‘The only suspect’: DNA on zip ties and plastic bags found on 3 girls’ heads belonged to their father, officials say

As the manhunt continues for triple murder suspect Travis Decker, authorities in Washington state have released more information about the crime scene where his three young daughters were found dead.

Decker, 32, has been on the run since he was last seen on May 30, when he picked up his three little girls — 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia — for a scheduled visitation. He never brought them back, and all three girls were found dead days later. On Monday, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office released new information about the crime scene, including DNA results that they say single out Decker as the lone suspect in his daughters’ triple homicide.

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In a press release posted on Monday, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office provided additional information about how the three little girls — who were determined to have died by suffocation — were found on June 2. As Law&Crime previously reported, all three girls were found with plastic bags over their heads and their wrists zip-tied. In their most recent update, authorities said, “Two of the victims each had two separate bags over their heads and the third victim had three separate bags over their head.”

According to police, DNA results from the crime scene revealed that samples taken from the plastic bags matched Decker and the three girls. Additionally, DNA samples from zip-ties found at the scene returned one profile that matched Decker. Police stated, “The completion of this DNA analysis provides additional evidence that indicates Travis Decker is the only suspect involved in committing these homicides.”

Authorities previously stated that DNA taken from a bloody handprint found on a truck near the scene where the girls were found also matched Decker.

More from Law&Crime: Bloody handprint found on truck near bodies of 3 girls ‘positively’ matched to Travis Decker, ruling out other suspects: Police

While authorities were able to present new information about the crime scene, they indicated that they are no closer to finding Decker since he went on the run. In an update from July 25, Chelan County authorities said that a “decrease in leads and tips” related to Decker’s whereabouts has “led to a reduced footprint” by law enforcement agencies.

Decker has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping in connection with the deaths of his daughters.

Police have warned the public that if they see Travis Decker, they should call 911 immediately and “do not attempt to contact or approach him.” Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips.

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