Wenatchee, WA – The search for Travis Decker, 32, intensifies after new photos and video footage were released by authorities in connection to the tragic slayings of his three young daughters. Decker is facing charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference in the deaths of 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker.
The Discovery of the Sisters’ Bodies
The horrifying discovery was made on Monday, June 2, when deputies from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office located the bodies of the three girls at a remote campground near Wenatchee. The children were found with plastic bags over their heads and signs of being zip-tied, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. The tragic findings followed a two-day search after the girls were reported missing by their mother, Whitney Decker, on Friday, May 30.
The children had been scheduled to visit their father, Travis Decker, and their disappearance quickly escalated into a high-stakes manhunt. Local, state, and federal authorities have now joined forces to locate Decker, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Details of the Investigation and Manhunt
Following the discovery of the girls’ bodies, authorities launched an extensive search for Travis Decker, who remains at large. On Thursday, June 5, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they were narrowing their search efforts after receiving new information related to his whereabouts. Police have continued to track his movements, utilizing cell phone records that showed Decker had visited the same campground the day before the girls were kidnapped.
Officials also confirmed that Decker’s white 2017 GMC Sierra truck was found near the Rock Island Campground, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee. Despite the extensive search in the surrounding area, Decker has not been located.
The case has generated widespread attention, with an online fundraiser for the children’s mother raising nearly $1 million by Thursday, June 5. The community has rallied around the family as authorities work tirelessly to capture Decker.
The Disappearance of the Sisters
The tragic chain of events began on Friday, May 30, when the three sisters left their home in Wenatchee for a planned visit with their father. Whitney Decker reported the girls missing the same day, prompting an immediate investigation. Washington State Patrol issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the children on May 31, though an Amber Alert was not issued initially as the case did not meet the required criteria, according to Wenatchee police.
As investigators traced the movements of Decker’s truck, they learned that it had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on the day of the girls’ disappearance. The search then shifted to the Rock Island Campground, where the bodies were later found. Authorities believe Decker had been in the area the day before the kidnapping, based on his cell phone records.
The Growing Community Support
The horrific nature of this crime has sparked an outpouring of support from the community and beyond. As the search continues, the mother of the girls, Whitney Decker, has received an overwhelming amount of financial and emotional support, with nearly $1 million raised through an online fundraiser by June 5.
Authorities continue their search for Travis Decker, and the public has been urged to remain vigilant. Investigators are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
As the manhunt for Travis Decker continues, questions remain about how this tragic situation unfolded and what might have led to such a heartbreaking outcome. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, while the community holds out hope that Decker will soon be apprehended and held accountable for the deaths of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia.
