WENATCHEE, Wash. — Authorities are seeking a 31-year-old man suspected of murdering his three young daughters, amid alarming evidence that he may have been planning to flee the country shortly before their tragic disappearance. Travis Decker, the children’s father, is wanted on multiple charges after the bodies of his daughters—9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia—were discovered near a campground on Monday.
Days before the incident, Decker reportedly conducted a series of online searches related to relocating to Canada. This included questions about moving, job opportunities, and even visiting a Canadian job-search website. These actions sparked concerns among law enforcement that he may have been preparing to escape across the border.
The case began last Friday when Whitney Decker reported that her husband had not returned after taking their daughters for a planned visit. Following the report, local police undertook a search for the missing girls and their father, who was believed to have been living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck.
On Monday, authorities located the pickup abandoned near the Rock Island Campground, approximately 20 miles from Wenatchee. Sadly, it was at this site that the bodies of the three girls were later found. Initial investigations suggest that the children may have died from asphyxiation, according to court documents.
As a veteran with military training, Decker is considered armed and dangerous, heightening the urgency for his apprehension. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service, is leading the efforts to find him. Officials urge anyone who may have witnessed Decker or has information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
A reward of up to $20,000 has been announced for information that leads to his arrest. Authorities emphasize the importance of not approaching Decker due to safety concerns.
The tragic loss of the three girls has left the Wenatchee community in shock, prompting an outpouring of grief and support for their family. As the investigation unfolds, further insights into the circumstances leading to this devastating outcome are anticipated.