More than three weeks after the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker were discovered near their father’s abandoned truck in the Washington wilderness, the multi-agency manhunt for former U.S. Army soldier Travis Decker continues—though authorities are now openly acknowledging the chilling possibility that the accused triple murderer may already be dead.
Decker, 33, is wanted on multiple charges including first-degree murder and kidnapping after the bodies of his daughters—ages 9, 8, and 5—were found on June 2 at Rock Island Campground in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The discovery came just days after their mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing on May 30 following a scheduled custody visit.
According to investigators, the girls were found with plastic bags over their heads and signs of having been zip-tied. Their father’s truck was found abandoned nearby.
Since then, local, state, and federal agencies—led by the Chelan and Kittitas County Sheriffs and supported by U.S. Marshals—have scoured the rugged Central Washington backcountry for signs of Decker. The search has spanned hundreds of square miles in areas such as the Teanaway Valley, Blewett Pass, and the Enchantments. Tactical teams have endured harsh terrain and conditions while deploying helicopters, K9 units, and now cadaver dogs in a growing recovery effort.
From Fugitive Manhunt to Possible Body Recovery
In a June 24 statement, Kittitas County Sheriff Clay Myers admitted that the once-hopeful early leads had “given way to less convincing proofs,” suggesting that Decker may have succumbed to the unforgiving wilderness.
“At this time, there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area,” Myers stated. “Still, we can’t and won’t quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice. And Decker remains a danger to the public as long as he’s at large.”
That danger, while increasingly hypothetical, is still taken seriously. Myers added that extra patrols and tactical teams are continuing in the region in case Decker resurfaces for food or supplies. Meanwhile, the U.S. Marshals have expanded their resources to consider that Decker may have fled the region altogether.
Lessons from the Hunt for Eric Rudolph
Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider—a former FBI agent who helped track down Olympic Park Bomber Eric Rudolph—said he has offered advice to the Decker search teams. But unlike Rudolph, who was aided by sympathizers during his five-year run from the law, Crider believes Decker is unlikely to find public support.
“He also had individuals that were aiding him in his attempt to elude law enforcement. I don’t think that’s the case here. I don’t think this individual is going to get any sympathy from the public based on what he did,” Crider told KIRO Newsradio.
A History of Struggles Before the Slayings
Court records reveal Decker was reportedly struggling with mental health issues and living out of his white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck in the weeks before the killings. He was considered homeless and unstable—details that have raised questions about how he was granted custody access to his daughters in the first place.
Authorities say they have now received more than 500 tips, but none have led to Decker’s capture. Search crews are increasingly focused on uninhabited terrain and abandoned cabins, hoping to find evidence that could confirm either his survival—or his death.
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Chris Whitsett told CBS News that based on the conditions and the terrain, it’s possible Decker “didn’t intend to die out there, but he may not survive much longer.”
A Community in Mourning
While the manhunt continues, the Wenatchee community gathered to mourn the three slain sisters. A public memorial held on June 20 at Rocky Reach Park brought hundreds together, many dressed in the girls’ favorite colors—purple, pink, and green.
“You all look beautiful, and I know that Evelyn would have loved to ‘ooo’ and ‘awe’ over all of your outfits,” their mother, Whitney Decker, said during an emotional address. “I truly hope that the legacy of the girls’ lives lives on in everyone’s heart forever—they were incredible.”
Justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia
Though the trails may be cold, the search for answers is far from over. Law enforcement officials emphasize the importance of public vigilance—whether it’s a hiker spotting something strange on the trail or a cabin owner noticing signs of tampering.
“We still believe public awareness and help is our best tool,” Sheriff Myers stated. “Whether it comes from a cabin owner who finds something out of place, a hiker in the Enchantments who discovers evidence our searches missed, or anyone else.”
Until Decker is found—dead or alive—the case remains open, painful, and deeply unsettling. For now, a mother mourns her daughters, and a community prays for closure.
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