Three young sisters, who disappeared while on a visit to their father, have been tragically found dead, according to police reports on Tuesday. The girls, identified as Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were discovered near their father’s vehicle in a campground in Wenatchee. The search for the girls had involved SWAT teams and a Homeland Security helicopter.
The AMBER alerts for the girls were abruptly called off late Monday, prior to the confirmation of their deaths on Tuesday. The police expressed their “sincere and deep heartfelt condolences to the family.”
The girls’ father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, remains at large. Decker, a military veteran, had picked up the girls from their mother’s residence for a scheduled visit on Friday. He then disappeared with them in his white 2017 GMC Sierra truck.
Prior to the discovery of the bodies, a warrant had been issued for Decker’s arrest on charges of first-degree custodial interference. These charges were later upgraded to three counts each of kidnapping and first-degree murder.
Decker, who is homeless and divorced from the girls’ mother, was known to frequent local campgrounds and hotels with his dog. After picking up the girls on Friday, Decker and his vehicle were spotted later that weekend in the west end of Leavenworth, prompting a police search in the surrounding wooded areas.
The girls’ bodies were discovered at the Rock Island Campground, approximately 18 miles west of Leavenworth, around 5 p.m. on Monday. Following the discovery, SWAT teams and federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the US Forest Service, intensified the search for Decker.
The girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, had made a desperate plea for their safe return on Monday, just hours before the bodies were found. She expressed her concern for the safety and wellbeing of her daughters and their father, describing the situation as “unimaginable.”
Whitney Decker had previously stated that she had not experienced any issues when her ex-husband had custody of the children. She acknowledged his struggles with mental health since leaving the military but did not believe him to be a danger.
The local community has been deeply affected by the tragedy, with the Wenatchee School District, where all three girls were students, offering counseling services for students and staff. The district has asked for respect and privacy as the community begins the healing process.
Authorities have released a description of Decker and are appealing to the public for assistance in locating him. He is described as 5-foot-8 tall, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities have warned that Decker may pose a significant threat if approached and have urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact 911 immediately.