What began as a routine custody visit in late May turned into one of the most heartbreaking tragedies Washington State has witnessed in years — the deaths of three young sisters and the disappearance of their father, now at the center of an intense nationwide manhunt.
On May 30, 2025, nine-year-old Paityn Decker, her eight-year-old sister Evelyn, and five-year-old Olivia left their home in Wenatchee, Washington, for a court-ordered visitation with their father, Travis Decker. He was supposed to bring them back to their mother, Whitney Decker, by 8 p.m. But the girls never returned.
By nightfall, Whitney’s calls went unanswered. Travis’s phone went straight to voicemail. As hours passed, worry turned to terror. When there was still no sign of them the next morning, Whitney reported them missing — setting off a search that would grip the nation and end in unimaginable sorrow.
A Timeline of Tragedy
May 30 — The Pickup
Travis Decker arrived at Whitney’s home around 5 p.m. to collect the girls. It appeared to be a typical exchange. Whitney later told investigators that Travis seemed calm but distant, “like something was weighing on him.” Despite concerns about his mental health, a court had granted him partial visitation. A veteran diagnosed with PTSD and borderline personality disorder, Travis had been ordered to attend counseling and anger-management sessions.
May 31 — The First Signs of Trouble
When Travis failed to bring the girls home, Whitney immediately contacted the police. At first, authorities thought it might be a misunderstanding, but that quickly changed. Travis’s phone was off, and his credit card activity stopped that evening. When the family didn’t show up for a planned 5K event the next morning, the case was classified as a missing persons investigation.
Although it didn’t qualify for an Amber Alert, an Endangered Missing Person Advisory was issued. Search teams from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office began scouring nearby areas, checking rest stops, gas stations, and campgrounds.
June 2 — The Devastating Discovery at Rock Island
Three days later, around 3 p.m., a hiker spotted a white 2017 GMC pickup abandoned near Rock Island Campground. Deputies arrived to find the vehicle unlocked, keys still inside, along with Travis’s wallet, phone, and a family photo.
A short distance away, searchers made a horrifying discovery — the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. The girls were found bound with zip ties, with plastic bags over their heads. Autopsies later confirmed that all three had died from suffocation.
Sheriff Brian Burnett described the scene as the most heartbreaking of his career. “These were innocent children,” he said. “We will not rest until their father is found.”
June 6 — The Autopsy and Aftermath
By June 6, medical examiners officially ruled the deaths as homicides. DNA evidence found at the scene, including blood on the truck’s tailgate, was confirmed to belong to Travis Decker. Animal blood — later identified as belonging to his dog — was also found in the vehicle. The dog was later rescued nearby and turned over to animal services.
Authorities determined that Travis had fled on foot into the dense wilderness surrounding the Columbia River Basin.
The Manhunt
Within days, a massive search was underway. Teams from the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Washington State Patrol, and National Guard joined local authorities. Drones, helicopters, and tracking dogs covered miles of rugged terrain.
Investigators described Travis as armed, dangerous, and highly skilled in survival tactics. A trained soldier, he had previously camped for weeks in the wilderness and could survive off-grid.
Officials believe he may be trying to cross into Canada, citing recent online searches such as “how to cross the Canadian border undetected” and “starting over in the Yukon.” A $20,000 reward was announced for information leading to his arrest.
Who Was Travis Decker?
At 32, Travis Decker was seen by some as intelligent and compassionate — a man undone by trauma. Raised in Wisconsin, he joined the military at 18 and served in Afghanistan in 2014. After returning home, he struggled with PTSD and depression.
His marriage to Whitney fell apart over time, leading to a difficult custody battle. Although courts required therapy and periodic evaluations, those close to the family never imagined violence.
“He loved those girls,” said a family friend. “He was proud of being a father. That’s why this doesn’t make sense — how love could twist into something like this.”
Still, there were warning signs. Police records revealed that Travis’s mental health had deteriorated. He was living out of his truck, unemployed, and increasingly unstable. “His mood swung between guilt and rage,” one officer said.
A Mother’s Unimaginable Grief
Whitney Decker, devastated and heartbroken, released only a short statement: “They were the light of my life. I just want justice — for Paityn, for Evelyn, for Olivia.”
Vigils were held across Wenatchee and Chelan County. Thousands gathered to honor the sisters, candles glowing beneath photos surrounded by stuffed animals and flowers. Schools held moments of silence, and grief counselors supported classmates and teachers.
The Search Continues
As the manhunt stretches into weeks, investigators continue to chase leads. There have been unconfirmed sightings near Lake Chelan, and thermal drone scans have picked up faint heat signatures believed to be makeshift campsites.
Experts say Travis’s training gives him an advantage, but not indefinitely. “He’s surviving on instinct,” said retired FBI profiler Janet Ellison. “That can’t last forever.”
The case has sparked debate about family court oversight, particularly in cases involving mental health and visitation rights. Lawmakers in Olympia are now reviewing custody policies to prevent future tragedies.
A Family Forever Changed
At the Decker home, neighbors have left teddy bears and letters on the porch. A hand-painted sign reads, “Three angels, forever loved.”
Whitney, surrounded by family, avoids cameras but continues cooperating with investigators. “She’s living hour to hour,” said her attorney. “Her world ended that weekend.”
The tragedy has sent shockwaves far beyond Washington — a sobering reminder of how quickly despair can spiral into destruction. Travis Decker’s descent into violence underscores how easily untreated pain can turn deadly.
Authorities continue urging anyone with information to come forward. “This man took three innocent lives,” Sheriff Burnett said. “We will not stop until he’s found.”
As the search stretches from Washington’s wilderness to the Canadian border, one truth remains unshakable: the lives of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker will never be forgotten.
Their story — and the justice still owed to them — has united an entire community in grief, remembrance, and determination to make sure no family ever endures this kind of heartbreak again.