Latest news with #RockIslandCampground
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Disturbing new details revealed in autopsy for three sisters 'killed by their on-the-run father Travis Decker'
Disturbing new details have emerged from the autopsies of three sisters allegedly to have been killed by their father. Travis Decker, 32, remains on the run a week after the bodies of his daughters, nine-year-old Paityn, eight-year-old Evelyn and five-year-old Olivia were found near the Rock Island Campground in Washington. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office revealed 'blood samples taken from the scene have come back positive for belonging to a male, and another was not human blood.' Decker abandoned his dog when he went on the run. 'The suspect's dog was recovered and turned over to the humane society for safe care,' a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said. 'Further DNA and fingerprint analyses are still being conducted.' Autopsies have now been conducted on each of the little girls to determine their cause of death. 'The cause of death was determined to be suffocation and the manner of death was determined to be homicide,' the spokesperson said. Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia were reported missing on May 30 after Decker failed to return them home from a scheduled visitation. Whitney Decker, the fugitive father's ex-wife and mom of their late daughters, never imagined he might have been on the verge of carrying out a heinous act after he arrived to pick up their girls for a scheduled three-hour visitation According to Whitney's attorney Arianna Cozart, 'she had no reason to suspect anything was wrong.' But a supervisor at his construction job told Whitney shortly after Travis vanished that he had seemed 'on the brink of something extreme' earlier that day while on the job. Whitney said through her lawyer that she initially begged police to issue an Amber Alert for them but was told the case did not meet the requirements. When the bodies of her daughters were found, their wrists had been bound with zip ties and each of them had been suffocated with a plastic bag. After finding the girls, investigators 'obtained and served multiple search warrants for records contained in Decker's Google accounts,' leading them to discover that the 32-year-old appeared 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.' On June 8, local authorities handed search efforts for Decker over to federal authorities to 'rest local resources.' 'We had reached a point where we need to rest our local resources,' the spokesperson said. 'Our command staff continues to be engaged with the search command while we give our teams time off to rest and recuperate and be ready to rejoin the search for, and capture of, the suspect.' Decker is 5'8'' with black hair and brown eyes. An updated wanted poster showed Decker wearing a tan shirt with the number 59 on the sleeve, dark shorts, flip flops with his hair tied back, carrying 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.' He is considered very dangerous given his extensive military training and propensity for violence.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Travis Decker's chilling web searches days before ‘killing daughters' reveals possible escape plan as manhunt continues
Emma Crabtree, Weekend US Editor Published: Invalid Date, TRAVIS Decker, the dad accused of kidnapping and murdering his three daughters made chilling web searches days beforehand. As the manhunt for the war veteran continues, an investigation into his internet history reveals his possible escape plan. 9 9 9 Cops believe Decker killed Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn Decker, 9, during a court-ordered custody visit before dumping their bodies at a rural campsite in Washington State. Whitney Decker, the mother of the children and Decker's ex-wife reported the girls missing on May 30 after he failed to drop them home. They were last seen with their father around 5 pm local time after he picked them up that day. The bodies of all three siblings were found at Rock Island Campground, about an hour outside of Wenatchee, Washington near Decker's vehicle that had bloody handprints on the tailgate. It comes as... The girls' bodies were found on Monday as cops said they likely died of asphyxiation Travis Decker's truck was found 75 to 100 yards away with two bloody adult-sized handprints on the tailgate The girls' mom, Whitney Decker, said her ex-husband was unusually quiet when he picked them up Eerie video of Decker showed his recent appearance Cops fear Decker could survive in the woods for MONTHS due to extensive military training Whitney shared the final message Decker gave her before the alleged killings Officials shot down claims Decker was seen in Idaho A GoFundMe for Whitney has raised over $1 million Whitney shared a father's day video saying something 'broke' in Decker and he was a loving dad and husband Cops believe the three children were suffocated to death as they continue to hunt for Decker who is on the run. As Governor Bob Ferguson activated the National Guard to support the over 100-strong manhunt for Decker, a look into his internet search history revealed a possible escape plan. A US Marshals Service affidavit obtained by Fox News affliate KCPQ claims he searched "how to relocate to Canada". Other searches found on his Google account included a Canadian job website and "how does a person move to Canada". 9 9 9 These were carried out on May 26, just days before Decker failed to return the children to their mother. Court documents seen by KCPQ also reveal that the 32-year-old's phone records show "he drove to and left the same campground a day prior to the kidnapping." Officials who are already concerned about how Decker's military training will make him hard to find have highlighted their concerns that he has crossed the border. There is currently no official port of entry at that part of the border so hikers can freely cross into Canada without detection. "The location of the victim's remains is relatively close to the Canadian border and approximately 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, a well-established trail that leads directly Canada," the affidavit read. Authorities have launched a land and air search of the popular tourist spot but nothing has emerged yet. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office involved in the hunt has revealed that Decker's military past means he is "well versed in wilderness survival". He is "capable of spending days or even weeks in the wilderness on his own and with very little equipment". Court documents highlight that Decker is trained in navigation, mountainous and woodland terrain, long-distance manoeuvers and wilderness survival. 9 "We are searching anywhere and everywhere for him," Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said. Those living in remote cabins and rural areas have been warned to keep their doors locked to all buildings including sheds. They have also been told to keep their outdoor lights on and window blinds open. To help with the search, the Sheriff's Office has released some new pictures of Decker. The updated release continues to warn the public that he is "considered dangerous and may be armed, call 911 immediately". The pictures taken from a surveillance camera show him walking in a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals with facial hair and a pony tail. Others show close-ups of the distinctive tattoos he has on his arms and ankles. His grieving ex-wife has said that "something broke in him" after he struggled to get help for his mental health issues, insisting he was a good father and never violent to her or the children. Decker's arrest warrant charges him with three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping. Timeline of the missing Decker girls Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead at a campground after they were last seen on a custody visit to their dad. Below is a timeline of events: Monday, May 26 Travis Decker searches online for "how does a person move to Canada", a Canadian job website and "how does a person move to Canada". Thursday, May 29 Decker's cell activity shows that he drove to and from the Rock Island Campground Friday, May 30 5 pm - The three girls are picked up from their mom's house by their dad 9:45 pm - Whitney Decker calls the Wenatchee Police Department to report her daughters missing Travis' truck is seen driving westbound on Highway 2. Washington State Patrol is contacted for an Amber Alert but said the situation didn't match their criteria. Saturday, May 31 WPD issues an Endangered Missing Persons Alert. Monday, June 2 3:45 pm - Decker's truck is found empty with bloody hand prints at Rock Island Campground. 5 pm - Cops search the area and find the bodies of the three girls. Tuesday, June 3 9:30 am - WPD notifies the public that they are still searching for Decker. 2 pm - WPD tells the public that the three girls were found dead and that Decker is still on the loose.
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.
The Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Three missing children found dead after vanishing on visit with homeless dad as cops slammed for not issuing Amber Alert
THREE missing sisters have been found dead days after they were reported missing while visiting their dad. Authorities are being accused of "failing" the sisters by not issuing an Amber Alert for them as cops launch a manhunt for their father, who is charged with kidnapping and killing them. 6 6 6 Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead on Monday night after cops swarmed Rock Island Campground, about an hour outside of Wenatchee, Washington, where the girls lived with their mother. Cops are now searching for Travis Decker, 32, who the girls were last seen with on what was supposed to be a three-hour custody visit on Friday. Decker, who cops say is homeless, didn't drop his daughters off at the end of the visit, prompting their mom to report them missing that night. Washington State Patrol then issued an endangered missing persons alert for the siblings after Decker was seen leaving Wenatchee with the girls. Cops decided not to send out an Amber Alert, designed to warn of child abductions, because they thought it was a custody issue. 'AMBER alerts involve more imminency, like we know something will happen, versus what we were dealing with over the weekend was more of an overdue child scenario,' Wenatchee Police Sergeant Joe Eaton told NCWLIFE. Now, members of the public are lashing out at police for not doing more to alert people to the unfolding situation. "This isn't just heartbreaking, it's infuriating," one Facebook user commented on WPD's Facebook post. "These girls are gone because the system FAILED them. The police didn't take it seriously, and the court system let them down too. "There was a predator out there and instead of protecting our community, you stayed silent. No alerts, no warnings nothing." 6 6 6 Another wrote, "How come an amber alert was not issued until it made national news? You failed this mother and her kids. "The amber alert should have been issued the day he didn't come back and no contact could be made." It's unclear how the three girls died, but Decker has been charged with their murders. Cops warned members of the public not to approach Decker, a veteran who they believe is mentally unstable. Timeline of the missing Decker girls Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead at a campground after they were last seen on a custody visit to their dad. Below is a timeline of events: Friday, May 30 5 pm - The three girls are picked up from their mom's house by their dad, Travis Decker 9:45 pm - Whitney Decker calls the Wenatchee Police Department to report her daughters missing Travis' truck is seen driving westbound on Highway 2. Washington State Patrol is contacted for an Amber Alert but said the situation didn't match their criteria. Saturday, May 31 WPD issues an Endangered Missing Persons Alert. Monday, June 2 3:45 pm - Decker's truck is found empty at Rock Island Campground. 5 pm - Cops search the area and find the bodies of the three girls. Tuesday, June 3 9:30 am - Cops notify the public that they are still searching for Decker. Crime scene processing is expected to conclude. "Decker is a former Military with extensive training," the Wenatchee Police Department said. It's unclear if he is armed. He was living out of his truck, which was found abandoned on the campground with the girls' bodies. MOM'S CONCERNS Decker's ex-wife, the girls' mom, previously shared that there were never any problems with their daughters visiting him in the past. "Travis has really struggled since he left the military and his mental health can be hard sometimes," Whitney Decker told Seattle CBS affiliate KIRO on Monday, before the girls' bodies were found. "I think this is an effect of that, and I don't personally think that he's dangerous." She added, "I think that he is impulsive and he loves his children very much." Wenatchee Police Department said in a press release on Saturday that Decker is homeless and lives in his truck, in hotels, or at campgrounds in the area. "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," cops said at the time. A GoFundMe to support Whitney has raised $50,000 of its $100,000 goal. "These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them," the fundraiser's organizer wrote.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Bodies of three missing sisters found as police swoop on campsite in search of their 'murderer' father Travis Decker
The three missing sisters who vanished after a three-hour visit with their father have been found dead in Washington after days of frantic searching by authorities. Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, were found deceased on Monday evening, prompting state police to call off the Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA). Police had swarmed around Rock Island Campground, blocking traffic and sending drivers in the other direction after they found their father's truck around 3:45pm on Monday. Their 'mentally unstable' father Travis Decker - who they were last seen with - is at large and police are looking for him. The father-of-three has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Police said the veteran could 'pose a significant risk if approached' as he has extensive combat training. It is unclear if he is armed. Decker, 32, does not have permanent housing and is known to stay at hotels and campgrounds, police said. His ex-wife, the girls' mother, had been particularly worried because he has 'really struggled since he left the military.' 'His mental health can be hard sometimes,' she told KIRO 7. The Wenatchee Police Department offered their 'sincere and deep heartfelt condolences,' to the family. Authorities found Decker's truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls' bodies were found, but Decker was nowhere to be seen. A SWAT team was called to the campground around 5pm yesterday and the area was shut down between 7pm and 9pm. Travis Decker is described as 5'8" and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes. The girls were last seen alive at their mother's house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit. The visitation was part of their parenting plan, but an alarm was raised after Decker didn't return with the girls on Friday. The girls' mother, Whitney, reported the girls missing at 9:45pm on Friday and police began working to determine where the father and the children were. Authorities found Decker's truck around 3:45pm near Rock Island Campground. While searching the area, the girls' bodies were found The girls were last seen alive at their mother's house, where Decker picked them up for a scheduled three-hour visit. His ex-wife had been particularly worried because he has 'really struggled since he left the military.' 'His mental health can be hard sometimes,' she said His GMC truck was last spotted on Highway 2 on Friday. The Washington State Patrol was contacted about issuing an AMBER Alert, but none was given as it did not meet criteria, Wenatchee Police Department said. The Endangered and Missing Persons Alert (EMPA) was issued on Saturday after 'additional information' was provided, the police department said. Law enforcement is asking the public for help in finding Decker, but advised locals not to approach him. A GoFundMe was started for the mother-of-three, raising $30,000 in less than a day. 'These girls were true light in this world and and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces,' the fundraiser read. 'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them.'
