Three Sisters Likely Asphyxiated by Homeless Father in Washington State, Authorities Say

Olivia Decker, Paityn Decker and Evelyn Decker.

The three young sisters allegedly murdered by their homeless father in Washington state likely died from asphyxiation, according to preliminary findings revealed in court documents.

Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead Monday around 5 p.m. near their father’s white 2017 GMC Sierra truck, parked close to the Rock Island Campground in Wenatchee—approximately three hours east of Seattle. Authorities confirmed the girls’ deaths Tuesday morning, following the cancellation of AMBER alerts issued after their disappearance.

(From left) Olivia Decker, Paityn Decker and Evelyn Decker

Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. A warrant for his arrest had initially been issued on charges of first-degree custodial interference before being upgraded. Law enforcement agencies, including SWAT teams, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Forest Service, are actively searching for Decker, who is described as 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.

Decker picked up his daughters from their mother Whitney Decker’s home on Friday but failed to return them as scheduled. His phone went straight to voicemail, prompting Whitney to alert the Wenatchee Police Department. Surveillance later placed his truck near Leavenworth, triggering a search in the surrounding wooded areas.

Police are continuing to search for Travis Caleb Decker

Court documents indicate Decker—who is homeless and a military veteran with extensive training—had visited the campground a day before abducting the children. His vehicle was found with two bloody handprints, and the interior contained blankets, food, car seats, and a wallet. The nearby campsite showed signs of recent use, supporting the theory that the killings occurred there.

The girls’ mother had sole custody and shared a structured parenting plan with Decker that allowed supervised visits every other weekend. Whitney reported that Decker was unusually quiet when picking up the children—behavior she described as “out of character.” She also noted concerns about his mental health, stating in court documents that Decker had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and had not followed through with his court-mandated mental health treatment and anger management counseling. He was allegedly not taking his prescribed medication at the time.

The girls’ mother, Whitney Decker (center), had said she was “concerned about the safety and wellbeing of my girls and their dad.”

Whitney’s emotional plea for the girls’ return, made just hours before their bodies were discovered, described the ordeal as “unimaginable.” In her statement, she wrote, “I just want the girls back home safe and sound — that is the most important thing to me. I am pleading for everyone to look out for them.”

Travis Decker is considered dangerous, and authorities urge the public not to approach him. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should immediately contact 911.