A desperate manhunt is underway in Washington state for Travis Decker, a 33-year-old ex-military man, who is accused of murdering his three young daughters. The case has taken a tragic turn as authorities now consider the possibility that Decker may already be dead.
As the search intensifies across two counties, authorities are exploring every option, including searching rugged wilderness areas where Decker, a survivalist, may have gone off the grid.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
The search for Decker began after his three daughters—9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia—were found dead on June 2. The girls had been picked up by their father for a scheduled visitation but were never returned to their mother, Whitney Decker.
Days later, their bodies were discovered with plastic bags over their heads and their wrists zip-tied, causing authorities to suspect they were suffocated. The tragic incident has left their mother and the local community in shock.
The Search for Travis Decker
Following the discovery of the girls’ bodies, authorities launched an intense search for Decker, who is now wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping.
The search has expanded across multiple counties, with the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office noting that the possibility of Decker’s death is now a growing concern. In a Facebook post, they acknowledged that “there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area.”
State and federal agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Border Patrol, have joined the effort to find Decker. Specialized search teams and cadaver dogs have been deployed to search areas that Decker, known for his survival skills, could have fled to.
Authorities are also considering the possibility that Decker may have attempted to cross the U.S.-Canadian border, citing his internet searches about relocating to Canada in the days before the murders.
Grieving Mother Speaks Out
Whitney Decker, the mother of the three girls, publicly addressed the tragedy during a memorial service for her daughters on June 20. Speaking to the crowd in Wenatchee, Washington, she honored her daughters’ memory, saying, “I truly hope that the legacy of the girls’ lives lives in everyone’s heart.”
She described Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia as “incredible” children whose lives were tragically cut short.
A Nation on Alert
As the search continues, police have warned the public not to approach or attempt to contact Decker if they see him. They have asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to immediately contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office or call the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102.
Authorities are hopeful that someone will come forward with crucial information that could lead to the capture of the man suspected of committing this horrific crime.
The tragic deaths of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia have shaken the community, and the search for their father, Travis Decker, continues. As authorities work tirelessly to locate him, the possibility of him already being dead adds a somber layer to an already devastating situation.
The case highlights the extreme consequences of domestic violence and the deep loss felt by the girls’ mother and everyone who knew them.
