Decker manhunt focuses on Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest

IDAHO, USA — Federal authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating Travis Decker, a murder suspect who may have been seen in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest over the weekend.

The U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force is seeking information from anyone who was in the Bear Creek area, which is 32 miles north of Fairfield, in the Sawtooth National Forest, within the last 24 hours.

“U.S. Marshals are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest,” Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Eric Toms stated.

Decker is wanted by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in Washington state on three counts of murder and three counts of kidnapping involving his three children, ages 5, 8 and 9. The alleged crimes occurred on May 30.

On July 5, the U.S. Marshal Service got a tip from a family recreating in the Bear Creek area, Northwest of the Bear Creek Transfer Station, who reported seeing someone matching Decker’s description.

The person, who could be Decker, was described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing a black mesh cap, black gauged earrings, cream-colored T-shirt, black shorts and either Converse or Vans low-top shoes. He had a long ponytail, an overgrown beard and a mustache, and was carrying a black JanSport backpack, as well as wearing a black Garmin-style watch.

The U.S. Marshals Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force locates and arrests violent state and federal fugitives. Agencies include the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho State Police, Idaho Department of Corrections, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Nampa Police Department and Pocatello Police Department.

Anyone with information about wanted fugitives is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office or the U.S. Marshal Service Communication Center at 1-800-WANTED2 or 1-800-926-8332 or submit tips online at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.