New Details in the Case of Travis Decker, Wanted for Daughters’ Deaths
Authorities have shared more information about Travis Decker, a fugitive from Washington state accused of killing his three daughters. The girls—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—were discovered deceased on June 2 near their father’s abandoned pickup truck.
Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran, went missing on May 30 during a visit with the girls that was approved by the court. When he failed to return them to their mother, Whitney Decker, by the scheduled time, alarms were raised.
Whitney reported the girls missing around 9:30 p.m., triggering a frantic search that ended in tragedy when the sisters were found dead at the remote Rock Island Campground in Chelan County.
Travis Decker is facing first-degree murder and kidnapping charges, but he has not been located nearly three months into the search.
The circumstances surrounding the girls’ deaths are disturbing. Each girl was found with plastic bags over their heads; in some cases, they were restrained with zip ties. A medical examiner confirmed that the girls died from asphyxiation, and their deaths have been ruled homicides.
Investigators have stated that Decker remains the main suspect, citing DNA evidence linking him to the bags found with the girls. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office highlighted that this analysis strengthens the case against him.
Authorities have also revealed that DNA found on the tailgate of Decker’s truck matches what they believe is his. He is skilled in wilderness survival, raising concerns that he may have fled to Canada after searching for information about relocating there online.
Despite two reported sightings of Decker, both have been dismissed by officials. At this point, they have no evidence to confirm whether he is alive or deceased.
A reward of $20,000 has been put forth by the U.S. Marshals Service for helpful information leading to his capture.
