On May 30, 2025, a quiet Friday morning in Wenatchee, Washington turned into the beginning of an unimaginable tragedy. Sisters Paityn Decker (9), Evelyn Decker (8), and Olivia Decker (5) left their mother’s home for what was supposed to be a routine weekend custody visit with their father, Travis Decker, as outlined in a court-approved parenting plan. The girls were expected to return home by evening, but they never did. When night fell and there was still no sign of them, their mother, Whitney Decker, reported her daughters missing — sparking a desperate search that would soon draw statewide attention.
For three agonizing days, law enforcement agencies scoured roads, campgrounds, and rural stretches of Chelan County, searching for any trace of the missing children or their father. The case quickly gained traction across Washington, with local and national outlets — including CBS News, KING 5, and KULR 8 — covering the developing story.
On June 2, the search took a devastating turn. Authorities located Travis Decker’s white 2017 GMC pickup truck abandoned near Rock Island Campground, a rugged area surrounded by forested terrain and steep cliffs. Not far from the vehicle, investigators made the horrifying discovery — the bodies of all three Decker sisters. Each child had been bound and suffocated with plastic bags placed over their heads. The Chelan County Coroner ruled their deaths as homicides by suffocation.
An arrest warrant was immediately issued for Travis Decker, charging him with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of kidnapping, and custodial interference. Law enforcement described the 32-year-old as a former military veteran with survivalist training who was armed, dangerous, and capable of living off the grid. The U.S. Marshals Service announced a $20,000 reward for any information leading to his arrest, as authorities expanded their search into the rugged wilderness of central Washington.
Forensic teams collected crucial evidence at the crime scene, including zip ties and plastic bags used in the killings. According to official reports from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, DNA recovered from the materials matched Travis Decker exclusively, confirming his direct involvement. Despite intensive efforts involving ground teams, drones, and tracking dogs, Decker has not been located. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that he may have taken his own life in the remote terrain, though no body has been recovered.
Court records paint a troubling picture of the family’s past. Legal documents reveal that Decker had a history of unstable housing, erratic behavior, and mental health struggles. Whitney Decker had previously raised concerns about his temperament and reliability during custody exchanges, though court mediation ultimately upheld shared visitation.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, along with the U.S. Marshals, FBI, and local search-and-rescue teams, continues to conduct extensive searches in the surrounding wilderness. Officers have urged cabin owners, hikers, and residents in remote areas to stay alert and report any suspicious individuals or abandoned campsites.
Meanwhile, the Wenatchee community has been plunged into mourning. Vigils and memorials for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia have filled the city’s parks and churches with candles, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes. Local schools have offered counseling for classmates and teachers struggling to process the loss. Friends describe the three sisters as bright, loving children who “lit up every room they walked into.”
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Sheriff Dan Johnson in a press conference. “Our hearts are with the Decker family and everyone affected. We will not stop until Travis Decker is found.”
The Decker family has requested privacy as they grieve and prepare funeral arrangements. A community fundraiser has been established to assist with burial costs and ongoing legal support for the family.
Authorities urge anyone with information on Travis Decker’s whereabouts to contact the U.S. Marshals Service or their local law enforcement agency immediately. Even the smallest lead, officials say, could help bring closure to a community shattered by this heartbreaking loss.