BREAKING NEWS: Beautiful Campsite Turns Into Horror Scene: Dad Accused of Murdering 3 Daughters, Bodies Found in Plastic Bags!
It could not be more picturesque: a natural beach on the glacial Icicle Creek backdropped by the towering pines and flowering shrubs of the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest.
But the beauty of this Washington State riverside clearing hides a dark reality: this is the isolated campground where killer dad Travis Decker allegedly murdered his three daughters and where their bodies were discovered on June 2.
According to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com, the bodies of Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five, were discovered with their heads stuffed into plastic bags down what is described as 'a small embankment' close to their father's abandoned white GMC truck.
The same report notes that the remote campsite – which sits half a mile past the National Forestry Service-run Rock Island Campground and down a tunnel-like track – was strewn with zip ties and plastic bags.
Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show those bags and zip ties have now been removed but a weathered orange tent and a blue cooler remain.
Former soldier Decker, 32, has been homeless since last Fall and the camp bears unmistakable signs of a lengthy stay, among them discarded leaflets showing Memorial Day deals from local grocery stores Albertsons and Safeway.
A log has been pulled up close to a recently used fire pit, complete with a small log pile, while the 32-year-old appears to have erected a makeshift lean-to next to a tree towards the back of the clearing.
DailyMail.com also found a fresh bullet casing close to the tent – a possible explanation for the Chelon County Sheriff's Department's continued insistence that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous.
The isolated campsite nestled in the tranquil backdrop of the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest where Travis Decker is believed to have murdered his three young daughters Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five. At the crime scene, an orange tent and a blue cooler were left behind
Decker, 32, who has been homeless since last Fall, has been on the run since May 30 after he took the girls for his routine visitation. After he didn't come back with them at the scheduled time, their mother and his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, contacted the police
The girls were found with their heads stuffed into plastic bags and zip tied down what is described as 'a small embankment' close to their father's abandoned white GMC truck on June 2 - both the bags and zip ties weren't at the scene
Decker has been on the run for two weeks, disappearing on May 30, after collecting his three children from the Wenatchee home of their mother Whitney, 35.
After he failed to return the girls the following day, a search was launched for the children – only for it to end in tragedy when the bodies were found just before 4pm on June 2.
Along with zip ties and plastic bags, police said the tailgate of Decker's truck appeared to have two bloody handprints on it and noted that it contained personal items, including blankets, car seats and food.
Decker had also left his wallet behind. The former military man is now believed to be hiding out in the Wenatchee Mountains – a rugged stretch of peaks that stretch for 50 miles across central Washington State and run north to the Canada border.
On Monday, police raised hopes of a breakthrough when they revealed a man matching Decker's description had been spotted close to the Blewett Pass – approximately 15 miles south of the Rock Island Campground and the tiny Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth.
But hopes of a speedy resolution were dashed on Wednesday when Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said they had yet to apprehend the fugitive, despite being 'on his trail' and discovering personal items and footprints that could belong to him.
Morrison also said his team will be focusing on the criminal case and leaving search operations in the hands of the US Marshal's Office and Border Patrol.
He added: 'We believe that we're closing in on his trail. There is nowhere he will be able to go where we don't have units waiting for him.'
DailyMail.com also found a fresh bullet casing close to the tent, which was photographed in exclusive photos and could give insight into why the Chelon County Sheriff's Department's has insisted that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous
Inside the weathered orange tent that was left behind by Decker when he went on the run. He also left behind his wallet and his truck which had two bloodied hand prints and had personal items, including blankets, car seats and food in the tail gate
A log has been pulled up close to a recently used stone fire pit, complete with a small log pile
Since decker was homeless, its unsurprising that the campsite showed remnants of a lengthy stay, with discarded leaflets showing Memorial Day deals from local grocery stores Albertsons and Safeway strown throughout the area
A makeshift lean out of tin and wood that's propped up against a large tree - presumably made by Decker - is located towards the back of the clearing
The campsite was located about half a mile past the National Forestry Service-run Rock Island Campground
The campsite also faced a stunning view, showing a natural beach in front of the fire pit on the glacial Icicle Creek, backdropped by the towering pines and flowering shrubs
The former Army soldier is now hiding out in the Wenatchee Mountains – a rugged stretch of peaks that stretch for 50 miles across central Washington State and runs north to the Canada border
On Monday, authorities believed they had a breakthrough when they confirmed the sighting of a suspicious man on the trail. But by Wednesday, Sheriff Mike Morrison said they had yet to apprehend the fugitive, despite finding clues that could match Decker's presence like footprints
Morrison continued: 'You got to be perfect every single day, Travis. We only have to be perfect one day.'
Complicating the search is the rough terrain which includes mountainous peaks of up to 9,500ft, most of which is blanketed in thick Alpine forest.
Adding to the difficulty is the fact that the bearded dad-of-three is a former soldier who is also an experienced survivalist who once spent two months living off grid in the backwoods.
According to ex-wife Whitney, Decker has been suffering from mental health issues in recent years and was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
Still, Whitney told police she didn't believe Decker was dangerous and said he loved his daughters.
She said the girls had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never failed to return the girls before, according to a police affidavit.
Whitney added that when Decker went to pick up the girls for the visit on May 30, he was 'quieter than usual' which was 'out of character' for him.
He had also allegedly been talking about getting rid of his dog due to housing and financial struggles.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com in an interview published on Wednesday, Decker's older brother Thomas said the alleged killer is not the man he knew – and saw just a week before the murders.
'The guy on the wanted poster for murdering my three nieces is not the brother I know,' said Thomas. 'I can't even comprehend what is going on.
'I am in complete shock that he would do something like this. He loves his daughters – at least I thought he did. And Whitney is devastated beyond belief.'