Nationwide Manhunt Underway for Army Veteran Following the Deaths of Three Daughters
ICARO Media Group
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Authorities nationwide have launched an extensive manhunt to locate Travis Decker, an army veteran accused of murdering his three daughters. The tragic discovery of the girls' bodies occurred on Monday night at a campground near Leavenworth, Washington.
Travis Decker faces three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. His extensive military and outdoor survival training have thus far hindered the expansive search efforts. Law enforcement has deemed him armed and dangerous, though it remains unconfirmed if he is currently carrying any weapons. Decker is described as white, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
The investigation began following a call from the children's mother, Whitney, on May 31. She expressed concerns about Decker's recent behavior related to financial stress and homelessness. Despite a civil complaint prompting a search, initial attempts to locate Decker were unsuccessful. His truck was last seen crossing the Wenatchee bridge shortly after he picked up his daughters—9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia.
The search intensified as multiple agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security, and U.S. Marshals, joined the effort. On May 29 and 30, phone location data placed Decker's last known whereabouts in the Leavenworth area, leading authorities to expand their search to the region. Although the criteria for an Amber Alert were not initially met, a statewide endangered missing persons alert was later issued.
Detectives from the Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and the Wenatchee Police Department followed further leads, eventually locating Decker's truck near the Rock Island campground. A subsequent ground search uncovered an abandoned camp, and tragically, the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were found nearby with plastic bags over their heads. Evidence, including zip ties and bloody handprints, pointed to Decker as the primary suspect.
The CCSO has confirmed Decker's extensive military training and raised the reward for information leading to his capture to $20,000. Authorities urge anyone with knowledge of Decker's whereabouts to contact 911 or submit tips online to the CCSO.