days after they were last seen with their father, Travis Decker, who remains missing.
Authorities have announced the official causes of death for three girls who were alleged to have been killed by their father.
Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., on June 2, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office previously said. The girls were reported missing on May 30 after they had not returned from a planned visitation with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker.
In a press release shared with PEOPLE on Monday, June 9, the CCSO said an autopsy was completed by the medical examiner on Friday, June 6.
"The cause of death was determined to be suffocation and the manner of death was determined to be homicide," the release states.
The girls' bodies were located after authorities found Travis' pickup truck, in which the sheriff's office said investigators have since collected a "large amount of evidence" including many of his personal items, per the release.
"The suspect’s dog was recovered and turned over to the humane society for safe care," the CCSO added. "Blood samples taken from the scene have come back positive for belonging to a male, and another was not human blood. Further DNA and fingerprint analyses are still being conducted."
Travis remains missing and is wanted on charges of murder, kidnapping and custodial interference.
As of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, June 8, the CCSO handed over the search efforts for Travis to federal authorities but noted they are still leading the criminal investigation.
"We had reached a point where we need to rest our local resources. Our command staff continues to be engaged with the search command while we give our teams time off to rest and recuperate and be ready to rejoin the search for, and capture of, the suspect," the release states.
Amid the ongoing manhunt for Travis, authorities have been asking the public to come forward with any information and have shared several photos of him.
Travis is 5'8" with black hair and brown eyes, and authorities have described him as posing "a significant risk if approached" due to his prior military experience.
Authorities are asking anyone who has seen Travis to call 911 immediately. People can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information to the tip line online.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to help the girls' mother with expenses and legal costs amid the tragic loss of her three daughters has raised more than $1 million in donations as of Monday, June 9.
#Murder,
#Crime,
#Children,
Autopsy Results Released for Decker Sisters, Who Police Believe Were Killed by Dad.
The bodies of Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found on June 2 — three days after they were last seen with their father, Travis Decker, who remains missing.
Authorities have announced the official causes of death for three girls who were alleged to have been killed by their father.
Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., on June 2, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office previously said. The girls were reported missing on May 30 after they had not returned from a planned visitation with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker.
In a press release shared with PEOPLE on Monday, June 9, the CCSO said an autopsy was completed by the medical examiner on Friday, June 6.
"The cause of death was determined to be suffocation and the manner of death was determined to be homicide," the release states.
The girls' bodies were located after authorities found Travis' pickup truck, in which the sheriff's office said investigators have since collected a "large amount of evidence" including many of his personal items, per the release.
"The suspect’s dog was recovered and turned over to the humane society for safe care," the CCSO added. "Blood samples taken from the scene have come back positive for belonging to a male, and another was not human blood. Further DNA and fingerprint analyses are still being conducted."
Travis remains missing and is wanted on charges of murder, kidnapping and custodial interference.
As of 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, June 8, the CCSO handed over the search efforts for Travis to federal authorities but noted they are still leading the criminal investigation.
"We had reached a point where we need to rest our local resources. Our command staff continues to be engaged with the search command while we give our teams time off to rest and recuperate and be ready to rejoin the search for, and capture of, the suspect," the release states.
Amid the ongoing manhunt for Travis, authorities have been asking the public to come forward with any information and have shared several photos of him.
Travis is 5'8" with black hair and brown eyes, and authorities have described him as posing "a significant risk if approached" due to his prior military experience.
Authorities are asking anyone who has seen Travis to call 911 immediately. People can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information to the tip line online.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to help the girls' mother with expenses and legal costs amid the tragic loss of her three daughters has raised more than $1 million in donations as of Monday, June 9.
#Murder, #Crime, #Children,
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