Latest news with #PaitynDecker
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Who were Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker? Community mourns amid manhunt
Who were Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker? Community mourns amid manhunt Show Caption Hide Caption New footage of Travis Decker released amid manhunt Travis Decker is wanted on first-degree murder charges in connection with deaths of his three daughters. A Washington state community is grieving the deaths of three young sisters who police believe were killed by their father, whose whereabouts are unknown. Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were reported missing by their mother on May 30 after failing to return from a planned visitation with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker. Authorities found their bodies on June 2 near their father's unoccupied vehicle near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County. Local, state and federal officials continue to search for Travis, who is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder and custodial interference. Authorities released new photos and videos of the suspect and are asking for the public's help as the manhunt continues. Since the tragedy, the community of the Wenatchee Valley has rallied behind the girl's mother, Whitney Decker. A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $1 million in financial support for Whitney as of Thursday, June 5. "We ask for grace at this time. Whitney is grieving the unimaginable," said family friend Amy Edwards, who organized the GoFundMe page, at a news conference June 5. "When one mother cries, we all cry and hold her in our heart. Thank you for holding Whitney in your hearts now." Who were Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker? Olivia Decker, 5; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Paityn Decker, 9 were three sisters in the Wenatchee Valley. In addition to playing sports and attending school in the city of Wenatchee, the three girls were involved in the local art scene through performance and dance. They performed at the Music Theatre of Wenatchee through a children's program known as "Short Shakespeareans" and practiced dance at the city's Fabulous Feet Dance Studio. Edwards, the director of the "Short Shakespeareans" program and whose daughter was on the dance team with Evelyn, said the community will forever ache with the love for the girls. "This valley helped nurture the creativity, confidence and joy that Paityn and Evelyn and Olivia shined so brightly," Edwards told reporters. "Their laughter, curiosity and spirit left a mark on all of us. They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked 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." Fellow organizer Mark Belton thanked the generosity shown for the family adding that "compassion has been a source of light in this dark hour." 'She was a really good friend' The Music Theatre of Wenatchee held a candlelight vigil on June 3 at Wenatchee's Memorial Park. Dozens of children attending the vigil knew the girls either through the dance program, sports or other programs, according to Seattle station KING-TV. "She was really nice. She was a really good dancer. I really think she was a really good friend," 8-year-old Lilly Jones, who danced with Evelyn, told the outlet. "I really miss her and I just think it was too early." Missy Jones, Lilly's mother, told the outlet she became friends with Whitney after meeting in college and reconnected last fall because of their daughters. "Those girls were her whole world. She did everything for them," Jones said. "Obviously it's hard. I've been really proud of the girls being really supportive of each other and giving each other hugs and talking about their memories of their friends." Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Haunting new details of 'killer' dad Travis Decker's military past revealed... as residents are told to 'lock their doors and windows'
Police released a haunting new photo of triple murder suspect Travis Decker as they continue their hunt to find the ex-soldier. Decker, 32, is accused of killing his daughters, Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, after he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following a scheduled three-hour visit. Their bodies were found at a campsite in Leavenworth, 20 miles from their Washington state home, on Monday. Their wrists had been bound with zip ties and each of them had been suffocated with a plastic bag. He vanished into the woods and authorities believe he is still on the loose. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office issued a new warning today, urging locals to 'lock their doors and windows' while Decker remains at large, KIRO reports. Police issued the warning, which includes sheds and outbuildings, to people with cabins in remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas, King, Snohomish and Okanagan Counties. Officials have also recommended locals keep their window blinds open and outside lights on. Decker is considered dangerous, given his extensive military training and propensity for violence. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bloody Handprints, 3 Slain Sisters: What We Know About Missing Dad Accused of Killing Them
Travis Decker is wanted after being accused of murdering his three young daughters The sisters - Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5 - were found dead on Monday Decker remains at large as local authorities continue to search for him in WashingtonTravis Decker remains at large as police in Wenatchee, Wash., and the surrounding area continue their multi-day manhunt for the missing father suspected of killing his three young girls over the weekend. Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead on Monday, June 2 near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., after authorities tracked down their father's abandoned car near where their bodies were discovered, PEOPLE previously reported. Decker, a former military man, remains on the loose according to local authorities, who provided a description of the father over the weekend as the search began. Here's what we know. The Wenatchee Police Department said in a statement over the weekend that Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were all supposed to be with their father for a planned visitation over the weekend. 'The visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it which is not normal and cause for the alarm,' police said. The girls were last seen on May 30 and found dead on Monday, June 2, two days after police first launched their public manhunt. Police have said the 32-year-old Decker has former military experience and should be approached carefully, PEOPLE previously reported. 'It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk,' police said in a statement in recent days. The Wenatchee Police Department said in its May 31 missing persons alert that Decker has recently been 'homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area.' At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Decker was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. He was also most recently wearing his black hair in a ponytail, according to police. 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. Authorities discovered Decker's pickup truck near the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Wash., where the three sisters' bodies were discovered, local Fox 13 reported. According to the outlet, investigators found two bloody handprints on Decker's truck while inside there were items like a blanket, food, and car seats for the girls. Police also discovered a wallet on the center console of the vehicle, according to Fox 13. Court documents obtained by the outlet also say that Decker's cell phone activity showed "he drove to and left the same campground a day prior to the kidnapping.' Decker has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping, police have said. He is also facing custodial interference charges. A GoFundMe page set up for the girls' mother, Whitney Decker, has described the girls' deaths as 'heartbreaking.' "We are heartbroken to share that the girls have since passed ... the pain of this loss is immeasurable," organizer and friend Amy Edwards wrote. "I've known Whitney for years, we're both dance moms and theater friends [and I've] had the privilege of teaching Whitney's girls." The GoFundMe has raised nearly $400,000 in recent days. Edwards says the 'funds raised will go directly to Whitney to help cover final expenses, support time off from work, and give her space to heal without financial pressure.' 'Thank you for keeping Whitney and her girls in your hearts,' the family friend added. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3 Sisters Who Vanished During 'Planned Visitation' with Dad Are Dead — and He's Still Missing: Police
Siblings Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, have been found dead, authorities announced on June 2 The girls were last seen alive on May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a 'planned visitation' with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker Officials are still searching for Decker, who is now wanted on charges of murder and kidnappingThe three young sisters who were last seen on Friday, May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a 'planned visitation' with their father have been found dead. Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead amid the search after authorities located their father's car near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., the Wenatchee Police Department said in a press release on Tuesday, June 2. Police did not share their causes of death or the exact location of where their bodies were found. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, was not located at the scene and remains missing, according to police. Police said Decker is now wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping. "It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk, if approached," police said, adding that the father has former military experience. The girls had left Friday, May 30 with Decker, who also has a warrant out for his arrest on custodial interference charges. The Wenatchee Police Department previously said Decker is 'homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area.' 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 visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it, which is not normal and cause for the alarm,' the police department further said, adding that the father could not be contacted after the girls did not return on time. Police shared photos of the sisters and said they are 'believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own" as they asked for public assistance in locating them. On Saturday, May 31, the day after the sisters were last seen, Washington State Patrol issued an endangered missing person alert, declared the girls and their father 'at-risk/missing,' and shared a photo of their dad's 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck with the license plate D20165C. Then on Monday, June 2, Washington State Patrol announced the cancellation of the endangered missing persons alert for the Decker sisters. At the time, it wasn't immediately clear what changed in the investigation. PEOPLE earlier reached out to police for further with information on Decker's whereabouts is asked to call 911. He stands at 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs 190 lbs., police said. He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3 Sisters Who Vanished During 'Planned Visitation' with Dad Are Dead — and He's Still Missing: Police
Siblings Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, have been found dead, authorities announced on June 2 The girls were last seen alive on May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a 'planned visitation' with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker Officials are still searching for Decker, who is now wanted on charges of murder and kidnappingThe three young sisters who were last seen on Friday, May 30, after leaving their Washington State home for a 'planned visitation' with their father have been found dead. Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead amid the search after authorities located their father's car near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., the Wenatchee Police Department said in a press release on Tuesday, June 2. Police did not share their causes of death or the exact location of where their bodies were found. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, was not located at the scene and remains missing, according to police. Police said Decker is now wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping. "It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk, if approached," police said, adding that the father has former military experience. The girls had left Friday, May 30 with Decker, who also has a warrant out for his arrest on custodial interference charges. The Wenatchee Police Department previously said Decker is 'homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area.' 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 visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it, which is not normal and cause for the alarm,' the police department further said, adding that the father could not be contacted after the girls did not return on time. Police shared photos of the sisters and said they are 'believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own" as they asked for public assistance in locating them. On Saturday, May 31, the day after the sisters were last seen, Washington State Patrol issued an endangered missing person alert, declared the girls and their father 'at-risk/missing,' and shared a photo of their dad's 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck with the license plate D20165C. Then on Monday, June 2, Washington State Patrol announced the cancellation of the endangered missing persons alert for the Decker sisters. At the time, it wasn't immediately clear what changed in the investigation. PEOPLE earlier reached out to police for further with information on Decker's whereabouts is asked to call 911. He stands at 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs 190 lbs., police said. He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. Read the original article on People
