Who is Travis Decker? Police search for father suspected of killing his 3 daughters
Who is Travis Decker? Police search for father suspected of killing his 3 daughters
Authorities in Washington state continue to search for Travis Decker, a father suspected killing of his three daughters, who were found dead on June 2.
Decker, 32, is wanted on charges including three counts of first-degree murder in connection to the deaths of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, according to the Wenatchee Police Department.
The sisters' mother reported the children missing May 30, police said, after the siblings left their central Washington home for a planned visit for their father. Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle.
Washington State Patrol issued statewide alert for the girls on May 31 and, following a search, a Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputy found their father's white 2017 GMC Sierra truck near Rock Island Campground, about 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee.
Police said no one was inside, but they found the girls bodies during a search near the truck. Their father was nowhere to be found and police confirmed to USA TODAY that Decker remained at large, as of Wednesday morning, June 4.
Here's what to know about the case and Travis Decker.
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Who is Travis Decker?
Travis Decker is a 32-year-old from the Wenatchee area who was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time the girls vanished, according to police.
Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached."
Police could not say whether he was armed while on the run.
He is a native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from Pewaukee High School in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, according to an online records search by USA TODAY.
One of Decker's previous addresses included an Army P.O. box. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Army for comment.
He was a member of a standout 2010 Pewaukee wrestling team, wrestling in the state finals that year, according to the Milwaukee News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The suspect's brother, TJ Decker, said his brother graduated from the school in 2010, Fox 6 reported.
Travis Decker description
Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'', and weighing 190 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
What happened to the three sisters?
State officials issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the sisters on May 31.
Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said.
The next day, Wenatchee police detectives recontacted state patrol with additional information and the EMPA was issued, police reported.
"Officers immediately began working to determine the whereabouts of the children and their father," police wrote in a news release issued June 3. Based on information provided to patrol officers, all Wenatchee motels were searched "with no results," police wrote. Police also tracked Decker's truck and learned the vehicle had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30.
The search for the three girls continued until June 2, when a a Chelan County Forest Service deputy found the truck unoccupied about 3:45 p.m. near the Rock Island Campground.
Officers searched the area immediately surrounding the vehicle and found the bodies of the three missing girls, police said, adding that their father was nowhere to be found.
Investigators traced Travis Decker's cell phone, which revealed he had visited the same campground a day prior to the girls' kidnapping, multiple outlets including the Spokesman-Review and Fox 13 reported.
Reports identify Decker sisters' likely cause of death
The three girls likely died of asphyxiation, Washington media outlets including Fox 13 and Seattle Times reported, citing court documents.
Travis Decker had exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths, local media reported, citing court filings.
Who is Whitney Decker?
Whitney Decker is the mother of Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia and Travis Decker's ex-wife, according to online court records obtained by USA TODAY.
The pair has been divorced for several years.
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What is Travis Decker wanted for?
Travis Decker is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree kidnapping and three counts of first-degree custodial interference, according to police.
Authorities are asking for the community's assistance in locating him. As of June 4, a reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information leading to his arrest, according to the sheriff's office.
Wenatchee Police Captain Brian Chance, in a phone interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said the suspect has not been formally charged with murder or kidnapping. But according to online court filings, a court-issued warrant indicates there is probable cause on the charges for his arrest.
In addition to local and state law enforcement, U.S. Marshals are assisting in the search lead by the sheriff's office.
Police said he should not be approached.
Anyone who sees the suspect or with informatoin about his whereabouts is asked to call 911.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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