In Washington state, authorities are searching for Travis Decker, a 32-year-old man wanted on murder and kidnapping charges after his three young daughters were tragically found dead. The girls were reported missing and later discovered deceased, prompting a plea from the police in Wenatchee, a city roughly 100 miles east of Seattle, for the public’s assistance in locating Decker.
Decker, a former Army soldier with extensive training, may pose a danger, though it is unclear whether he is currently armed. Friday evening, the children’s mother reported that Decker, who had taken the girls aged 9, 8, and 5, on a planned visit, failed to return them. The search for Decker and the children began over the weekend when it was established that he might be traveling in a white 2017 GMC Sierra truck with Washington license plates.
The investigation took a grim turn on Monday when police found the unoccupied vehicle near a campsite not far from Leavenworth, about 20 miles northwest of Wenatchee. An affidavit from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office stated that the girls’ bodies were discovered roughly 75 to 100 yards from the truck. Authorities believe the cause of death was asphyxiation, with court documents revealing that their wrists had been secured with zip ties.
The public is being asked to call 911 if they have any information on Decker’s whereabouts since Friday, but they are advised against approaching him due to safety concerns. Lincoln Elementary School, where the girls attended, is offering counseling services to support the grieving community.
Court documents reveal that the mother became worried when Decker did not return the girls by 8 p.m. and his phone went immediately to voicemail. This was out of character for Decker, who had always communicated if he was running late. Concerns were raised due to his recent mental health struggles.
The Washington State Patrol was contacted on Friday evening to issue an Amber Alert, but the case did not meet the necessary criteria. A follow-up the next day provided additional information, leading to an Endangered Missing Person Alert instead. Chris Loftis of the Washington State Patrol emphasized that cases involving custodial parents are complex, and in this instance, there were no immediate signs of abduction or imminent threat.
As the situation unfolded, Loftis acknowledged the tragedy, expressing sorrow over the loss of the three young lives and highlighting the need for ongoing improvement in alert systems. “We’re continually learning and adapting,” he remarked, pointing out that the existing systems failed in this circumstance.
Travis Decker has an extensive military background. He enlisted in the Army in 2013 and later joined the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member until a shift to a part-time role in 2023 or 2024. However, Decker recently stopped participating in his mandatory drills, prompting the Guard to initiate disciplinary discharge proceedings.
“This is an unspeakable loss,” said Karina Shagren from the Washington Military Department. “Our hearts go out to the community in mourning.”
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is leading the search for Decker in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, coordinating with U.S. Marshals and other agencies as they pursue “credible leads.” As the search intensifies, a $20,000 reward is offered for anyone who provides information directly resulting in Decker’s capture. The hunt for him continued vigorously into Tuesday evening.