US father Travis Decker wanted on suspicion of murdering his three young daughters
A US man is wanted on suspicion of murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead.
Travis Decker, 32, is wanted for three counts of murder and kidnapping, according to police in Wenatchee — a city in central Washington state, about 100 miles or two and a half hours east of Seattle.
Police said it was unknown whether Decker, a former Army soldier with 'extensive training', was armed.
Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were not returned home to their mother by Decker on Friday following a planned visit.
She then reported them missing.
Over the weekend, authorities looked for the children and for Decker, who was believed to be living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup with Washington plates.
Decker's unoccupied truck was found on Monday near a campground west of the city of Leavenworth, which is about a half hour northwest of Wenatchee.
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards away from the truck, The Seattle Times reported.
Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said.
Anyone who may have seen Decker since Friday or knows his current location was asked to call 911.
'Due to safety concerns do not attempt to contact or approach Decker,' police said.
The Wenatchee School District said the girls were students of Lincoln Elementary and that counselling services were available.
The mother told police that Decker picked the girls up around 5pm but had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court documents said.
The detective said she 'expressed concern because Decker reportedly has never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues'.
'What prompted her to call us was that … he was late returning the girls and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical fashion and so this was out of the ordinary,' Captain Brian Chance said.
Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an Amber Alert, but it did not meet the required criteria, Wenatchee police said. The following day, Wenatchee detectives contacted the patrol with additional information that led to an Endangered Missing Person Alert being issued.
The lacking criteria was suspected abduction and imminent peril of death or serious injury, director of public affairs for the state patrol Chris Loftis said.
'In this case, it was a parent with custodial privileges, and the children had not been returned home on time,' he said.
'But that's a rather common occurrence and not something where you just automatically assume abduction.'
There was no indication Decker, a custodial parent who had the children for a visit, would harm them, Loftis said.
'We're people too, you know, so the loss of a child, the loss of two children, the loss of three children is … devastating,' he said.
'Everybody always looks to how we can improve.'
The alert systems are constantly evolving and this could prompt further change, Loftis said: 'Obviously it didn't work this time. Obviously, we have three children that are dead.'
Decker joined the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Washington Military Department spokesperson Karina Shagren said. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time.
Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge for him, Shagren said.
'This is an absolute tragedy,' Shagren said. 'We are mourning along with the community.'
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office, which found the truck, was leading the search in the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest area while other teams followed up on 'potential credible information and tips' regarding Decker's location, the agency said in a statement.
The agency was working with US Marshals to locate and apprehend Decker and the search continued Tuesday evening. A reward of up to $US20,000 ($A30,700) was available for information leading directly to his arrest.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- The Advertiser
Millions march in anti-Trump 'No-Kings' protests
Masses of demonstrators packed into streets, parks and plazas across the US to condemn President Donald Trump as authoritarian and dictator-like. Organisers of the "No Kings" demonstrations said millions had marched in hundreds of events. Governors across the US had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilised the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated. But police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted a week earlier and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. In Salt Lake City, Utah, police said they are investigating a shooting "possibly associated" with a march through downtown that left a person with life-threatening injuries. A person of interest was in custody, police said. The march of several thousand people has just passed the downtown federal building before people started running, and responding officers told people to immediately take shelter, KSTU reported. Huge, boisterous crowds marched, danced, drummed, and chanted shoulder-to-shoulder in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles. Atlanta's 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Trump was in Washington for a military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary that coincides with the president's birthday. About 200 protesters assembled in northwest Washington's Logan Circle and chanted "Trump must go now" before erupting in cheers. In Culpepper, Virginia, police said one person was struck by an SUV when a 21-year-old driver intentionally accelerated his SUV into the crowd as protesters were leaving a rally. The driver was charged with reckless driving. "Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the No Kings Coalition said in a statement Saturday afternoon after many events had ended. In Los Angeles, as protesters passed National Guard troops or US Marines stationed at various buildings, most interactions were friendly, with demonstrators giving fist bumps or posing for selfies. But others chanted "shame" or "go home" at the troops. A few blocks from City Hall, protesters gathered in front of the downtown federal detention centre being guarded by a line of Marines and other law enforcement. It was the first time that the Marines, in combat gear and holding rifles, have appeared at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. The demonstration turned confrontational as police on horseback moved into the crowd and struck some people with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement encouraged people not to attend rallies "out of an abundance of caution" following the shootings of two Democratic state lawmakers. Tens of thousands still turned out for demonstrations in Duluth, Rochester and St. Paul, which included a march to the state Capitol. Walz cancelled his scheduled appearance at the St. Paul event. Authorities said the suspect in the Minneapolis shootings had "No Kings" flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin went off as planned despite state police briefly shutting down the building and the surrounding grounds after authorities said they received a "credible threat" to Democratic state lawmakers who were to attend. Dozens of state troopers swarmed through the grounds about four hours before the event, but the area was later opened and the rally started on time. The building remained closed. The Department of Public Safety later said one person was taken into custody "after a traffic stop in La Grange, Texas, about 105 kilometres east of Austin. Masses of demonstrators packed into streets, parks and plazas across the US to condemn President Donald Trump as authoritarian and dictator-like. Organisers of the "No Kings" demonstrations said millions had marched in hundreds of events. Governors across the US had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilised the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated. But police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted a week earlier and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. In Salt Lake City, Utah, police said they are investigating a shooting "possibly associated" with a march through downtown that left a person with life-threatening injuries. A person of interest was in custody, police said. The march of several thousand people has just passed the downtown federal building before people started running, and responding officers told people to immediately take shelter, KSTU reported. Huge, boisterous crowds marched, danced, drummed, and chanted shoulder-to-shoulder in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles. Atlanta's 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Trump was in Washington for a military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary that coincides with the president's birthday. About 200 protesters assembled in northwest Washington's Logan Circle and chanted "Trump must go now" before erupting in cheers. In Culpepper, Virginia, police said one person was struck by an SUV when a 21-year-old driver intentionally accelerated his SUV into the crowd as protesters were leaving a rally. The driver was charged with reckless driving. "Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the No Kings Coalition said in a statement Saturday afternoon after many events had ended. In Los Angeles, as protesters passed National Guard troops or US Marines stationed at various buildings, most interactions were friendly, with demonstrators giving fist bumps or posing for selfies. But others chanted "shame" or "go home" at the troops. A few blocks from City Hall, protesters gathered in front of the downtown federal detention centre being guarded by a line of Marines and other law enforcement. It was the first time that the Marines, in combat gear and holding rifles, have appeared at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. The demonstration turned confrontational as police on horseback moved into the crowd and struck some people with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement encouraged people not to attend rallies "out of an abundance of caution" following the shootings of two Democratic state lawmakers. Tens of thousands still turned out for demonstrations in Duluth, Rochester and St. Paul, which included a march to the state Capitol. Walz cancelled his scheduled appearance at the St. Paul event. Authorities said the suspect in the Minneapolis shootings had "No Kings" flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin went off as planned despite state police briefly shutting down the building and the surrounding grounds after authorities said they received a "credible threat" to Democratic state lawmakers who were to attend. Dozens of state troopers swarmed through the grounds about four hours before the event, but the area was later opened and the rally started on time. The building remained closed. The Department of Public Safety later said one person was taken into custody "after a traffic stop in La Grange, Texas, about 105 kilometres east of Austin. Masses of demonstrators packed into streets, parks and plazas across the US to condemn President Donald Trump as authoritarian and dictator-like. Organisers of the "No Kings" demonstrations said millions had marched in hundreds of events. Governors across the US had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilised the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated. But police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted a week earlier and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. In Salt Lake City, Utah, police said they are investigating a shooting "possibly associated" with a march through downtown that left a person with life-threatening injuries. A person of interest was in custody, police said. The march of several thousand people has just passed the downtown federal building before people started running, and responding officers told people to immediately take shelter, KSTU reported. Huge, boisterous crowds marched, danced, drummed, and chanted shoulder-to-shoulder in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles. Atlanta's 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Trump was in Washington for a military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary that coincides with the president's birthday. About 200 protesters assembled in northwest Washington's Logan Circle and chanted "Trump must go now" before erupting in cheers. In Culpepper, Virginia, police said one person was struck by an SUV when a 21-year-old driver intentionally accelerated his SUV into the crowd as protesters were leaving a rally. The driver was charged with reckless driving. "Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the No Kings Coalition said in a statement Saturday afternoon after many events had ended. In Los Angeles, as protesters passed National Guard troops or US Marines stationed at various buildings, most interactions were friendly, with demonstrators giving fist bumps or posing for selfies. But others chanted "shame" or "go home" at the troops. A few blocks from City Hall, protesters gathered in front of the downtown federal detention centre being guarded by a line of Marines and other law enforcement. It was the first time that the Marines, in combat gear and holding rifles, have appeared at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. The demonstration turned confrontational as police on horseback moved into the crowd and struck some people with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement encouraged people not to attend rallies "out of an abundance of caution" following the shootings of two Democratic state lawmakers. Tens of thousands still turned out for demonstrations in Duluth, Rochester and St. Paul, which included a march to the state Capitol. Walz cancelled his scheduled appearance at the St. Paul event. Authorities said the suspect in the Minneapolis shootings had "No Kings" flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin went off as planned despite state police briefly shutting down the building and the surrounding grounds after authorities said they received a "credible threat" to Democratic state lawmakers who were to attend. Dozens of state troopers swarmed through the grounds about four hours before the event, but the area was later opened and the rally started on time. The building remained closed. The Department of Public Safety later said one person was taken into custody "after a traffic stop in La Grange, Texas, about 105 kilometres east of Austin. Masses of demonstrators packed into streets, parks and plazas across the US to condemn President Donald Trump as authoritarian and dictator-like. Organisers of the "No Kings" demonstrations said millions had marched in hundreds of events. Governors across the US had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilised the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated. But police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted a week earlier and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. In Salt Lake City, Utah, police said they are investigating a shooting "possibly associated" with a march through downtown that left a person with life-threatening injuries. A person of interest was in custody, police said. The march of several thousand people has just passed the downtown federal building before people started running, and responding officers told people to immediately take shelter, KSTU reported. Huge, boisterous crowds marched, danced, drummed, and chanted shoulder-to-shoulder in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles. Atlanta's 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Trump was in Washington for a military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary that coincides with the president's birthday. About 200 protesters assembled in northwest Washington's Logan Circle and chanted "Trump must go now" before erupting in cheers. In Culpepper, Virginia, police said one person was struck by an SUV when a 21-year-old driver intentionally accelerated his SUV into the crowd as protesters were leaving a rally. The driver was charged with reckless driving. "Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the No Kings Coalition said in a statement Saturday afternoon after many events had ended. In Los Angeles, as protesters passed National Guard troops or US Marines stationed at various buildings, most interactions were friendly, with demonstrators giving fist bumps or posing for selfies. But others chanted "shame" or "go home" at the troops. A few blocks from City Hall, protesters gathered in front of the downtown federal detention centre being guarded by a line of Marines and other law enforcement. It was the first time that the Marines, in combat gear and holding rifles, have appeared at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. The demonstration turned confrontational as police on horseback moved into the crowd and struck some people with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement encouraged people not to attend rallies "out of an abundance of caution" following the shootings of two Democratic state lawmakers. Tens of thousands still turned out for demonstrations in Duluth, Rochester and St. Paul, which included a march to the state Capitol. Walz cancelled his scheduled appearance at the St. Paul event. Authorities said the suspect in the Minneapolis shootings had "No Kings" flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin went off as planned despite state police briefly shutting down the building and the surrounding grounds after authorities said they received a "credible threat" to Democratic state lawmakers who were to attend. Dozens of state troopers swarmed through the grounds about four hours before the event, but the area was later opened and the rally started on time. The building remained closed. The Department of Public Safety later said one person was taken into custody "after a traffic stop in La Grange, Texas, about 105 kilometres east of Austin.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
Millions march in anti-Trump 'No-Kings' protests
Masses of demonstrators packed into streets, parks and plazas across the US to condemn President Donald Trump as authoritarian and dictator-like. Organisers of the "No Kings" demonstrations said millions had marched in hundreds of events. Governors across the US had urged calm and vowed no tolerance for violence, while some mobilised the National Guard ahead of marchers gathering. Confrontations were isolated. But police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted a week earlier and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. In Salt Lake City, Utah, police said they are investigating a shooting "possibly associated" with a march through downtown that left a person with life-threatening injuries. A person of interest was in custody, police said. The march of several thousand people has just passed the downtown federal building before people started running, and responding officers told people to immediately take shelter, KSTU reported. Huge, boisterous crowds marched, danced, drummed, and chanted shoulder-to-shoulder in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles. Atlanta's 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Trump was in Washington for a military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary that coincides with the president's birthday. About 200 protesters assembled in northwest Washington's Logan Circle and chanted "Trump must go now" before erupting in cheers. In Culpepper, Virginia, police said one person was struck by an SUV when a 21-year-old driver intentionally accelerated his SUV into the crowd as protesters were leaving a rally. The driver was charged with reckless driving. "Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the No Kings Coalition said in a statement Saturday afternoon after many events had ended. In Los Angeles, as protesters passed National Guard troops or US Marines stationed at various buildings, most interactions were friendly, with demonstrators giving fist bumps or posing for selfies. But others chanted "shame" or "go home" at the troops. A few blocks from City Hall, protesters gathered in front of the downtown federal detention centre being guarded by a line of Marines and other law enforcement. It was the first time that the Marines, in combat gear and holding rifles, have appeared at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. The demonstration turned confrontational as police on horseback moved into the crowd and struck some people with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement encouraged people not to attend rallies "out of an abundance of caution" following the shootings of two Democratic state lawmakers. Tens of thousands still turned out for demonstrations in Duluth, Rochester and St. Paul, which included a march to the state Capitol. Walz cancelled his scheduled appearance at the St. Paul event. Authorities said the suspect in the Minneapolis shootings had "No Kings" flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin went off as planned despite state police briefly shutting down the building and the surrounding grounds after authorities said they received a "credible threat" to Democratic state lawmakers who were to attend. Dozens of state troopers swarmed through the grounds about four hours before the event, but the area was later opened and the rally started on time. The building remained closed. The Department of Public Safety later said one person was taken into custody "after a traffic stop in La Grange, Texas, about 105 kilometres east of Austin.
Perth Now
13-06-2025
- Perth Now
‘One mistake': Cops close in on dad who ‘murdered' daughters
Police say they are closing in on a man wanted over the gruesome murders of his three young daughters. And, in a direct message to Travis Decker, who is on the run in Washington State forest, they told him he is just one mistake away from being caught. Mr Decker collected daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, for a custody visit but failed to return them at an agreed time on May 30. Three days later they were found dead at a campground with plastic bags on their heads and zip ties around their wrists. It is believed the girls died of asphyxiation. 'Every single day that Travis is out there he is going to have to aim for perfection, he is not going to be able to make a mistake because all we need is one mistake and one day to go in our favour, and he's going to be in our custody. So I hope he's watching and I hope he knows we haven't given up,' Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said. 'You have to be perfect every single day, Travis, we only have to be perfect one day.' Travis Decker has so far eluded police. Credit: Supplied A recent tip-off led search teams to a lone hiker who appeared to be avoiding others and was 'ill prepared for trail and weather conditions', an update from Chelan County Sheriff's office read. Tracking teams then spotted an off-trail hiker in the Colchuk Lake area who fled when a helicopter passed over the area. It's understood authorities have recovered possible evidence tied to the case. People who live or have cabins in the area have been urged to remain 'highly vigilant' and report any suspicious activity. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up to help Whitney Decker, the devastated mother of the three girls has so far raised an extraordinary US$1.2 million ($1.9m) from more than 27,000 donations. Paityn Decker, 9. Credit: GoFundMe / Supplied Evelyn Decker, 8. Credit: Wenatchee Police Department / Supplied Olivia Decker, 5. Credit: Wenatchee Police Department / Supplied In an update on the fundraiser's page, organiser Amy Edwards thanked people for their ongoing support as the family prepares for a memorial for the girls. 'To everyone who has donated, thank you for your generosity and compassion. Your support continues to lift Whitney and her family during an unimaginably difficult time. 'To the countless people who have sent messages of love and encouragement, your words are a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our grief. 'To those who have shared beautiful memories of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia in the Facebook group, your reflections have brought light and comfort to so many.' The memorial will be held on June 20 and attendees have been asked to wear 'what makes you feel beautiful'. Organisers have suggested wearing something with the colours purple, pink and green to honour the girls.
