The tragic deaths of three young sisters who vanished while visiting their homeless father in Washington have been preliminarily ruled as asphyxiation, according to a report filed with Chelan County Superior Court.
Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found deceased Monday evening near their father’s white 2017 GMC Sierra truck at the Rock Island Campground in Wenatchee, roughly three hours east of Seattle. The discovery came after a desperate search following their disappearance.
Timeline and Investigation
The girls were last seen when their father, Travis Decker, 32, picked them up from their home on Friday. Their mother, Whitney Decker, became alarmed after Travis failed to return the girls as scheduled and was unreachable by phone. She immediately alerted Wenatchee police, prompting a search.
During the weekend, authorities tracked Travis Decker’s vehicle to the Leavenworth area. Shortly before the bodies were found, police issued a warrant for Travis on three counts of first-degree custodial interference. The charges were later escalated to include three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
The Suspect and Circumstances
Travis Decker, a military veteran who has been homeless and divorced from Whitney for several years, has been living in campgrounds and hotels in the local area, often accompanied by his dog. Court documents reveal he traveled to and from the Rock Island Campground a day before the girls went missing.
Investigators discovered the truck with two bloody handprints inside, alongside blankets, food, car seats, and a wallet. The campsite nearby showed signs of recent use, intensifying concerns for public safety.
Authorities describe Decker as 5-foot-8, weighing approximately 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. Police warn he may be armed and dangerous, urging anyone with information to call 911 immediately and not to approach him.
Family Plea and Ongoing Search
In the hours before the grim discovery, Whitney Decker issued a heartfelt plea for the safe return of her daughters. “I just want the girls back home safe and sound — that is the most important thing to me,” she said in a statement. “I am concerned about the safety and wellbeing of my girls and their dad. This is an unimaginable situation. I am pleading for everyone to look out for them.”
Whitney had sole custody and had established a parenting plan allowing Travis supervised visits every other weekend in the Wenatchee Valley area. Court records note that Travis was unusually quiet when picking up the girls last Friday, behavior described as “out of character.” He had also expressed struggles with housing and finances, even considering giving up his dog.
According to the documents, Travis Decker was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a detail that adds complexity to the case.
Law Enforcement Response
Following the discovery, SWAT teams and federal agencies—including Homeland Security and the U.S. Forest Service—joined the search for Travis Decker. The community remains on alert as authorities intensify efforts to locate him.