Three little girls are gone. Their father is missing. And their mother’s worst fear has become a nightmare too tragic to imagine.
The search continues for Travis Decker, the father now wanted for three counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and custodial interference, after the bodies of his daughters — Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia Decker (5) — were found at a remote Washington campsite on Monday, June 2.
Their mother, Whitney Decker, had felt something was wrong almost immediately.
“As soon as he didn’t bring those girls back at 8 o’clock, she knew something was going on,”
— Arianna Cozart, attorney for Whitney Decker
The children were supposed to return from a court-ordered visitation with their father on May 30. When they didn’t, Whitney raised the alarm. Tragically, it was already too late.
A Tragic Timeline Unfolds
According to Wenatchee police, the girls’ bodies were discovered near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, close to where Travis Decker’s pickup truck was located — but he was nowhere to be found.
Authorities now believe the girls died by asphyxiation, as revealed in a preliminary report filed with Chelan County Superior Court.
Court records paint a harrowing picture of a custody battle marked by emotional instability and unaddressed concerns. Whitney had filed for divorce in November 2022, and while her original filing didn’t accuse Decker of abuse, later documents raised red flags.
In a September 2024 filing, Whitney alleged that Decker had “neglected his parental duties” and suffered from long-term emotional or physical problems that interfered with his parenting ability. She requested he undergo anger management, domestic violence counseling, and a full psychiatric evaluation.
Despite these concerns, an Amber Alert was never issued. Instead, Washington State Patrol opted for an “endangered missing person alert,” which does not trigger cell phone notifications.
“We may never know if it could’ve meant the difference between life and death for those girls … but it could’ve made a huge difference,”
— Arianna Cozart
Who Is Travis Decker?
Decker, 32, is described by authorities as highly skilled in wilderness survival, with military training and the ability to survive off-grid for extended periods. Law enforcement warns he may be armed, dangerous, and possibly suffering from a mental health crisis.
In a press release dated June 5, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office urged residents in Chelan, Kittitas, King, Snohomish, and Okanagan Counties to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious. They have already executed multiple search warrants, including those for Decker’s electronic devices.
A Mother’s Grief, A Nation’s Outrage
Attorney Cozart believes Decker had experienced a mental break, likely triggered by unresolved trauma.
“Whitney believes, as I do, that something broke inside of him… Everything he had been living with, everything bottled up inside of him, just won out.”
As the manhunt intensifies, Whitney is left to grieve not just for one child, but for all three of her daughters — lives taken far too soon, under circumstances that raise questions about systemic failure.
How You Can Help
Authorities ask the public not to approach Travis Decker if seen. Instead, call 911 immediately, or contact the Chelan County tip line at 509-667-6845.
A GoFundMe page created to support Whitney Decker’s legal and living expenses amid this unimaginable tragedy has raised more than $910,000 as of June 5.
This story is still unfolding. At Beyond Fiction, we remain committed to following it as it develops — not only to inform, but to honor the lives of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, and to hold systems accountable when warning signs go ignored.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text “START” to 88788.
Thank you for reading. Stories like this remind us how quickly the unthinkable can happen — and how urgently we must listen when someone says, “I’m afraid.” Stay with Beyond Fiction as we seek justice and answers.
