Bones found near the Rock Island Campground are confirmed to be non-human, according to Central Washington University's examination.
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — Bones found in the vicinity of the area where Travis Decker's three daughters were found dead are not human, an examination at Central Washington University confirmed.
Multiple bones were found during a two-day search of the vicinity of the Rock Island Campground Aug. 25-26. Some of those required additional examination, according to a statement from W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI's Seattle field office.
The search team cleared nearly 250 acres on foot around the campground outside of Leavenworth, according to the FBI.
The search, according to the FBI, is one step in a "three-month process by a variety of agencies" to find Decker, signs of his whereabouts or other evidence related to the murder of his daughters.
The bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker were last seen May 30 leaving Wenatchee with their father, Travis Decker, who had a scheduled visitation.
The girls' bodies were found near the Rock Island Campground outside of Leavenworth on June 2, after last being seen with their father, Travis Decker. The discovery prompted a manhunt for Decker throughout the Cascades; however, he has evaded authorities for three months.
Tips on possible sightings of Decker came in from throughout the region and beyond, but so far he has not been found.
The search has prompted closures in popular recreation areas, including the Enchantments.
Anyone who sees Decker is urged to call 911 immediately and not to try contacting or approaching him. The U.S. Marshals Service is still offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to his arrest.
Projects in the central Puget Sound area that will require additional funding include the West Seattle, Ballard, Tacoma Dome, Everett extensions, and more.
SEATTLE — Sound Transit is facing a shortfall of $22 billion to $30 billion for major expansion work in the central Puget Sound area, the agency's board of directors were told Thursday.
That's a hefty increase in the budget shortfall compared to 2021, when a realignment plan was announced that included the agency showing a $6 billion shortfall.
Now, the agency needs billions more to complete its Sound Transit 3 (ST3) light rail projects. Those include extensions to West Seattle, Ballard, the Tacoma Dome, Tacoma Community College, Everett and South Kirkland-Issaquah, according to a presentation to the board of directors. The infill stations at Graham Street and Boeing Access Road are also under the ST3 umbrella of projects.
The shortfall "represents conservative and unmitigated cost estimates before any cost savings opportunities are applied," according to the presentation.
The increase cost estimates stem from cost growth since 2021. The increases, according to the information presented during the board meeting, are mainly due to inflation, complex project delivery, tariffs, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, increased scope and the purchase or lease of real estate.
An "Enterprise Initiative" was introduced Thursday as the agency looks at ways to reduce costs while trying to deliver on the promises of ST3. A cost savings work plan update will be given in September.
Voters approved ST3 in 2016. The $54 billion measure was expected to cost an average adult $169 in tax increases, according to Sound Transit at the time. ST3 passed in King and Snohomish counties with 58% and 52% of ballots cast for the initiative, respectively. Pierce County rejected the measure with 56% of ballots cast in opposition.
A military judge sentenced Pvt. Deron Gordon to over six years in prison for sexually assaulting a college student.
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier who sexually assaulted a college student in the barracks in 2024 was sentenced to more than six years in prison Friday.
A military judge sentenced Pvt. Deron Gordon, 20, to six years and three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one specification each of sexual assault, abusive sexual contact and as a principal to indecent recording.
Gordon was previously charged with additional crimes, but those were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Gordon is one of four soldiers who were charged in in connection to the sexual assault of a college student, who is now a commissioned Army officer, in October 2024.
When Gordon pleaded guilty, he said that he and another soldier followed the college student into a bedroom after she had been drinking with them. He said she was unstable walking into the room and when they went inside she was on the bed and not responsive.
Gordon said he and the other soldier each proceeded to have sex with her and they filmed each other sexually assaulting her on Snapchat.
As part of his sentencing, Gordon will be reduced in rank to E-1 and dishonorably discharged from the Army.
Gordon will serve the remainder of his sentencing at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Once he is released, Gordon must register as a sex offender.
The three other soldiers who were charged in the incident are at different points in the legal process, and their cases are being treated separately.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Additional resources are available on the Washington State Department of Health's website.
KING 5’s Conner Board contributed to this report.
