Whitney Decker gave each of her three girls a hug and a kiss as she said goodbye for the last time. She had no idea that it would be the last time she saw them alive.
Olivia Decker, 5, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Paityn Decker, 9, were found choked to death at an empty campsite in Washington state on Monday, according to police. This led to a massive search for their father, Travis Decker.
Whitney had given Decker, 32, the girls for their regularly scheduled visit on May 30, the Friday before the terrible finding. Even though they hadn’t been married in a few years, her lawyer Arianna Cozart said that the couple kept in touch as co-parents and friends.
That was the last thing he said to Whitney. “See you at eight,” Cozart said. Whitney noticed that he was quieter than usual, but the conversation went smoothly, so she didn’t think much of it. That is, until the sun went down behind the hills and dusk spread across the sky, leaving the girls still not home.
When Whitney called the Wenatchee police to report the girls missing, she said Decker wasn’t supposed to keep his daughters out after 8 p.m., and their custody plan said Decker couldn’t have them over for the night.
She told the cops that his phone was going to voicemail right away.
A police statement filed in the Chelan County Superior Court says the mother told them Decker “has never failed to return the kids” and usually lets her know when he is running late. The mother seemed to be crying when she arrived at the police station.
According to the affidavit, Whitney told police that she thought he was having mental health problems even though he had a “good relationship” with his girls and they liked spending time together.
“However, he never showed Whitney any “red flags,”” Cozart said.
Police checked the hotels and rooms in Wenatchee, as well as the camping list at the state park, after talking to Whitney. They then checked the surrounding area as well. Decker’s name wasn’t on any of the lists.
The day the girls went missing, the Wenatchee Police Department asked the Washington State Patrol to send out an Amber Alert. However, an alert was not sent because, according to the police affidavit, “there was no current evidence” that the girls were in danger of being seriously hurt or killed.
The next day, Decker and the girls didn’t show up to a running event at the park as planned. Police gave the Washington State Patrol more information, and they then sent out an Endangered Missing Person Alert asking for help in finding Olivia, Evelyn, and Paityn.
When the girls went missing, a huge search began. Friends, family, and helpers joined the search to find the girls. Then, on Monday, the father’s pickup truck was found at a park in Chelan County, empty and with two bloody handprints on the back bumper.
The girls’ bodies were down a small slope about 75 yards away.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s office says that police are looking for Travis Decker across the county, including in local forests and wilderness areas. Decker is wanted on three counts of murder and kidnapping.
On Saturday, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said that emergency funds would be used and that the Washington National Guard would help the search for Travis Decker. He warned people in the area to keep their doors and windows locked and stay away from closed areas.
At the same time, a picture of Travis Decker is taking shape: he is an Army veteran and National Guardsman who is homeless, an experienced forest survivalist, a devoted father, and, according to his ex-wife, a man who is having mental health problems.
The search for Travis Decker
In the foothills of the Cascade Range, between Seattle and Spokane, is the city of Wenatchee. Rough peaks give way to rolling fields and breathtaking views of the Columbia River winding through the valley, a view that is now marred by tragedy.
The sisters were found about 30 minutes to the northwest, in the Wenatchee River Ranger district. This is a remote, hilly area of Washington that covers about 696,000 acres. Police say the girls’ arms were zip-tied together and plastic bags were over their heads.
The Enchantments, a famous place for backcountry hiking and camping, has been closed off since their bodies were found. Police are searching the forest for any signs of the tattooed Army veteran. Photos and a video clip of Travis Decker from the days before his meet with the girls have been made public by the police. Dark shorts and a light-colored shirt were the last things that were seen of him. His dark hair was pulled back into a knot.
Decker is “well versed in wilderness survival and capable of spending days or even weeks in the wilderness on his own and with very little equipment,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release on Wednesday. This makes the search more likely to be unsuccessful.
The US Marshals are giving a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to Decker’s arrest. The former soldier also has “extensive tactical training.”
A spokesman for the US Army said that Travis Decker was an infantryman and staff sergeant in the army for eight years, including five months in Afghanistan. The National Guard stated that he is currently a member of the Washington National Guard but is in the process of being dumped because he missed drills.
The sheriff’s office has told people in nearby counties to lock their doors, even on outbuildings and sheds, and leave their outdoor lights on and blinds open while the search continues.
His ex-wife told the cops that Travis Decker was homeless and was living in his car, motels, or camping nearby. According to the affidavit, she said that his dog and children “are the two big good things in his life.”
“He was very involved in all of their extracurricular activities, like dance classes, soccer games, and so on.” “He took part a lot,” Cozart said.
But there were worries. The police report says Whitney told them that her ex-husband was identified with borderline personality disorder near the end of their marriage, but she didn’t think he was taking his medicine.
Cozart says that in September 2024, a judge gave Whitney and Decker a parenting plan with limits because Decker had left the girls at a homeless shelter overnight and let them go to a corner store without watching them.
Court records say that Travis Decker had to go through a psychiatric assessment, mental health counseling, and a domestic violence evaluation as part of the new parenting plan. Almost every other weekend, he could see the kids.
Cozart said that Travis Decker had “shown some volatile behaviors that seemed concerning toward Whitney but never toward the girls.”
His ex-wife thinks the tragedy might not have happened if Travis Decker had better access to mental health care as a veteran, Cozart said, pointing out that it is known to be hard for veterans with problems like PTSD to get the help they need.
Central WA Veterans Counseling, a local organization that helps veterans, thinks that Travis Decker would have been sent somewhere else or put on a waiting list if he had asked for help. This is because they don’t have enough money or other resources to help veterans in the area properly.
The group said in a statement, “This isn’t a hidden crisis—we’ve been very clear about it with the media and with local, state, and federal officials.”
It’s not clear if Travis Decker was looking for help for the mental health problems that were listed in the police report. talked to the US Department of Veterans Affairs to find out more.
“Every mom’s worst nightmare come true”
In honor of Olivia, Evelyn, and Paityn, the flag at the Chelan County Courthouse is now flown at half-staff.
People in Wenatchee and across the country are greatly affected by the deaths of the three sisters. They were remembered as bright lights and joyous by their family, friends, and community.
“Every mother’s worst nightmare is coming true for Whitney.” There is a huge hole in her heart. There are no words to describe how terrible this loss is. A friend of Whitney’s, Amy Edwards, said in a statement made through Cozart, “Right now, she is surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors who are doing everything they can to hold her up.”
It was fun to see Olivia, Paityn, and Evelyn act and dance, and she said, “their laughter, curiosity, and spirit left a mark on all of us.”
“Everyone cheered for them, looked forward to seeing them, and held them close in their hearts.” Not only does their family love them, but so does the whole community that has seen them grow, act, learn, and love. We will always hurt because we love them so much.
Edwards set up a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $1.1 million as of Sunday to help Whitney deal with her grief.
The Music Theater of Wenatchee said in a statement, “We are heartbroken by the loss of three of our shining stars from the Short Shakespeareans family.”
“Their happiness, creativity, and spirit made our stage and hearts shine.” Even though they were only with us for a short time, they will always be a part of our story. May their light always shine through every act we give. They are always with us.
In the Wenatchee School District, the three girls went to Lincoln Elementary School.
Superintendent of schools Kory Kalahar said in a statement, “My heart and the hearts of the entire Wenatchee School District leadership remain with the Decker family, the Lincoln Elementary community, and all who knew and loved these precious girls.” “This tragedy could affect every school, classroom, and family in our district in some way.”
Whitney’s grief is deeper than anyone else’s in the community. She is a mother who has lost her girls and is determined that they will be remembered for the joy, laughter, and love they brought into the world.
Cozart said, “The girls were amazing little people.” “I know Whitney wants people to remember them that way.”
