A devastating tragedy has gripped a Washington community after the bodies of three young sisters were found near a remote campground, believed to have been suffocated.
The heartbreaking case has prompted an intense manhunt for their father, Travis Decker, who remains at large and faces multiple charges in connection with their deaths.
Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8 and Olivia Decker, 5, disappeared following a scheduled three-hour visit with their father last Friday.
When he failed to return the girls as planned, their mother, Whitney, reported them missing, triggering days of frantic searching by authorities.
The search ended Monday afternoon when the girls’ bodies were discovered at Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth, Washington, just a short distance from their father’s truck, according to the Daily Mail.
Investigators found disturbing evidence at the scene. Each girl had a plastic bag placed over her head, with zip ties securing her wrists.
The truck’s tailgate bore two bloody handprints. Inside, officers found blankets, food, car seats and a wallet on the center console.
The campground also showed signs of recent activity, including a tent and cooler nearby, but Decker was nowhere to be found.
Law enforcement officials have charged Decker, 32, with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Authorities warn the public not to approach him, noting that Decker is a military veteran with extensive combat training and may pose a significant risk.
He does not have permanent housing and is known to stay at hotels and campgrounds throughout the region.
Family members have expressed deep concern over Decker’s mental health struggles following his military service.
His ex-wife Whitney told KIRO 7 that he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder but failed to follow through with court-ordered mental health and anger management treatments.
Whitney described Decker as “quieter than usual” during the last visit—a behavior out of character for him—and noted his ongoing financial and housing difficulties, including talk of getting rid of his dog.
Court documents filed during their divorce paint a troubling picture of the girls’ welfare during visitation.
Whitney reported that Decker sometimes had the children sleep at the armory while he was on National Guard duty, despite her objections.
She described him as prone to sudden outbursts and recounted instances where the girls returned from visits with unexplained injuries or crying.
In one alarming case, Olivia called her mother in tears during a visit, saying she couldn’t find her father. Evelyn was also reported to have had welts on her legs after a stay with Decker.
Despite these concerns, Whitney emphasized she never wanted to sever the children’s relationship with their father.
“I have bent over backwards to facilitate that relationship,” she wrote in court filings, per the Daily Mail.
However, she also voiced serious fears for their safety, describing some living conditions as “essentially a homeless shelter” with the girls staying in tents or in his truck under harsh and unpredictable circumstances.
The girls’ maternal grandmother echoed these worries, stating that the children often appeared upset and unhappy after their visits.
She described the girls as being normally happy and well-adjusted but noticeably distressed after spending time with their father.
Following the discovery of the bodies, a judge issued a warrant for Decker’s arrest and ordered he be held without bail.
Authorities continue to actively search for him and have asked the public for assistance while urging caution.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Whitney and her family. It quickly raised more than $385,000 by Wednesday afternoon.
The fundraiser’s message mourned the loss of the girls and called for community support.
“These girls were true light in this world and it is a darker place without them,” it reads. “I will miss seeing their sweet little faces. Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support.”
