SEATTLE — Authorities have closed off popular campgrounds and backpacking areas along the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington state as law enforcement ramps up the search for Travis Caleb Decker, a former Army soldier, who is wanted in connection with the deaths of his three young daughters.
The search began four days after 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker were found dead at a remote campsite outside Leavenworth.
Initially reported missing by their mother on May 30, the girls were last seen with Decker, who failed to return them to her home in Wenatchee, roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle, after a scheduled visit.
In response to the situation, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced that he had ordered the state’s National Guard to assist in the search efforts.
He stated, “The brutal murder of these young children has shocked our state. We will be providing helicopter transportation for law enforcement as they search in remote areas.”
More than 100 officers from various law enforcement agencies are currently involved in the search across the rugged terrain of the Cascade Mountains in central Washington. So far, over 500 tips from the public have been received, aiding the ongoing investigation.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that they are coordinating with surrounding counties to monitor any movements by Decker through the forest areas.
Travis Caleb Decker, 32, served as an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and had a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. According to Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, from 2014 to 2016, he was part of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
Concerns regarding Decker’s mental health surfaced in September when his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, submitted a petition to modify their parenting plan. She highlighted that his mental health had deteriorated, causing him to become increasingly unstable.
In her petition, she expressed her fears for the safety of the girls when they were in his care, stating, “He has made huge sacrifices to serve our country and loves his girls very much but he has got to get better.”
Whitney Decker sought to limit his overnight visits until he found stable housing, noting that she could not allow their daughters to stay in unsupervised conditions in his truck, sometimes living in extreme weather and unsafe environments.
Authorities have alerted communities to be watchful for Decker and urged residents with remote homes or cabins to ensure they are secure. They advised keeping blinds open for visibility and leaving exterior lights on for law enforcement to scan the areas.
Decker is considered dangerous, though it is currently unclear if he is armed. A reward has been established, offering up to $20,000 for information leading to his capture.
In an outpouring of support, an online fundraiser for Whitney Decker has raised over $1 million. Friends of the girls expressed their condolences and recalled their vibrant spirits.
Amy Edwards, who taught the girls in a theater program known as “Short Shakespeareans,” along with Mark Belton, highlighted the impact the girls had on those around them. Edwards stated, “Their laughter, curiosity and spirit left a mark on all of us.”
Both Edwards and Belton noted that Whitney Decker hopes this tragedy will lead to reform in the state’s Amber Alert system and improvements in mental health care for veterans.
Notably, during the time the girls were reported missing, Wenatchee police did request the Washington State Patrol to issue an Amber Alert, which was denied as it was deemed a custody matter without an immediate threat. However, an “endangered missing person alert” was issued the following day, though these alerts do not trigger mobile phone notifications.
As the search efforts intensified over the past weekend, a sheriff’s deputy discovered Decker’s pickup truck near Rock Island Campground, situated northwest of Leavenworth.
Investigative findings revealed two bloody handprints on the tailgate of the vehicle. Tragically, evidence suggests the girls had been bound with zip ties when their bodies were found down an embankment close to the truck.
County Coroner Wayne Harris reported that the office is currently awaiting pathology results to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the girls’ deaths.
In light of these developments, authorities previously issued closure notices for the camping area in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and other regions, including trails and campgrounds along the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends from the Canadian border to Mexico.
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