Travis Decker, who is on the run, is suspected of committing a triple murder involving his three daughters. In a chilling audio recording, he insists he never put them in “unsafe” situations.
The 32-year-old can be heard discussing his legal battle for custody during a September 2024 hearing. He claims that he always prioritized their safety, recalling times spent camping in national forests.
“We were in a campground, and I never did anything unsafe,” he states in the recording.
Investigators found the remains of Olivia (5), Evelyn (8), and Paityn, with plastic bags on their heads and zip ties around their wrists at a remote campsite in Washington, near his abandoned vehicle.
Decker faces three counts of first-degree murder and remains at large despite a widespread manhunt.
The audio was captured during a custody hearing after a judge awarded nearly full custody to the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker.
Concerns about Decker’s mental health and unstable living conditions were raised by his ex-wife, resulting in reduced visitation days.
At the time, he was homeless and shifting between an RV and Army housing.
“I know my situation isn’t ideal, but my kids were safe with me,” he said in the clip, highlighting their weekend camping outings.
He argued he never exposed his daughters to any dangers, despite challenging circumstances. He mentioned difficulties finding campsites due to high demand this year.
“When I was in the National Guard, I made $86,000 a year, but now it’s around $38,000,” he noted, hinting at financial strain.
The judge warned him that his living environment lacked stability, which is a significant concern for the court.
The girls lived with their mother in Wenatchee, and the community has been deeply affected by the tragic events.
“It’s hard to process. It’s something that goes beyond nightmares. We need to support one another,” stated Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poilier.
