On May 30, 2025, a devastating and deeply disturbing tragedy began to unfold in the quiet community of Wenatchee, Washington. That morning, three sisters — Paityn Decker, age 9; Evelyn Decker, age 8; and Olivia Decker, age 5 — left their mother’s home for what was supposed to be a routine custody visit with their father, Travis Decker. The visit was part of a court-approved parenting agreement designed to ensure both parents remained consistently involved in their daughters’ lives. The girls were expected to spend the day with their father and return home by evening, just as they had done many times before.
As the evening hours passed and there was still no sign of the girls, their mother, Whitney Decker, became increasingly worried. Calls to Travis went unanswered. Fear quickly turned to panic, and Whitney reported her daughters missing to local law enforcement authorities. That report triggered an immediate, large-scale search by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, which mobilized deputies, search-and-rescue teams, and volunteers from across the region.
Investigators quickly began piecing together the girls’ last known movements, interviewing neighbors, and checking nearby roads and parks. Word of the missing children spread fast throughout Wenatchee, prompting community members to hang flyers, organize search parties, and flood social media with pleas for information. For several days, hope remained alive that the sisters would be found safe. But in the early hours of June 2, that hope was shattered.
Authorities located a white 2017 GMC pickup truck registered to Travis Decker abandoned near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County — a rugged, forested area popular with campers but difficult to reach quickly. As deputies searched the area surrounding the vehicle, they made a horrifying discovery. Nearby lay the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker. The details that emerged from the scene were grim: each of the girls had been bound and had plastic bags placed over their heads. The medical examiner later confirmed that they had all died of suffocation. It was an act of deliberate and calculated violence that sent shockwaves through the entire community.
Following this discovery, investigators immediately began processing the scene for evidence and launched a full-scale homicide investigation. Within hours, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Travis Decker on three counts of first-degree murder, as well as charges of kidnapping and custodial interference. Law enforcement described Decker, 32, as a military veteran with advanced survival training — a detail that raised serious concern about his ability to evade capture in the wilderness areas surrounding Chelan County. Authorities warned that he was likely armed and extremely dangerous.
The U.S. Marshals Service joined the manhunt and offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest. Search teams from multiple counties, along with aerial surveillance units and K9 tracking teams, were deployed across vast stretches of forest, canyons, and mountain terrain. Despite their tireless efforts, Decker has remained elusive.
Forensic analysis quickly tied him directly to the crime. DNA testing conducted on the zip ties and plastic bags used in the killings revealed a match solely to Travis Decker. Additional physical evidence recovered from the truck — including personal belongings, tools, and digital data — further supported law enforcement’s conclusion that he was responsible for his daughters’ deaths. As of the latest reports, however, Decker remains at large, and it is unclear whether he is still alive or has taken his own life.
Court documents and past case records shed light on a family already struggling under significant strain. Travis Decker had previously faced housing instability and ongoing mental health challenges, including reports of erratic behavior and difficulty maintaining stable employment. Friends and neighbors described him as quiet but increasingly isolated in the months leading up to the tragedy. While these details provide some context, they do not lessen the horror or heartbreak of what happened.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has continued exhaustive search operations across vast wilderness zones, reaching out to local cabin owners, hikers, and nearby residents. Flyers with Decker’s photo have been distributed across Washington and neighboring states. Law enforcement agencies have urged anyone who sees him not to approach but to contact authorities immediately. His military background and extensive knowledge of outdoor survival tactics make him capable of enduring in remote environments for extended periods, which has complicated efforts to locate him.
The emotional impact of the crime has been profound. The deaths of the three young sisters have shaken not only their family but the entire Wenatchee community. Vigils and memorial services have been held in their honor, where friends, teachers, and neighbors have gathered to grieve and remember their bright smiles and kind hearts. Local schools have brought in counselors to support students and staff struggling to process the loss, while community organizations have coordinated donations and meals for the Decker family during this period of unimaginable pain.
Whitney Decker, the girls’ mother, has remained largely out of the public eye, requesting privacy as she mourns the loss of her daughters. Those close to her describe her as heartbroken but determined to see justice served. “They were my whole world,” she reportedly told a friend. “I just want people to find him.”
Meanwhile, authorities continue to urge anyone with even the smallest bit of information about Travis Decker’s whereabouts to come forward. Tips can be submitted to local law enforcement or directly to the U.S. Marshals Service. Officials stress that even seemingly insignificant details could prove critical in tracking Decker down and bringing closure to the case.
The tragedy has drawn national attention, both for its sheer brutality and for what it exposes about the complexities of family custody cases, mental health struggles, and the systems designed to protect children. Experts in family law and psychology have pointed to the case as a painful reminder of how difficult it can be to predict or prevent violent behavior in high-conflict custody situations.
As the investigation continues, officials have emphasized patience and vigilance. They have acknowledged the difficulty of searching such a large, rugged landscape for someone trained to survive under harsh conditions. But they remain resolute in their pursuit of justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia.
The story of the Decker sisters has become one of the most tragic child homicide cases in Washington’s history — a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences when systems fail to protect the most vulnerable. The community continues to mourn, united in grief but also in a shared resolve that the memory of these three young girls will not be forgotten.
What began as a routine custody visit has ended in an unthinkable act of violence, leaving behind a town forever changed, a mother without her children, and a nation searching for answers.