Travis Caleb Decker’s name is now etched in infamy—a man once known as a father, a husband, and a military veteran has become the prime suspect in the unthinkable murders of his three young daughters. The girls—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5—were supposed to return home after a routine visit with their dad on May 30, 2025.
Instead, their bodies were found days later near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, their wrists zip-tied and plastic bags over their heads. The details are horrifying, but the backstory is just as chilling.
A Father’s Descent and a Mother’s Worst Nightmare
Travis and his ex-wife Whitney Decker’s marriage wasn’t always a battleground. They divorced in 2023, and initially, things were civil. Travis had visitation rights, and Whitney didn’t raise concerns about abuse or neglect—at least not at first. But over time, cracks appeared. Travis, once a structured military man, spiraled into instability. He became homeless, bouncing between motels, campgrounds, and even an armory where his daughters were once found sleeping on mattresses.
Heartbreaking developments regarding 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia.
The three missing sisters were found deceased at a campground west of Leavenworth, Washington.
Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, is wanted on charges of murder. pic.twitter.com/vebGqHafdf
— True crime – Seeking justice (@downtothewoods) June 3, 2025
Whitney’s court filings paint a grim picture: Travis was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, stopped taking medication, and grew increasingly erratic. She begged the court to intervene, citing his mental decline and the girls’ emotional distress. By September 2024, his visitation was reduced to day trips only—no overnights. But the system’s safeguards weren’t enough.
You Might Like: How Many Kids Does Duke Dennis Have? The Mystery of His Children Explained
Whitney’s fears came to life on that Friday evening. Travis picked up the girls, quieter than usual, and vanished. By 8 p.m., when he hadn’t returned them, Whitney knew something was wrong. She called police, but an AMBER Alert wasn’t issued—Travis had legal custody for the visit, and authorities didn’t suspect immediate danger. It was a fatal miscalculation. Days later, his abandoned truck was found near Icicle Road, bloodstained handprints on the tailgate. The girls’ bodies were discovered nearby, their deaths ruled asphyxiation. Travis was gone, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
The Aftermath: A Community in Mourning and a Manhunt Underway
Whitney Decker’s world has collapsed. The mother who once pleaded for Travis to “get better for our girls” is now burying them. Her Facebook post from the night they disappeared—begging for their safe return—reads like a cruel twist of fate. Meanwhile, Travis, a former Army soldier with “extensive training,” is still at large, armed with survival skills and possibly a weapon. Authorities warn he’s dangerous, urging the public not to approach him. A $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest, but as of now, he’s vanished into Washington’s rugged terrain.
Sharing the GoFundMe for the mother of the three precious little girls murdered by the one man in their life who should have protected them, their own father. An absolute demon. I pray they find him soon.https://t.co/MmAG1VKg8K
— littlest.mrs (@littlestmrs) June 4, 2025
The case has sparked outrage and heartbreak. Why wasn’t more done when Whitney raised red flags? Why did an Endangered Missing Person Alert take so long? The Washington State Patrol admits the system failed, acknowledging that three children are dead because warning signs were overlooked. Meanwhile, Lincoln Elementary, where the girls were students, has become a makeshift memorial—flowers, stuffed animals, and tearful tributes piling up outside. A GoFundMe for Whitney has surged past $300,000, a small comfort in an unfathomable tragedy.
Also See: Tom Thibodeau’s $12M Net Worth and $11M Salary (2025 Update)
Travis Decker’s story is one of unraveling—a man who loved his daughters but couldn’t escape his own demons. Whether he’s found alive or dead, the scars he’s left won’t heal. For Whitney, the nightmare is just beginning. For the rest of us, it’s a grim reminder of how quickly love can turn to horror, and how systems meant to protect can sometimes fall tragically short.
