Authorities in Washington State have closed a significant portion of the Pacific Crest Trail and nearby campgrounds as the search intensifies for Travis Caleb Decker, a former Army soldier sought in connection with the tragic deaths of his three young daughters. Travis, aged 32, is currently the focus of a massive manhunt, four days after the bodies of his daughters—9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia—were discovered at a remote campsite near Leavenworth.
The children’s mother reported them missing on May 30 when Decker failed to return them to her Wenatchee home, located approximately 100 miles east of Seattle, following a scheduled visit. In response to this tragic event, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has activated the state’s National Guard to assist in the search efforts, offering helicopter support to access challenging terrains.
“This heinous crime against innocent children has deeply shaken our community,” Ferguson expressed in a social media statement. “We are committed to aiding law enforcement in their pursuit of justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia.”
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office reports that over 100 officers from various law enforcement agencies are involved in the search throughout the Cascade Mountains’ rugged landscape in central Washington. More than 500 tips have been received from the public. “Given the potential mobility of Mr. Decker, we are closely coordinating with surrounding counties,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
Decker, who served as an infantryman in the Army from 2013 to 2021 and was briefly deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, has increasingly exhibited mental health challenges, according to court documents filed by his ex-wife, Whitney Decker. She detailed concerns about his mental state and homeless living conditions, which prompted her to seek restrictions on overnight visits.
Whitney expressed, “Though Travis has served our nation honorably and loves his daughters immensely, his current situation is dangerous. Until he secures stable housing, I must prioritize our daughters’ safety.”
Residents are advised to remain vigilant and secure their properties. Although it’s unclear if Decker is armed, authorities consider him highly dangerous, offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
The shocking incident has spurred overwhelming community support, with an online fundraiser for Whitney Decker exceeding $1 million. Amy Edwards, who taught the girls in the Short Shakespeareans theater program, and Mark Belton, expressed gratitude at a recent news conference: “Their vibrant energy touched us all.”
There are calls for reforms to the state’s Amber Alert system, inspired by the hope that increased attention will bring positive change. On the night the girls went missing, the request for an Amber Alert was denied due to technicalities, but an “endangered missing person alert” was issued the following day—devoid of broader phone alert notifications.
As the search for Decker expands, authorities discovered his truck near Rock Island Campground with disturbing evidence, including bloody handprints and the girls’ bodies found nearby. The investigation continues as pathology results are awaited to determine the cause and time of the deaths.
Due to the ongoing investigation, officials have prohibited access to the campground and a vast area northward, extending closures to trails and sites along the Pacific Crest Trail and around Stehekin at Lake Chelan’s north end.