In Wenatchee, Washington, Friday afternoon, May 30, 2025, began like any other. For Whitney Decker, it was supposed to be a routine custody exchange involving her three daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5. The girls were scheduled for a court-ordered visit with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker. He arrived at 5:00 p.m. and assured Whitney they would be home by 8:00 p.m. That promise was never fulfilled.
When the girls failed to return on time and Travis stopped answering his phone, concern quickly turned to fear. By the morning of May 31, the sisters were officially reported missing, triggering an intensive search and a weekend of anguish for their family and the community.
A Devastating Discovery
The search ended in tragedy on June 2. A hiker near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County spotted a white 2017 GMC pickup truck matching descriptions from public alerts. Authorities arrived around 3:00 p.m. and found the vehicle abandoned, containing Travis Decker’s wallet, cellphone, and personal belongings.
Nearby, search teams made a horrific discovery. The bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were found concealed in brush not far from the truck. The girls had been restrained with zip ties, and plastic bags were found over their heads. Autopsies conducted between June 6 and June 9 confirmed the cause of death as homicidal suffocation. The case officially became a triple-homicide investigation.
Manhunt for the Father
Travis Decker disappeared into the surrounding wilderness. A former U.S. Army soldier and National Guard veteran, he was known to have extensive survival training, making the search especially challenging. Multiple agencies—including local sheriff’s departments, the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the National Guard—joined the manhunt.
Investigators found blood on the truck’s tailgate, later confirmed through DNA testing to belong to Travis. Additional biological evidence suggested animal blood, likely from his dog, which was found alive near the scene and taken to a humane society. The absence of evidence indicating a fourth body led authorities to believe Travis remained alive and on the run.
Background and Warning Signs
Travis Decker grew up in Wisconsin and served in Afghanistan in 2014 before joining the Washington National Guard. He had been diagnosed with PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder and was reportedly living an unstable lifestyle, moving between motels, campsites, and his truck.
Although some acquaintances described him as an involved father with no known violent past, court records revealed growing concern. Whitney had raised alarms about his mental health, and the court had ordered him to attend anger management and counseling as a condition of visitation. Still, those involved in the case later stated there were no clear indicators predicting such an extreme act.
Evidence of Planning
Investigators uncovered online search activity suggesting premeditation. In the days before the girls disappeared, Travis searched for information on relocating to Canada and surviving in remote wilderness areas. As a result, authorities have focused efforts on the Pacific Crest Trail and other isolated routes leading north.
The ongoing search includes:
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Aerial surveillance using helicopters and thermal-imaging drones
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Ground operations with tracking dogs and specialized wilderness teams
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Increased border monitoring, especially in remote areas near Canada
Community Mourning and Ongoing Search
The Wenatchee community continues to grieve the loss of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia—three young sisters remembered for their energy, warmth, and innocence. Their deaths have raised painful questions about safeguards meant to protect children in custody arrangements.
Whitney Decker and her family have asked the public to assist law enforcement in locating Travis Decker, who is currently wanted on:
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Three counts of first-degree murder
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Three counts of kidnapping
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Custodial interference
Authorities warn that he should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest. Law enforcement urges anyone with relevant information to contact authorities immediately, as the search continues in hopes of bringing justice to a devastated family.
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