WENATCHEE, WA – Authorities are intensifying their search for Travis Decker, a Washington man charged with the tragic deaths of his three young daughters, as they fear he may be evading capture in the wilderness.
Decker, 32, was charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping on Tuesday after an initial charge of custodial interference. His daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were not returned to their mother, Whitney Decker, by the designated time under their custodial agreement last Friday, prompting her to alert the police.
The girls were found deceased near Decker’s abandoned vehicle, a white GMC Sierra, in a remote campground area early the following week. According to the affidavit, the children were discovered with plastic bags over their heads, and their wrists were bound with zip ties. Investigators have determined asphyxiation as the cause of death.
The distressing case has mobilized a widespread manhunt, including local law enforcement, state police, and the FBI. Authorities issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert and deployed resources to track Decker, who they believe might have the skills to survive for extended periods in the wilderness—a retreat he has reportedly used before.
Decker, an Army veteran diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, was living a transient lifestyle following a contentious divorce with his ex-wife. The court records reveal concerns over his mental stability, which were flagged when he became homeless and allegedly neglected his parental responsibilities.
Authorities have reported finding bloody handprints on Decker’s vehicle, though they remain cautious about attributing them specifically to him. Sheriff Mike Morrison indicated that Decker’s extensive survival skills and potential pre-positioning of supplies make the search challenging despite advances in tracking technology assisting their efforts.
Divorce proceedings further reveal a turbulent history, with Travis accused of lying about the children’s accommodations and being admonished by Whitney for exposing them to his unstable circumstances. Decker defended his actions, implying that his unconventional lifestyle was educational for the girls.
In the aftermath of the alleged crime, Whitney expressed concern over Travis’s deteriorating mental health and urged interventions, although he reportedly resisted court-mandated evaluations and treatments.
Travis Decker’s whereabouts remain unknown as authorities caution he’s considered dangerous despite no indications that he’s armed. A reward of $20,000 has been posted for information leading to his capture, underscoring the urgency of the ongoing search effort.