Search Intensifies for Former Soldier Accused of Killing His Three Young Daughters in Washington State

SEATTLE — The search is growing larger and more urgent as authorities hunt for Travis Caleb Decker, a former Army infantryman accused in the tragic deaths of his three young daughters. Over 100 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies are scouring rugged terrain in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, and popular campgrounds along the Pacific Crest Trail have been closed as part of the manhunt.

The three girls — 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — were found dead at a remote campsite near Leavenworth, Washington, just four days after their mother reported them missing. The family tragedy has shaken the community and raised difficult questions about mental health, custody, and public safety.

The Disappearance and Tragic Discovery

The girls were reported missing on the night of May 30, after Travis Decker failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following a scheduled visit. Wenatchee lies about 100 miles east of Seattle.

Shortly afterward, authorities discovered the girls’ bodies near a campsite outside Leavenworth. According to an affidavit filed against Decker, the children had been bound with zip ties and showed signs of violence. Nearby, investigators found Decker’s pickup truck marked with bloody handprints.

Massive Search Effort Underway

The search now spans steep and remote areas, including the Pacific Crest Trail — a popular hiking route stretching from Canada to Mexico. Law enforcement officers from Chelan County and neighboring jurisdictions are coordinating to track Decker, who is considered armed and dangerous.

Officials have urged residents with cabins or remote homes in the area to secure their properties, keep blinds open for visibility, and leave exterior lights on. Public tips have flooded in, numbering over 500 as of Friday.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office emphasized cooperation with surrounding counties to prevent Decker from evading capture.

Who Is Travis Decker?

Travis Caleb Decker, 32, served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from 2013 until 2021. His military service included a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014 and time as an automatic rifleman with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment based in Washington state.

But behind this decorated military background, there have been signs of serious personal struggles. Last September, Decker’s ex-wife Whitney raised concerns in court about his mental health deteriorating. She described him as increasingly unstable and often homeless, living out of his truck.

In a petition to modify their parenting plan, Whitney expressed deep worry about the girls’ safety during overnight visits with their father, writing:
“I do not want to keep Travis from the girls at all… But I cannot have our girls staying in what is essentially a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with dozens of strange men, or staying in a tent or living in his truck with him both in extreme temperatures and unknown areas for their safety.”

Community Mourns and Calls for Change

The tragedy has deeply affected friends, neighbors, and the wider community. An online fundraiser for Whitney Decker has raised over $1 million, reflecting an outpouring of support.

Amy Edwards, a theater teacher who worked with the girls in a local program called “Short Shakespeareans,” spoke at a news conference:
“Their laughter, curiosity and spirit left a mark on all of us. They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked forward to seeing and held close in their hearts.”

Edwards and fellow supporter Mark Belton expressed hope that this heartbreaking event could spark improvements — specifically, calls for stronger mental health care for veterans and reforms to Washington’s Amber Alert system.

Amber Alert Controversy

On the night the girls were reported missing, Wenatchee police requested an Amber Alert, but the Washington State Patrol declined, citing custody complexities and the lack of an immediate threat.

Instead, authorities issued an “endangered missing person alert” the following day — a notification that doesn’t trigger mobile phone alerts and is less visible to the public.

The decision has drawn criticism from the community and advocates, who believe earlier and broader alerts might have helped find the girls sooner.

What’s Next?

The Chelan County Coroner’s Office is awaiting pathology results to determine exactly when and how the girls were killed.

Meanwhile, the search for Travis Decker continues across Washington’s challenging wilderness, with a $20,000 reward offered for information leading to his capture.

As the investigation unfolds, the community remains united in grief, support for the family, and a call to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Source: AP News – Search expands for former Army soldier accused of killing his 3 young daughters in Washington state