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Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Cops release new images of man wanted for 'murdering his daughters'
Washington State police released new images of the man accused of murdering his three daughters as the search for the former soldier continues. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted for the alleged murder of his children Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five. Authorities started searching for his daughters after they failed to return home from a scheduled visit with him on May 30. On Monday, the children's bodies were found at a campsite in Leavenworth, around 20 miles from their home. Their wrists had been bound with zip ties and each of them had been suffocated with a plastic bag. A manhunt is underway for Decker and the Chelan County Sheriff's Office released new images of the dad on Saturday. An updated wanted poster showed Decker wearing a tan shirt with the number 59 on the sleeve, dark shorts, and flip flops. His hair was tied back and he carried pizza boxes. The poster also included close up photos of Decker's tattoos on his arms and ankle, and stated that Decker was 'last seen wearing tan or green t-shirt, dark shorts'. 'Updated photos of murder suspect Travis Decker, who is considered dangerous and may be armed. Do not approach, call 911 immediately,' the poster stated. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office announced they would be removing road blocks and reopening roads after hundreds of law enforcement personnel search dozes of structures and the forest. 'However, we ask the public to remain vigilant at they venture back out to the recreation areas of Chelan County,' the sheriff's office said. 'We ask that the public help continue to help us in this search. Please review your doorbell cameras and security cameras for signs of Mr Decker. 'If you are out in the woods, or recreation areas, and come across something you believe would be beneficial for law enforcement, note the time and location and mark the location on your electronic devices if possible.' After finding the girls, investigators 'obtained and served multiple search warrants for records contained in Decker's Google accounts,' leading them to discover that he ppeared to be planning how to relocate to Canada, according to an affidavit reviewed by the Independent. In the affidavit, Deputy U.S. Marshal Keegan Stanley wrote that Decker made several searches on May 26, including: 'how does a person move to Canada,' 'how to relocate to Canada' and 'jobs Canada'. The father, who remains on the run, then visited the website 'Find a job - Stanley detailed. His daughters' remains were also found 'relatively close to the Canadian border and approximately 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, a well-established trail that leads directly to Canada,' per the affidavit. Decker, who is wanted on three counts each of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, also 'has training in navigation, woodland/mountainous terrain, long distance movements, survival and numerous other disciplines needed to be able to flee,' the affidavit continued. 'Prior to the above alleged crimes, Decker frequently recreated in outdoor, woodland and mountainous areas throughout the Eastern District of Washington and surrounding states,' it read. 'Amongst other outdoorsman activities, Decker frequently engaged in hiking, camping, survival skill practice, hunting and even lived off the grid in the backwoods for approximately 2.5 months on one occasion.' He is considered very dangerous given his extensive military training and propensity for violence.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Father Accused of Murdering His 3 Daughters Allegedly Made These Chilling Online Searches Days Before They Went Missing
Travis Decker, the man accused of murdering his three young daughters, searched online about how to move to Canada on May 26, days before the girls went missing, according to authorities Decker searched the keywords "how to relocate to Canada" and "how does a person move to Canada" His three young daughters went missing on May 30 after a "planned visitation" and were found dead on June 2Travis Decker, the man accused of murdering his three young daughters, reportedly conducted online searches about how to move to Canada days before the killings. According to a U.S. Marshals Service affidavit obtained by Fox 13 Seattle, the Independent and NBC Right Now, Decker searched "how to relocate to Canada" and "how does a person move to Canada" on May 26. He also allegedly searched a Canadian job site. Authorities, who have not yet located Decker, said they were worried that he was attempting to flee the U.S. into Canada. "The location of the victims' remains is relatively close to the Canadian border and approximately 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, a well-established trail that leads directly to Canada," the affidavit states, per Fox 13 Seattle. The U.S. Marshals Service did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, June 7. The manhunt continues for Decker, who has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping in the deaths of his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5. Police have described him as posing "a significant risk, if approached" due to his prior military experience. "We are searching anywhere and everywhere for him," Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The three girls were last seen on May 30 during a "planned visitation" with their father. The following day, the Wenatchee Police Department issued an endangered missing persons alert, and said that the young girls were "believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own." Police said the girls headed out with their dad at around 5 p.m. local time on May 30 and hadn't been heard from or seen since then. On June 2, authorities canceled the alert and revealed that they had found the bodies of the three children. Decker's pickup truck was found near the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Wash., where the three sisters' bodies were discovered, Fox 13 Seattle reported. The cause of death for all three sisters is likely to be "asphyxiation," according to a preliminary report seen by Fox 13 Seattle. According to the outlet, investigators found two bloody handprints on Decker's truck, while inside there were items including a blanket, food and car seats for the girls. Police also found a wallet on the center console of the vehicle. Court documents obtained by the outlet also state that Decker's cell phone activity showed "he drove to and left the same campground a day prior to the kidnapping.' According to ABC News, police are offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Decker's arrest. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
One week later: Manhunt for accused triple-murderer Travis Decker continues; a community grieves
One week after Travis Decker disappeared with his three young daughters, officials are continuing to search for the man accused of their murders. On Friday, May 30, just before 10 p.m., the Wenatchee Police Department took a call from a woman who had reported that the father of her three young girls had not returned following a planned custody visit. A missing endangered person alert was issued for the three girls, 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia, and their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker. Then, on Monday, June 2, law enforcement found Decker's truck unoccupied near the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth. While searching the area, law enforcement found the bodies of the three young girls. >>Father of murdered Wenatchee girls still missing, $20K reward offered for information As the search ramps up, officials have warned residents in rural King, Snohomish, Kittitas, Chelan, and Okanagan counties to lock the doors in their cabins and outbuildings. They also recommend leaving window blinds open and outside lights on. >>Deputies ask residents in remote areas to lock doors, sheds as hunt for Travis Decker continues On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service ordered an emergency closure of the Icicle River area in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The closure, effective June 5 through June 18 unless lifted earlier, prohibits access to several popular trails, roads, and campgrounds within the Wenatchee River Ranger District. The order was issued under federal regulations governing national forest use, and violators could face fines of up to $5,000 or jail time. >>Forest Service closes Enchantments through June 18 as search for Travis Decker continues Later that evening, the North Cascades National Park announced the closure of trails in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. The following trails are closed, including backcountry camps and cross-country zones along closed trails: Pacific Crest Trail within the park complex (Agnes Creek, Old Wagon, and Bridge Creek trails) Rainbow Lake Trail Rainbow Creek Trail McAlester Lake Trail Twisp Pass Trail (to USFS border) Stiletto Spur Trail North Fork Bridge Creek Trail Upper Stehekin Valley Trail Flat Creek Trail Thunder Creek Trail from Park Creek Pass to the junction with Upper Stehekin Valley Trail Upper Stehekin Valley Trail to junction with Horseshow Basin Trail Officials added the following statement: 'Trails are closed until further notice due to ongoing search operations for a suspect in Chelan County. The suspect has been identified as Travis Decker. Decker was last seen wearing light colored shirt and dark shorts. Do not approach, the suspect is dangerous and may be armed. If you see, or believe you have seen, Mr. Decker call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to contact or approach him. Anyone with information is urged to call the Chelan County Sheriff's Office tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit your information here: Deputies with the Chelan County Sheriff's Office have released multiple photos and a surveillance video of Decker in the hopes that someone might recognize him. >>Deputies release photos, video of Travis Decker On Thursday, they released a new photo that emphasized Decker's tattoos. Here's a look at all of the photos we have so far: Throughout the week, the Wenatchee community has gathered around the girls' mother, Whitney Decker, in support of her immeasurable grief. Just hours after the news broke Tuesday, hundreds gathered at Memorial Park in Wenatchee to hold a vigil for 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker. Since then, a memorial of flowers and photos has grown as residents gather to mourn and remember the three young girls. 'The community of Wenatchee is here for you. We love you. We support you. We want the best for you and we are incredibly sorry that this happened,' said one community member. A friend of the family started a GoFundMe for the girls' mother. As of Tuesday night, the fundraiser had amassed almost $340,000 to support her with expenses and legal costs following the tragic loss of her three daughters. By Thursday evening, the fundraiser had eclipsed $1,000,000. Over 20,000 people across Washington, the U.S., and even other corners of the world donated towards the fundraiser, leaving messages of support for Whitney and sharing their own experiences with grief. 'When one mother cries, we all cry,' said Amy Edwards, one of the fundraiser organizers and a friend of Whitney's, echoing a sentiment heard throughout the week. 'They were so beautiful and so joyous,' Wenatchee community remembers Decker sisters Edwards joined another family friend, Mark Belton, at Memorial Park on Thursday to read a statement provided by the Decker family and highlight ways to help the family, like this community-organized Facebook group. 'They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked forward to seeing, and held close in their hearts, They are cherished not just by the family but by our entire community, who watched them grow, perform, learn, and love,' they said. 'While nothing can undo this tragedy, we're hopeful these conversations honor Paityn, Olivia, and Evelyn's memory." According to Whitney's friends and family, she's hoping the outpouring of love and energy can be channeled into changing the systems she believes failed her daughters. KIRO 7 spoke with Whitney's attorney Arianna Cozart, who believes, as she says Whitney does, that a change in behavior, in addition to Travis' military background, training, and documented mental health struggles, should have been enough to warrant an Amber Alert. 'Frankly, when this was reported to the police and police were unable to reach Travis immediately, it should've issued an amber alert, and had it done so, those children might be alive,' said Cozart. Call for compassion, love, and action from Whitney Decker's friends and family To keep up with the latest details on the Decker girls, search for their father, and how you can support Whitney Decker in this heart-breaking story – download the KIRO 7 News APP. Stay informed with 24/7 updates.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Dad suspected of killing his three daughters is seen on doorbell cam days before the killings
Police in Washington state released Ring camera footage and photos of Travis Decker, a 32-year-old father wanted for killing his three young daughters. The images were taken days before a court-ordered visitation on May 30, after which his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, went missing. They were found dead on June 2 near Rock Island Campground. Authorities believe the girls died from asphyxiation, with evidence including zip-tied wrists and plastic bags over their heads. Decker's abandoned truck, bearing bloody handprints, was found nearby. A manhunt is underway, with officials cautioning that Decker, trained in wilderness survival, is dangerous and possibly armed. A reward of up to $20,000 is offered for information leading to his arrest.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Murders of Wenatchee girls sparks outcry over WA child welfare laws
The Brief The murders of three young sisters in Wenatchee have sparked debate over Washington's Keeping Families Together Act, which aims to reduce foster care placements. Critics argue the law may compromise child safety by allowing unsupervised visits for risky parents, while DCYF attributes child fatalities to factors like fentanyl availability. The incident underscores tensions between family preservation and child safety, prompting calls to reassess visitation rights practices. WENATCHEE, Wash. - The recent deaths of three young sisters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—have resurfaced a fierce debate over child welfare policies in Washington state. The girls were found near a campground in Wenatchee after a scheduled visit with their father, Travis Decker, who is now a fugitive wanted on charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder. The tragedy has drawn attention to the state's child welfare laws, particularly the Keeping Families Together Act (HB 1227), which was enacted in 2021 to reduce the number of children placed into foster care and support family preservation. However, some lawmakers argue that the law's provisions may have inadvertently compromised child safety. What they're saying Rep. Travis Couture, a Republican representing the 35th Legislative District, has been vocal in his criticism of the law. He emphasized that while he supports parental rights, the safety of children must be the paramount concern. "We've got to start using common sense and find out that if a parent is homeless and/or mentally ill and dangerous that they shouldn't be having unsupervised access to three young children," Couture said. "I think that's a recipe for disaster and just because nothing may have happened in previous visits, it's really a ticking time bomb for some of these folks." Couture also criticized what he perceives as judicial leniency in granting unsupervised visitation rights to parents with known risks. "Oftentimes, what we're seeing here in Washington, is the courts kind of doing some gymnastics and bending over backwards to make sure dangerous parents still have access, unsupervised, to their kids," said Couture. "Just speaking generally about child welfare, we've had a stunning skyrocketing amount of needless deaths of small children in our state over the last handful of years because of the Keeping Families Together Act." The other side The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has defended the law, stating that data does not support claims that it has led to an increase in child fatalities. According to DCYF, the rise in child deaths is primarily due to the increased availability of fentanyl and a lack of substance-use disorder treatment in communities, rather than changes in removal standards. The Source Information in this story comes from original reporting from FOX 13 Seattle reporter Lauren Donovan. Wenatchee dad, 3 young girls unreachable, missing person alert activated 'Shut your legs' comment, rating female staff: Snoqualmie Police Chief fired after probe DOJ to announce drug trafficking arrests in Seattle Washington state named 'sanctuary jurisdiction' by Trump admin, 35 of 39 counties listed Motorcyclist speaks out after arrest made in Auburn, WA hit-and-run nearly 2 years ago WA beekeeper working to save millions of bees involved in crash in Whatcom County FBI scrutiny puts pressure on Seattle mayor after protest clash To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
