Federal officials have declared Travis Decker dead, months after he was charged with murder in the deaths of his three daughters in Washington state.

While authorities await the results of DNA testing to confirm the identity of human remains found last week , the U.S. Marshals Service declared Decker dead in court papers written to a federal judge, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. Prosecutors asked the judge to drop the arrest warrant.

The fugitive was sought in the killings of his three daughters, who were found dead near a Washington state campground in June.

According to court documents filed on Wednesday, Sept. 24, U.S. Attorney S. Peter Serrano with the Eastern District of Washington said the U.S. Marshals advised prosecutors that Decker is dead.

Chelan Coun

See Full Page