Sisters who vanished while visiting homeless dad found dead near Washington campground as cops hunt for father
The three young sisters who vanished while visiting their troubled and homeless father have been found dead, police confirmed Tuesday — as they continued hunting the dad for their kidnapping and murders.
The bodies of the Decker sisters — Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 — were found late Monday close to their father's truck near a campground in Wenatchee, where SWAT teams and even a Homeland Security helicopter had frantically searched the area, KIRO 7 reported.
The girls' AMBER alerts were canceled late Monday without explanation, before police confirmed the deaths Tuesday with 'sincere and deep heartfelt condolences to the family.'
The search continued for their 32-year-old dad, Travis Decker, who had collected them from their mother's house for a planned visitation on Friday — then went missing with them in his white 2017 GMC Sierra truck.
Decker is described as a military veteran with extensive training.
Hours before the bodies were found, a warrant was issued for Decker's arrest on three counts of first-degree custodial interference.
On Tuesday, the charges were updated to three counts each of kidnapping and first-degree murder, police confirmed to Fox13.
Decker, who is homeless and divorced from his children's mother, was known to stay at campgrounds and hotels in the local area with his dog, according to police.
After picking up the girls Friday, Decker and his truck were seen later that weekend in the west end of Leavenworth, triggering a police search in the wooded areas around the town, NCWLIFE reported.
The bodies were found on Rock Island Campground, about 18 miles west of the town of Leavenworth, at around 5 p.m. on Monday.
SWAT teams and federal agencies — including Homeland Security and the US Forest Service — then descended on the area and began the search for Decker.
The Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team came to process the scene and search Decker's truck on Monday.
Processing is expected to wrap up sometime today.
The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, had issued a heartbreaking appeal for their safe return Monday, hours before the bodies were found.
'I just want the girls back home safe and sound — that is the most important thing to me,' she said in the emailed statement sent to NCWLIFE.
'I am concerned about the safety and wellbeing of my girls and their dad. This is an unimaginable situation.' I am pleading for everyone to look out for them,' she said in the emailed statement sent to NCWLIFE.'
She said she had never had problems before when her ex had the kids — and didn't think his battles with mental health would make him 'dangerous.'
'Travis has really struggled since he left the military and his mental health can be hard sometimes,' she told Kiro7 before her daughters turned up dead. 'I think that he is impulsive and he loves his children very much.'
A heartbreaking letter has been sent out to parents, students and staff by the Wenatchee School District on Tuesday. All three girls attended Lincoln Elementary School.
Describing the 'incredibly difficult situation,' Superintendent Kory Kalahar said that counseling services were being provided on campus for all children and staff who need support.
'To allow our students, staff, and families the space and privacy they need to mourn and begin healing, we respectfully ask that you do not come to the school campus except for regular school business,' the letter, seen by Fox13, continued.
Authorities have issued a description of Decker and have asked the community to help find him.
He is described as 5-foot-8 tall, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
Although it is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, he may pose a significant threat if approached, authorities added.
Anyone who believes they may have seen Decker since Friday or knows his current whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.
Due to safety concerns, the public is urged not to attempt to contact or approach Decker.
Originally published as Sisters who vanished while visiting homeless dad found dead near Washington campground as cops hunt for father
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