More than $1 million has been raised for a grieving mother in Washington, following the tragic deaths of her three daughters, allegedly at the hands of their homeless veteran father.
Whitney Decker’s fundraiser has garnered over 22,500 donations after her daughters—Paten, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were found dead earlier this week. This information comes from the fundraiser’s GoFundMe page.
According to a statement by fundraiser organizer Amy Edwards, “On May 30th, the girls were reported missing after a scheduled visit with their father. We are heartbroken to share that the girls have passed since.” She added, “Their light touches so many things, and the pain of this loss is immeasurable.”
Edwards, who described her long-term friendship with Whitney as fellow dance and theater moms, reflected on their shared experiences.
Whitney recognized that her daughters were in “substantial danger” when their father, Travis Decker, failed to return them as required by court orders following a visit. “As soon as she didn’t bring those girls back at 8 a.m., she knew something was going on,” remarked Whitney’s lawyer, Ariana Cozart.
The situation escalated when Whitney’s mother contacted a local police officer. Although local police were in favor of issuing an Amber Alert, state patrol officials deemed it premature, claiming there was no immediate evidence suggesting the children were in danger.
Cozart noted Travis, who was part of the Washington National Guard, had struggled to access mental health services and was reportedly told he hadn’t asked for help.
The bodies of the three girls were tragically discovered with plastic bags over their heads and wrists zip-tied along the embankment of Rock Island Campground, approximately 18 miles from Leavenworth.
Initial investigations suggest that the girls likely died from asphyxiation.
In the days leading up to this horrific event, Travis was reportedly seen wandering in a disoriented state around Chelan County.
Authorities are actively searching for Travis, who is known to be an outdoorsman with survival skills. A reward of $20,000 is available for information leading to his capture.
The funds raised through Whitney’s GoFundMe page will assist with her expenses and legal fees.
