A manhunt is underway for Travis Decker, a 32-year-old veteran of the Army and National Guard, who is the primary suspect in the kidnapping and murder of his three young daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5—after a scheduled custody visit turned tragic.
The girls were reported missing on Friday, May 30, when Decker failed to return them to their mother, Whitney Decker, by the 8 p.m. deadline. Their mother quickly notified authorities, prompting a massive search effort by the Wenatchee Police Department, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, U.S. Marshals, and other agencies.
On Monday afternoon, deputies located Decker’s white 2017 GMC Sierra abandoned near the Rock Island Campground in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, about 70 miles east of Seattle. After searching the area, law enforcement found the bodies of the three girls approximately 75 to 100 yards from the vehicle.
Graphic details surrounding the children’s deaths have been intentionally excluded from this article. Full details are available for adult readers at TheSaltySoldierUncensored.com.
Decker is now wanted on three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree kidnapping, and custodial interference. Authorities say he may be armed and poses a significant risk to the public. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts and is described as 5’9” and approximately 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Decker served in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2021 and was deployed to Afghanistan. He transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021, where he served part-time before reportedly ceasing participation in drills about a year ago.
A Pattern of Instability and Warning Signs
Court documents reviewed by KIRO 7 and local media reveal a pattern of instability in Decker’s life following his separation from Whitney Decker in 2022. In the months and years after their divorce filing, Whitney described Decker as homeless and struggling with mental health, including borderline personality disorder and narcissistic behaviors.
Despite his declining stability, Decker was granted limited, non-overnight weekend visitation with his daughters under a modified parenting plan. Whitney expressed repeated concerns about his housing situation, mental health, and lack of compliance with court-ordered psychiatric evaluations.
Court filings from September 2024 detail a series of disturbing incidents, including the girls allegedly sleeping on mattresses in an armory, unsupervised children in potentially dangerous environments, and alarming emotional distress during visitation transitions.
Whitney Decker petitioned the court to further restrict Travis’s contact with the children and requested a full psychiatric evaluation, anger management treatment, and domestic violence counseling. Despite acknowledging his love for his children, she raised urgent concerns about their safety in his custody. The court eventually ruled in her favor, modifying the visitation schedule and limiting Travis’s time alone with the girls.
On the night of the children’s disappearance, Whitney noted that Travis had behaved unusually quiet and had failed to communicate his plans for the visit, in violation of their parenting agreement. When he failed to return the girls and went unreachable by phone, she immediately contacted police.
Community Mourning and Support for the Family
The Wenatchee community has been left shattered by the loss of three young lives. The girls—students at Lincoln Elementary—were known for their bright personalities and loving spirits.
“This is an absolutely heartbreaking day for the Wenatchee School District,” said Diana Haglund, the district’s communications director. “Our focus right now is entirely on supporting their family and our Lincoln school community through this unimaginable pain.”
District counselors have been mobilized to assist staff and students, while local businesses and residents have begun organizing support efforts for Whitney Decker.
A GoFundMe organized by a family friend raised over $65,000 in its first few days to cover funeral costs and allow Whitney time to grieve without financial pressure. Donations are also being collected at local shops, including Ernie’s Market and The Bloom Flowery.
Anyone with information on Travis Decker’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately. Authorities stress that he may be dangerous and should not be approached.
The Salty Soldier will continue to follow this story as it develops.
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