Three young sisters who had gone missing after spending three hours with their father were tragically discovered dead in Washington state following an extensive search by authorities.
The bodies of Paityn, aged nine, Evelyn, aged eight, and Olivia Decker, aged five, were found on Monday evening, leading state police to end the Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) that had been issued for them.
Law enforcement officers had descended on Rock Island Campground, halting traffic in the area and redirecting drivers, shortly after locating their father’s truck at approximately 3:45 pm on Monday.
Their ‘mentally unstable’ father Travis Decker – who they were last seen with – is at large and police are looking for him.
The father-of-three has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Police said the veteran could ‘pose a significant risk if approached’ as he has extensive combat training. It is unclear if he is armed.
Decker, 32, does not have permanent housing and is known to stay at hotels and campgrounds, police said.
His ex-wife, the girls’ mother, had been particularly worried because he has ‘really struggled since he left the military.’
‘His mental health can be hard sometimes,’ she told KIRO 7.
Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, were found dead on Monday after police swarmed around Rock Island Campground
Their father, Travis Decker – who they were last seen with – is at large as police continue their hunt
Authorities found Decker’s truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground off Icicle Road. While searching the area, the girls’ bodies were found, but Decker was nowhere to be seen.
The Wenatchee Police Department offered their ‘sincere and deep heartfelt condolences,’ to the family.
Authorities found Decker’s truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls’ bodies were found, but Decker was nowhere to be seen.
A SWAT team was called to the campground around 5pm yesterday and the area was shut down between 7pm and 9pm.
Travis Decker is described as 5’8″ and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes.
The girls were last seen alive at their mother’s house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit.
The visitation was part of their parenting plan, but an alarm was raised after Decker didn’t return with the girls on Friday.
The girls’ mother, Whitney, reported the girls missing at 9:45pm on Friday and police began working to determine where the father and the children were.
Authorities found Decker’s truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls’ bodies were found
The girls were last seen alive at their mother’s house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit. His ex-wife had been particularly worried because he has ‘really struggled since he left the military.’ ‘His mental health can be hard sometimes,’ she said
The girls’ mother, Whitney, reported the girls missing at 9:45pm on Friday and police began working to determine where the father and the children were
Law enforcement is asking the public for help to find the father-of-three, but advised locals not to approach him
Decker in an undated mugshot
His GMC truck was last spotted on Highway 2 on Friday.
The Washington State Patrol was contacted about issuing an AMBER Alert, but none was given as it did not meet criteria, Wenatchee Police Department said.
The Endangered and Missing Persons Alert (EMPA) was issued on Saturday after ‘additional information’ was provided, the police department said.
Law enforcement is asking the public for help in finding Decker, but advised locals not to approach him.
A GoFundMe was started for the mother-of-three, raising $30,000 in less than a day.
‘These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces,’ the fundraiser read.
‘Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them.’
