DNA blood match ties dad Travis Decker to murder of his three daughters—fugitive manhunt intensifies

Chelan County confirms blood found on the tailgate of the missing dad’s truck matches his DNA, strengthening the case that Travis Decker killed his three daughters. The high-stakes manhunt continues.

👉 Read the full report: ABC News

🕵️‍♂️ What Happened

On July 1, Washington State Patrol Crime Lab confirmed that bloody handprints found on the tailgate of Travis Decker’s abandoned truck match his DNA. The vehicle was discovered near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, where the bodies of his daughters—Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5)—were recovered on June 2. The scene contained scattered plastic bags and zip ties used in their murders.

Sources: ABC News, KOMO News

🔍 Investigation & Manhunt

Authorities have ruled out any other suspects based on the DNA evidence and personal items located near the bodies. Decker, a 32-year-old ex-U.S. Army soldier, remains at large—and is considered armed, dangerous, and skilled in wilderness survival.

Sources: KOMO News, People.com, Good Morning America summary via ABC

🚗 Video Evidence Days Before

Police released bodycam footage from May 27, showing Decker during a traffic stop in Wenatchee. Seen leaning on his truck and fidgety, he asked officers if he would be arrested for driving without insurance. That encounter occurred just three days before he picked up his daughters for a custody visit—and they disappeared.

Sources: ABC News report on video footage, KOMO News detailed account

🌐 Manhunt Scope & Public Warning

As of July, the search—now in its eighth week—is ongoing across rugged terrain from Washington into Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest. The U.S. Marshals Service has issued a $20,000 reward for information leading to Decker's arrest. Officials warn he may have altered his appearance and urge the public not to approach him.

Sources: NY Post coverage, Reuters/People update

💭 Family & Mental Health Insight

Decker’s ex-wife and lawyer say he’d recently been struggling with mental health issues, including PTSD and untreated borderline personality disorder. Despite no overt red flags noted prior, they emphasize the system failed to intervene before the tragedy.

Sources: ABC News timeline reporting, Wikipedia summary

TL;DR SMH America 🤦‍♂️😏☕

• Bloody handprints on Travis Decker’s truck were matched to his DNA, affirming his role as the sole suspect in his daughters’ deaths.

• The three girls were found suffocated near the truck, which contained zip ties and plastic bags.

• Decker remains at large; authorities warn he’s armed, trained, and dangerous.

• A nationwide manhunt continues with video evidence and growing public appeals.

Navlist for reference:

• DNA evidence definitively links Travis Decker to girls’ deaths – ABC News

• Manhunt continues after DNA match, sightings in Idaho – People.com

• Video surfaces of Decker acting anxious days before deaths – KOMO News

Ex‑flight attendant arrested in Sri Lanka with $3.3M stash of drug made from human bones.

Charlotte May Lee was detained at Colombo airport with over 100 lbs of “kush”—a synthetic drug from West Africa reportedly made using crushed human bones and embalming fluid.

👉 Read full coverage: Yahoo News via NY Post, CBS News, NDTV

🕵️‍♀️ What Happened

On May 12, 2025, customs agents at Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport discovered 101 lbs (≈ 46 kg) of a lethal new drug known as “kush” packed in two suitcases belonging to 21‑year‑old Charlotte May Lee, a former UK flight attendant. The haul, believed to originate from West Africa, is estimated to be worth USD 3.3 million.

Sources: NY Post, CBS News, NDTV

⚗️ The Drug & Its Origins

Kush is a potent synthetic cannabinoid reportedly laced with opioids and, most disturbingly, ground-up human bones soaked in embalming fluid—ingredients that rallegedly have led to grave robbing in Sierra Leone. The drug is linked to numerous deaths in West Africa and labeled an “existential crisis” by its president.

Sources: NY Post, NDTV, CBS News

🚨 Legal Status & Defense Claim

Lee denies knowledge of the contents, claiming the drugs were planted in Bangkok at her hotel. She remains detained in a harsh Sri Lankan jail where she reportedly sleeps on a concrete floor. If convicted, she could face up to 25 years in prison.

Sources: NY Post, CBS News

🌍 Broader Scope & Warning

Authorities in Sierra Leone have cracked down on kush use and grave robbing by declaring a state of emergency. Analysts warn the drug is now spreading internationally via transit hubs like Bangkok and Colombo. Law enforcement agencies worldwide are closely watching Kush’s evolving threat and trafficking routes.

Sources: NY Post, CBS News, WKRC via NPR reporting

TL;DR SMH America 🤦‍♂️😏☕

• Charlotte May Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka with 101 lbs of a $3.3M supply of “kush,” a synthetic drug reportedly made with human bone.

• She denies knowledge, saying the drugs were planted at her Bangkok hotel.

• If convicted, she could face up to 25 years behind bars in harsh prison conditions.

• The case highlights international spread of a new drug tied to grave robbing and public health crises in West Africa.

Navlist for reference:

• Ex-flight attendant arrested at Sri Lanka airport with 100 lbs of human‑bone drug stash (NY Post)

• Former UK flight attendant charged for smuggling “kush” made of human remains (NDTV / CBS News)

Let me know if you’d like a visual chart of global drug trafficking routes or a health risk infographic next time.

Arizona mom, 72, shoots adult son after video game rage—he survives.

Hazel Benson, 72, allegedly shot her 38-year-old son in Mesa, Arizona, during a dispute over video games. He survived, and authorities have charged her with aggravated assault.

👉 Read full coverage: FOX 10 Phoenix via Yahoo News summary

🕵️‍♀️ What Happened

💥 What Led to the Shooting

🩺 Injuries & Legal Action

💬 Community Shock & Background

TL;DR SMH America 🤦‍♂️😏☕

• A 72-year-old Arizona woman shot her 38-year-old son during a dispute over video games.

• The son survived and is in stable condition; the mother faces aggravated assault charges.

• The case has residents stunned—no known history of domestic violence before the incident.

Want an infographic on age-related conflict incidents or local violence trends vs. video game debate? I can produce it next—just say the word.

 Ex-NFL Player Chad Wheeler Sentenced to Nearly 7 Years for Domestic Violence

Chad Wheeler, a former backup offensive tackle for the Seahawks, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on Friday for the 2021 assault of his then-girlfriend. Wheeler, who played for the Seahawks in 2019 and 2020, was arrested in Kent the following year on charges related to the assault.

 Husband Charged With Crimes Against Children, Wife Charged With Crimes Against Family Dog

In an exclusive report from ABC13, a Spring man under investigation for multiple crimes against children has now been joined by his wife, who faces additional charges for committing lewd acts with the family dog.

 Florida Couple Arrested in Disturbing Case of Animal Abuse

 Texas Woman in Serious Condition After Being Stabbed by Two Children

 FBI Intercepts Arizona Man's Plot to Carry Out Mass Shooting Against African Americans

The Department of Justice has indicted a man from the Prescott area this week, following allegations that he intended to target a Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta in an attempt to incite a "race war."

 Divers Find 25 Bricks of Suspected Cocaine with Fake Nike Logos off Key West Coast

Divers exploring off the coast of Key West, Florida, initially mistook what they found on the ocean floor for trash. However, it turned out to be over two dozen packages of suspected cocaine, authorities reported Wednesday.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to the Rainbow Reef Dive Center in Key Largo after scuba divers reported the discovery. The images released by the sheriff's office revealed a torn garbage bag next to the packages, which were marked with fake Nike SB logos.

The 25 packages, each weighing approximately one kilogram (2.2 pounds), were found about 100 feet underwater in the Atlantic Ocean. The stash has been handed over to U.S. Border Patrol for further investigation.

This find follows a recent incident in which a beachgoer discovered around $1 million worth of cocaine washed ashore in the Florida Keys. That package contained 65 pounds of cocaine, according to CBS Miami.

Drug traffickers often transport cocaine across international waters using various vessels, and it's not uncommon for them to mark their packages with distinctive designs. In January, the Colombian Navy intercepted a "narco sub" carrying over 1,000 pounds of cocaine, with some packages marked with scorpion insignias or names like "Winnie" and "Carnal."

Last year, several Florida beaches saw packages of cocaine, worth over $100,000 in total, washed ashore, some featuring designs mimicking luxury brands like Chanel. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor also made headlines when she found 70 pounds of cocaine emblazoned with butterfly designs during a family fishing trip.

In 2023, nearly 150 pounds of cocaine washed up on Big Pine Key, and in 2019, bricks of cocaine were discovered on two beaches following Hurricane Dorian's impact on the Florida coast.

Colombia remains a major source of the world's cocaine production.

 Edmond Couple Rescued Alive After 36 Hours Lost at Sea While Scuba Diving

A miraculous rescue of an Edmond couple occurred around 1 a.m. on Friday in the Gulf of Mexico. The couple, who had disappeared while scuba diving off the coast of Texas, was found alive after 36 hours at sea, bringing immense relief to their worried loved ones.

The search lasted approximately 36 hours and ended with joyous news for the Maker family. Nathan and Kim Maker were discovered safe in the ocean, miles offshore.

“It’s a miracle,” said Charles Owen, the uncle of Nathan Maker. 

A new video from a Coast Guard aircraft showed two figures about 20 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico early Friday morning. Those figures were confirmed to be Nathan and Kim Maker of Edmond.

“We’d practically given up hope,” Owen admitted.

Owen recounted receiving a call from the Coast Guard around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, informing them that the couple had disappeared earlier that morning while scuba diving with a group.

“There was a storm moving in, and as the divers surfaced to prepare to get back on the boat, a swell engulfed all of them,” Owen explained.

Despite their extensive diving experience and safety precautions, Nathan and Kim were swept away by the storm.

The search covered 1,656 square miles and lasted roughly 36 hours. Just as the search was nearing its end, a plane on its final pass spotted Nathan and Kim using their diving flashlights to signal SOS.

The Coast Guard swiftly dispatched boats to rescue the couple.

“We are grateful for everyone’s concerns and prayers,” Owen said. “This miracle was performed by the Coast Guard at God’s direction.”

Both Nathan and Kim were found to be very dehydrated, suffering from jellyfish stings, and had to swim periodically to maintain their body temperatures. Kim also had an infection, and Nathan was near a diabetic coma. They are currently in stable condition in the hospital.

Owen hopes they can return home sometime tomorrow or early next week.

 Watch: Whale Off New Hampshire Collides with Fishing Boat, Tossing Men into the Atlantic

A whale mid-breach struck a small boat off New Hampshire, causing the vessel to capsize and hurling two fishermen overboard in seconds.

Colin and Wyatt Yager, teenage brothers from Maine on a nearby vessel, shared the footage on social media Tuesday. According to Seacoastonline, part of the USA TODAY Network, the video has been widely reposted, garnering over four million views and hundreds of comments. The caption warns area residents to beware of a “pissed-off whale” patrolling the waters of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “Head on a swivel if you’re out there,” it reads.

The teens "swiftly rescued" both fishermen after their boat capsized off Odiorne Point in Rye, New Hampshire, U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Diolanda Caballero told Seacoastonline.

Initially, Wyatt Yager wasn’t worried about the whale, explaining to Seacoastonline that all boats stayed along the edge of the school of fish to allow the whale to feed. However, the whale got too close, causing the vessel to tip over.

"I was just in shock. Everyone else had the same reaction and tried to get over to those people," he said. "It was like, 'Oh shoot,' and then, 'We’ve got to go help these people.' All the boats dropped what they were doing to assist."

Neither the men thrown into the ocean nor the whale were injured, Caballero said.

The Coast Guard learned of the capsized vessel Tuesday morning in Rye, a few miles northeast of Portsmouth, Seacoastonline reported. The teens were fishing for menhaden, also known as "pogies," around 7 a.m.

An hour later, the whale crashed into Greg Paquette and Ryland Kenney's boat, launching both men into "fight or flight mode" after they were thrown into the water, Seacoastonline reported.

“I heard a big crackle,” Kenney told the newspaper. "When that happened … the bow tipped up, and I went to the left. As the boat was rolling over, I kind of jumped off horizontally to avoid the whale and the boat.”

The last thing Paquette saw before being thrown into the water was the whale's head, which slammed down on the boat's engine.

“Then I saw the whole stern become inundated with water, and I thought, ‘Oh no. We’re going down. We’re going to sink now,’” Paquette told Seacoastonline. They managed to swim away from the swamped boat in seconds and became very tired after the initial "energy and adrenaline" wore off. "It's been an emotional day," Paquette said.

The men stayed in the Yagers' boat for about 15 minutes before the brothers transferred them to a nearby friend's vessel until the Coast Guard arrived, according to Wyatt Yager. Paquette and Kenney were then transported to the Great Cove Boat Club in Eliot, Maine.

Both men were in the water for less than two minutes before being rescued by 19-year-old Wyatt and 16-year-old Colin.

"We’re glad they took such quick action," Paquette said. "They didn’t even think about it. We’re really grateful to both of them."

While the whale made a big splash, Colin Yager’s reaction to the “breach” has gained the most attention. 

Multiple people commented on Colin’s quick instincts. “Kid's like ‘I want to go home now,’" one user wrote. Another added: “That kid had the right idea lol turned around and was ready to book it.”

Daisy Evans commented that the “incredible scene” was the result of “unfortunate timing,” noting that the whale was breaching under a school of baitfish next to the boat. “You can actually see dozens of fish pouring out of its mouth as it impacts the boat. The whale was not attacking,” she wrote.

Pennsylvania Man Fatally Stabs Neighbor Following Dispute Over 'Loud Snoring' 

A 55-year-old man in Pennsylvania has been arrested for allegedly killing his neighbor by stabbing him in what authorities say was the culmination of a nearly two-year feud over “loud snoring.” Christopher James Casey, from Hatboro, was taken into custody on Thursday. He faces charges of third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and possessing an instrument of crime in the death of 62-year-old Robert Wallace, according to authorities.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office reported that officers from the Upper Moreland Township Police Department responded to a 911 call at around 6:34 p.m. on Monday regarding a stabbing at a residence in the 300 block of Fitch Road, about 15 miles north of Philadelphia. Casey himself made the call, identifying himself as the person who reported the stabbing.

Upon arrival, first responders found Wallace outside, approximately 50 feet from the home, suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to Abington Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Casey was also taken to Abington Hospital to treat a stab wound on his right thigh. Officers recovered a “large military-style knife” and a cell phone on Casey’s front porch. They also found a removed window screen lying in a nearby grassy area, with the window itself open.

A joint investigation by Upper Moreland Township Police and Montgomery County Detectives revealed that the two men were familiar to local police due to ongoing disputes, including arguments about Casey’s loud snoring, which Wallace could hear through the shared wall of their residences. The incident escalated when Wallace showed up at Casey’s residence while Casey was eating dinner, removed the screen from Casey’s window, and a verbal altercation ensued. Casey then used a large, military-style knife to stab Wallace several times.

Blood spatter was found inside and outside Casey’s home, authorities said. An autopsy determined that Wallace’s death was a homicide caused by multiple stab wounds to the chest. Following the autopsy results, Casey was arrested three days later. According to court documents obtained by Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI, Casey told police that he and Wallace had been talking through Casey’s window for about 20 minutes. By the end of the conversation, Wallace had calmed down and even offered to give Casey money for nasal surgery.

Pennsylvania Man Fatally Stabs Neighbor Amid Feud Over 'Loud Snoring'

Wallace then went to Casey’s front door to shake hands, at which point Casey, holding a knife and stun gun, unlocked the door.  “Casey described Wallace as very ‘volatile,’ ‘very strong,’ and ‘angry,’” the charging documents state. “Casey said he did not believe Wallace’s intention to ‘work this out’ and ‘shake hands’ was genuine. As a result, Casey decided to ‘surprise him’ by stabbing Wallace with a knife.” Casey appeared before Judge Wendy Rothstein for his arraignment, and his bond was set at $1 million. He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 29 before Magistrate Judge Thomas Murt.

 Texas Teen Claims He Killed His Family to Prevent Them from Eating Him

Authorities in East Texas have arrested an 18-year-old man, Cesar Olalde, on capital murder charges for the shootings of his parents, sister, and brother. Police in Nash, Texas, responded to a report on Tuesday that a man had harmed his family and was threatening to kill himself. Upon arrival, officers found Olalde barricaded inside a home and were informed that multiple people were dead inside.

According to a probable cause affidavit by Nash Police Officer Craig Buster, Olalde later called the police and confessed to "pulling the trigger and shooting his family."

The officers convinced Olalde to surrender. Inside the home, they discovered the bodies of his parents, Reuben Olalde and Aida Garcia, his older sister, Lisbet Olalde, and his younger brother, Oliver Olalde, in a bathroom. The affidavit noted that the victims appeared to have been shot in various locations within the residence and then dragged to the bathroom. Multiple spent cartridge casings and blood spatter were found throughout the home.

The affidavit detailed that a co-worker of Lisbet Olalde had gone to the home after she failed to arrive at work. Accompanied by a family member, the co-worker forced entry into the house, where Cesar Olalde confronted them with a firearm. The co-worker informed police that Olalde claimed he had killed his family because they were cannibals and intended to eat him.

Bowie County court records show that Olalde is being held on a $10 million bond. His defense attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment. Nash is a small town with a population of about 3,800, located on the western edge of Texarkana near the Arkansas state line.

Texas Teen Killed His Family Because He Thought They Were Cannibals Who Were Out To Eat Him

This incident is part of a disturbing trend of mass killings in the United States. A database maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University tracks mass killings involving four or more fatalities, excluding the perpetrator, using the same standards as the FBI.

Will Trump's Felony Conviction Be Overturned by Supreme Court Immunity Ruling? Key Details as Sentencing Is Delayed.

On Monday, former President Donald Trump asked a Manhattan court to overturn his criminal conviction following a Supreme Court ruling that grants some immunity to presidents from prosecution, multiple sources report. The ruling could invalidate certain evidence used by prosecutors and is expected to delay Trump's sentencing.

The Supreme Court ruled that presidents have "absolute immunity" from prosecution for actions within their "core constitutional powers," such as appointing officials, while they can still be prosecuted for actions outside their official duties.

Trump's lawyers formally requested that his criminal conviction be overturned based on this ruling, as reported by The New York Times. Trump was previously convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursement checks he sent to former attorney Michael Cohen for paying adult film star Stormy Daniels.

ABC News reported that Trump’s attorneys argued some evidence used in the case should be excluded under the immunity ruling. The Supreme Court stated that evidence regarding a president’s official acts cannot be used at trial, even if the crime itself is not immune from prosecution.

Trump had previously sought to delay his trial until the Supreme Court ruled on immunity, arguing that certain evidence from his presidency was protected, including public statements and an ethics form showing his reimbursement to Cohen. Prosecutors used this evidence at trial, including 2018 statements by Trump suggesting Cohen should remain loyal and not implicate him in the hush money scheme.

It remains uncertain if the immunity ruling would apply to Trump’s public statements. The Supreme Court noted that most of Trump’s public comments as president are covered by his official duties, but there could be instances where he spoke in an unofficial capacity, which would not be immune.

Trump might also claim that his 2017 reimbursement checks to Cohen are covered by immunity, although a federal judge previously ruled that these checks were personal and unrelated to his official duties. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein stated that the payments were "a cover-up of an embarrassing event" and not part of Trump's official presidential duties.

Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing Trump’s hush money case, may decide whether to allow Trump to contest the verdict. The deadline for post-trial motions has passed, and Trump’s sentencing, scheduled for July 11, may be delayed as Merchan considers the immunity issue. Prosecutors have agreed to a potential two-week delay. If sentenced, Trump’s punishment could range from fines to up to four years in prison, though legal experts believe he is unlikely to face prison time as a first-time offender.

The immunity ruling will likely impact all four criminal cases against Trump. In his federal case for attempting to overturn the 2020 election, the Supreme Court’s ruling will lead to a review to distinguish between official and unofficial acts in the indictment. Trump has also claimed immunity in his federal case for allegedly withholding White House documents and in his state case for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. These cases, which have already faced delays, are expected to be prolonged further due to the immunity claims.

Trump was indicted in March 2023 on charges related to Cohen’s hush money payments and found guilty in May after a week-long trial. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to silence her allegations of an affair with Trump, which Trump has denied. Trump then reimbursed Cohen through a series of checks in 2017, which prosecutors argued were falsely labeled as legal services. Trump pleaded not guilty, maintaining that the payments to Cohen were appropriately labeled as legal services. Cohen testified that Trump was directly involved in the hush money scheme.

President Biden addresses the Supreme Court’s Trump immunity ruling

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on Monday, which overturned lower court decisions rejecting Trump's immunity claims, has been widely criticized. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent, argued that the ruling undermines the constitutional principle that no person is above the law.