• Manhunt tightens for dad Travis Decker, the prime suspect in the suffocation deaths of his three young daughters, found dead on June 2 in Chelan County, Washington.
• Authorities believe they are closing in on Decker’s location after recent sightings and discoveries near Blewett Pass and Ingalls Creek Trailhead.
• Public outrage grows as the manhunt continues, with over $1.2 million raised to support the girls’ grieving mother, Whitney Decker.

The mountains of Washington are no longer a place to hide. Law enforcement is closing in on Travis Decker—the 39-year-old father accused of murdering his three young daughters—after nearly two weeks on the run. What began as a heartbreaking tragedy has now gripped the nation in a tense, emotional manhunt.

The Tragedy That Shocked a Community

The nightmare began on Friday, May 30. That was the last time anyone saw 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia alive. They had left with their father, Travis Decker, for a weekend visitation. But when the girls didn’t return and no one heard from Decker, alarm bells rang.

Then came the devastating discovery.

On Monday, June 2, police located Decker’s car abandoned near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington. Inside the vehicle and nearby, the lifeless bodies of the three girls were found. It was just before 4 p.m. when officers confirmed what no one wanted to believe: all three children were dead.

An autopsy later confirmed the chilling cause—suffocation. The manner of death was ruled homicide.

“We Are Closing In”

Nine days have passed since the bodies were discovered. And while the pain remains raw, Sheriff Mike Morrison of Chelan County says there’s movement in the manhunt.

“We believe we are closing in on his trail,” Morrison told reporters during a press conference on June 11. His words carried both determination and urgency. “There is nowhere that he’s going to be able to go that we don’t have units waiting for him.”

The sheriff revealed that search teams had located items linked to Decker near Blewett Pass, just off Highway 97. The discovery came after a tip from hikers who had spotted a suspicious man wandering the trails, seemingly unprepared for the rugged terrain. A helicopter later caught sight of a lone figure near Colchuck Lake—who quickly bolted into the woods when he saw the aircraft.

That sighting set off a chain of activity. Search dogs were brought in. More boots hit the ground. Officers believe Decker fled deeper into the forest and may now be near Ingalls Creek Trailhead.

“He is surrounded,” Morrison said firmly. “Washington state knows who he is. He’s got a lot of ground to cover, and eventually, he’s going to make a mistake.”

A Manhunt in the Mountains

What makes this search so challenging, according to Morrison, is the terrain itself. The area is popular with hikers and tourists but it’s also full of steep trails, hidden ravines, and thick forest. It’s easy to get lost—or to hide.

Still, Morrison sees that as a double-edged sword. “We are a tourist destination, so we have a lot of people out there,” he said. “We need those extra eyes. If you see someone who doesn’t belong, say something.”

The sheriff also emphasized that Decker is running out of time and energy. “Every day he’s out there, he has to be perfect,” Morrison said. “We only need him to make one mistake.”

Shifting Strategies

As the search enters a new phase, law enforcement is adjusting its approach. Fewer visible units are now in the field, but officials insist that’s not a sign of slowing down.

“You will see a change in our tactics,” Morrison explained. “You may not see the number of resources we had before, but we are using different tools and strategies now.”

Behind the scenes, investigators are keeping pressure on Decker’s inner circle. Friends and family have been questioned, and any possible connections that could lead to a safe house or support system are being examined closely.

The goal is to cut him off from any help—completely.

Legal Charges and Public Outcry

Back at home, the legal case is already taking shape. Travis Decker faces three counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree kidnapping, and custodial interference.

To many, even the charges can’t capture the true horror of what happened. The public reaction has been one of heartbreak and fury. Online, comments have ranged from sorrow to disbelief to outrage. How could a father do something so unthinkable?

The girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, has been at the center of the storm. Friends say she is shattered but holding on for the sake of justice. A GoFundMe page set up in her name has now raised over $1.2 million to help cover legal expenses, therapy, and long-term support as she faces life without her daughters.

“She adored those girls,” a family friend shared. “They were her world.”

One Final Stand

Now, all eyes are on the forested slopes of central Washington. Somewhere in those trees, a man is hiding—alone, hunted, and, according to police, close to being caught.

“This will end one way or another,” Morrison said, leaving no doubt about law enforcement’s resolve. “He doesn’t get to disappear.”

Until then, a community waits, prays, and mourns.

The memory of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia hangs heavy in the air. Bright, innocent lives stolen too soon. But justice, it seems, is on their trail.