Whitney Decker, the grieving mother of three young daughters allegedly murdered by their father, Travis Decker, has spoken out for the first time since the tragic deaths.
At a memorial service held on June 20, 2025, in Wenatchee, Washington, Whitney shared an emotional tribute to her daughters: Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5.
Heartfelt Words at the Memorial
During the service, Whitney addressed the crowd, teary-eyed, saying, “You all look beautiful,” and recalling the warm personalities of her daughters. “I know Evelyn would have loved to ooh and aah over all your outfits,” she said, reflecting on the kind and affectionate nature of her girls.
Whitney also shared that Paityn would often give compliments to others, telling her, “You look beautiful, Mom,” whether they were at the grocery store or school.
Whitney revealed that her daughters had been in therapy as part of their effort to manage the emotions tied to their parents’ divorce. She expressed gratitude for this time, saying, “I’m so thankful for that time I had with the girls,” and described how their bedtime discussions helped them connect deeply with one another.
“When the world slowed down, it gave me an inside look at their day,” she added. She believed these conversations helped her daughters develop kindness and open hearts.
Remembering Their Warm Hearts
As she closed her tribute, Whitney thanked everyone for their support, saying, “I truly hope that the legacy of the girls’ lives lives on in everyone’s heart forever. They were incredible.” She also acknowledged how her daughters’ “warm and open hearts” helped her through her challenging divorce from their father, Travis.
Background on the Tragic Incident
The heartbreaking deaths of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia have rocked the community. The girls were last seen on May 30, 2025, leaving their Washington home to visit their father. According to the Wenatchee Police Department, this visitation was part of a formal parenting plan.
However, Travis Decker went beyond the agreed-upon terms, leading to concerns when he failed to return the girls to their mother by the expected time. Whitney reported them missing that night.
Authorities later discovered Travis’s car near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, and found the girls’ bodies on June 2, 2025. The cause of death was confirmed to be suffocation.
Despite an extensive search, Travis was not found at the scene, and he is now facing charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and custodial interference. The search for him continued for several days, with investigators suspecting that Travis may have died by suicide.
A Family Torn Apart
In an email statement to PEOPLE, Whitney’s attorney, Arianna Cozart, stated that Travis had been struggling with mental health issues, including paranoia and borderline personality disorder, prior to the divorce. Cozart also mentioned that Travis had sought mental health care but had been unable to receive it.
The search for Travis continued, and on June 8, 2025, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office handed over the search efforts to federal authorities, though they vowed to continue leading the criminal investigation.
Whitney Decker’s words at the memorial painted a picture of three loving daughters who brought light and joy into their mother’s life. The community continues to mourn the loss of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, while also grappling with the shock and sadness surrounding their tragic deaths.
