The recent deaths of three young sisters in Washington, allegedly at the hands of their father, are believed to be due to asphyxiation, as indicated by a preliminary report submitted to Chelan County Superior Court.
The sisters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were discovered near their father’s white 2017 GMC Sierra truck close to the Rock Island Campground in Wenatchee on Monday afternoon.
An amber alert for the girls was terminated late Monday night, just before police confirmed their deaths the following morning.
Authorities are actively searching for Travis Decker, the girls’ father and the suspect in their deaths.
After Decker, 32, picked up the girls from his home on Friday, his mother, Whitney Decker, reported that he didn’t answer her calls when he failed to return them as scheduled, prompting her to alert the Wenatchee Police.
His truck was recorded in Leavenworth over the weekend, leading to searches in the area. A warrant for his arrest was issued for three counts of first-degree custody interference shortly before the bodies were found, later expanded to include murder charges.
Decker, a military veteran who is currently homeless, had been separated from the girls’ mother for some time. He often stayed at local campsites and hotels with his dog.
Cellphone records revealed that he had gone to the campsite before taking his daughters. Police discovered his truck with items like bloody towels, blankets, food, and car seats inside.
When police found the campground, it appeared to have been used recently, according to reports.
After the tragic discovery, SWAT teams and federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the U.S. Forest Service, joined the manhunt for Decker.
He is described as having dark hair and brown eyes, weighing around 190 pounds and standing about 5 feet tall. He was last seen wearing a bright shirt and dark shorts.
It’s unclear if Decker is armed, but law enforcement has indicated he could pose a danger if approached. Anyone who might have seen him since Friday is urged to call 911, and they are advised against approaching him directly.
Just hours before the girls’ bodies were found, their mother had expressed her desperate wish for their safe return, saying, “I just want the girls back home and be safe and healthy.” She spoke to the immense worry she felt about both her daughters and their father, highlighting the unimaginable nature of the situation.
Whitney had custody of the girls and had set up a parenting plan with her ex-husband after their divorce. Decker had designated times on weekends to see his daughters, but on that Friday, he was noted to be unusually quiet.
Decker had also mentioned the possibility of abandoning his dog amid struggles related to housing and finances. Whitney has alleged that he suffers from borderline personality disorder and suspected he was not taking his prescribed medication.
