Federal authorities have taken charge of the manhunt for Travis Decker, a father accused of the heinous kidnapping and murder of his three young daughters at a campsite in Washington state.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office initiated the search for Decker on May 30 when his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, reported that their daughters — Olivia, 5; Evelyn, 8; and Paityn, 9 — had not returned from a scheduled visitation with him.
Following a thorough weekend search, Decker’s abandoned vehicle was discovered near a campground in central Washington state on June 1, along with the bodies of his daughters found nearby. Decker, 32, remained at large.
A large-scale manhunt involving state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies has since unfolded.
On Saturday, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared that he was allocating emergency funds to assist in the search for Decker, which included mobilizing National Guard helicopters to support the ongoing operation.
“As a parent, my heart goes out to Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia’s mom, Whitney, and all those who love them,” Governor Ferguson wrote on social media. “The brutal murder of these young children has shocked our state.”
The U.S. Marshals have announced a reward of up to $20,000 for any tips leading to Decker’s arrest. He is a resident of Wenatchee, Washington, and has been identified as a “former military member with extensive tactical training.”
Reports from authorities indicate that Decker possesses significant wilderness survival skills and is capable of living off the land for days or even weeks with minimal equipment.
Despite uncertainty about whether he is armed, authorities consider Decker dangerous and are advising the public to immediately call 911 if they see him, and to avoid any direct confrontation.
Local residents, especially those who own cabins in remote corners of Chelan, Kittitas King, Snohomish, and Okanagan counties, have been urged to secure their homes. Authorities recommend keeping outdoor lights on and window blinds open while reviewing doorbell and security camera footage for any sightings of Decker.
As of Monday night, law enforcement officials alerted the public that Decker may be in the vicinity of Ingalls Creek and Valley High in Chelan County.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office stated that it had received over 500 tips from the public, alongside new electronic leads, and had conducted searches across hundreds of square miles using land, water, and air resources. Local search efforts were handed over to federal authorities due to resource constraints.
Further details surrounding Decker reveal that he served as an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021, with deployment in Afghanistan from March to July 2014 before leaving active duty as a staff sergeant.
An affidavit submitted to the Chelan County Superior Court revealed that Whitney Decker expressed concerns about her ex-husband’s mental health, noting that he had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and may not have been adhering to treatment.
Whitney Decker and Travis Decker had three children together before divorcing after about seven years of marriage. She described the family’s relationship as generally good, and explained that there had been no issues in recent visitations or communications with her ex-husband.
However, she noted that his behavior had taken a concerning turn, stating he had been “quieter than usual” during their last interaction on May 30 and had discussed financial troubles and issues related to housing that had affected his ability to care for his dog.
Whitney also indicated that the latest updates to their parenting plan had restricted overnight visits following the loss of Decker’s permanent housing.
The grim details surrounding the discovery of the children’s bodies sparked outrage and horror, as authorities located their remains along with their father’s abandoned truck in a remote area of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, near Leavenworth.
The investigation revealed that inside the truck were signs of potential foul play, including bloodstains and evidence of a struggle. The children’s bodies were found down a small embankment, alongside physical evidence suggesting they had been restrained during the incident.
An autopsy confirmed the cause of death for each of the girls was suffocation, and their deaths were classified as homicides.
In response to the rapidly evolving situation, law enforcement conducted interviews with Decker’s known associates, reviewed security footage, and patrolled areas he frequented.
Authorities acknowledged the distinct possibility that Decker might have left the region altogether, and have been coordinating with surrounding counties to ensure a comprehensive search effort should he move into their jurisdictions.
As of late Monday, visibility of law enforcement in the area surrounding Ingalls Creek and Valley High increased, signifying heightened precautions in response to this unsettling case.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5429550/travis-decker-daughters-murder-manhunt-washington
