Authorities have released disturbing new details in the case of three young Washington sisters who were allegedly murdered by their father during a court-approved visit.
The bodies of Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five, were found on June 2 near the Rock Island Campground, ending a three-day search that began when their father, Travis Decker, 32, failed to return them to their mother after a scheduled visitation.
On Monday (June 9), the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the girls each died by suffocation, with Fox News reporting that the deaths have been ruled a homicide.
Further forensic analysis revealed male DNA at the scene, as well as a second blood sample that was confirmed not to be human. Investigators noted that Decker had left behind his dog when he fled. “The suspect’s dog was recovered and turned over to the humane society for safe care,” the sheriff’s office added, via thE Daily Mail. Additional fingerprint and DNA testing is ongoing.
The sisters were reported missing on May 30 after their father vanished with them during a three-hour, court-approved visit. Their mother, Whitney Decker, said through her attorney that she had no warning signs. “She had no reason to suspect anything was wrong,” her lawyer, Arianna Cozart, told CNN.
However, a supervisor at Travis Decker’s construction job later told Whitney that he had seemed “on the brink of something extreme” on the day he disappeared with the girls.
Whitney says she pleaded with police to issue an Amber Alert when the girls first went missing but was told the case did not meet the necessary criteria.
When the children’s bodies were discovered, they were found with zip ties around their wrists and plastic bags over their heads, consistent with deliberate suffocation.
In the days following the discovery, investigators served multiple search warrants for Decker’s Google accounts. According to a federal affidavit reviewed by The independent, he had searched on May 26 for terms including: “how does a person move to Canada,” “how to relocate to Canada,” and “jobs Canada.” He also visited the Canadian government’s official job search site, “Find a job, Canada.ca.”
The affidavit, obtained by NBC News , written by Deputy U.S. Marshal Keegan Stanley, added that the girls’ remains were discovered roughly 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, a remote pathway that leads directly into Canada, and not far from the border itself.
Authorities believe Decker may be attempting to escape into Canada using his extensive training in survival and navigation. “Decker has training in navigation, woodland/mountainous terrain, long-distance movements, survival and numerous other disciplines needed to be able to flee,” Stanley wrote.
According to E! Online, the affidavit also noted that Decker was known to spend extended time in the wilderness. “Prior to the alleged crimes, Decker frequently recreated in outdoor, woodland, and mountainous areas throughout Washington and surrounding states,” it continued. “He engaged in hiking, camping, survival skill practice, hunting, and at one point, lived off the grid in the backwoods for approximately 2.5 months.”
Due to the complexity and scope of the manhunt, local authorities handed over the search to federal officials on June 8. “We had reached a point where we need to rest our local resources,” the sheriff’s office said, adding that local teams remain involved behind the scenes while taking time to recuperate.
Decker remains wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping. He is considered extremely dangerous.
He is described as 5’8” tall, with black hair and brown eyes. An updated wanted poster shows him wearing a tan or green t-shirt with the number 59 on the sleeve, dark shorts, and flip flops. He was last seen with his hair tied back and carrying pizza boxes. The poster also highlights distinctive tattoos on his arms and ankle.
Federal authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings. Anyone with information about Travis Decker’s whereabouts is asked to contact law enforcement immediately.
