Latest news with #TravisCalebDecker
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
National Guard deployed in manhunt for survivalist accused of killing his three young daughters
The search has intensified for a Washington state survivalist who has been on the run from authorities for more than a week after he allegedly killed his three young daughters. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson activated the state's National Guard late Friday to assist in the manhunt for Travis Caleb Decker, 32, who disappeared after he failed to return his children following a scheduled visitation. Separately, police said that more than 100 officers are now searching for Decker, with more than 500 tips coming in from the public as police said their focus on the fugitive has narrowed. "At the request of the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, we will be providing helicopter transportation for law enforcement as they search in remote areas," Ferguson wrote on X. Authorities Release New Doorbell Camera Video Of Suspect Who Allegedly Kidnapped, Murdered Three Daughters "As a parent, my heart goes out to Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia's mom, Whitney, and all those who love them. The brutal murder of these young children has shocked our state. I'm committed to supporting law enforcement as they seek justice for Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia." Read On The Fox News App The girls were discovered on Monday with plastic bags over their heads and bound wrists at a campground in Chelan County, approximately 75 to 100 yards from Decker's abandoned truck. They are believed to have died from asphyxiation. Authorities said that new surveillance video, photos and tips from the public are continuously surfacing, which aid in decision-making to find Decker. Decker spent time in the military and is an avid outdoorsman, according to authorities. He did not have legal custody of the girls at the time. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub "Despite the many challenges faced and the complex ongoing murder investigation, morale and effort remains extremely high within staff at the Command Post," the Chelan County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have been given notice to, and are working in conjunction with our surrounding counties in the event Mr. Decker moves through the forest into their jurisdiction. Additionally, the more agencies we can get involved, and the more the public remains vigilant, the better opportunity for success in the capture of Mr. Decker." Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison released a new photo on Thursday showing Decker's tattoos and said that search warrants had generated leads. He urged homeowners and people with mountain cabins to lock their doors – including to sheds and outbuildings, leave their blinds open and turn on outdoor lighting. The children were ages 5, 8 and 9. Decker's ex-wife, Whitney Decker, 35, told police Monday that he had failed to bring the girls back to her after a Friday visit under the terms of their court-ordered parenting plan, according to court documents. Morrison said authorities had not identified a motive. "Clearly, it's not the decision of a sound mind," he said. Travis Decker was limited to visiting the girls every other weekend – and not overnight – according to a court-ordered parenting plan that he did not sign. When he did not bring the girls back by an 8 p.m. curfew Friday, his ex tried calling him – but her attempts went straight to voicemail, according to a Chelan County police affidavit. Washington State Father Wanted For Murder After 3 Daughters Found Dead She told investigators that he had never missed the deadline to return their children before, but warned that he has mental health issues, including borderline personality disorder. He is homeless and splits his time between motels and campgrounds, according to the affidavit. WATCH: New footage released by authorities shows murder suspect Travis Decker Decker drives a 2017 white GMC Sierra with the Washington license plate D20165C, according to authorities. License plate scanners picked up the vehicle heading north over the Wenatchee Bridge on Friday at around 5:40 p.m. He did not show up for work Monday, according to the affidavit. A Chelan County sheriff's deputy found the truck around 4 p.m. on Monday at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Washington. They found all three girls' bodies between 75 and 100 yards away, down an embankment, according to court documents. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X Each one had a plastic bag over her head, and "their wrists were also zip-tied or showed signs of being zip-tied," according to the affidavit. Deputies found two bloody handprints on the pickup's tailgate. Decker's whereabouts remain unknown, and he is charged with three counts each of aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping. He is described as standing about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on both arms and was recently photographed with a goatee and mustache. Sign Up To Get The True Crime Newsletter It is unknown whether he is armed, but authorities say he should be considered dangerous. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office is advising anyone who sees Decker to avoid approaching him and call 911 immediately. He faces a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest. Fox News' Christina Shaw contributed to this article source: National Guard deployed in manhunt for survivalist accused of killing his three young daughters
The Province
a day ago
- The Province
Campgrounds closed along Pacific Crest Trail in search for man wanted in daughters' deaths
The girls' mother reported them missing the night of May 30 when Decker failed to return them to her home in Wenatchee Published Jun 06, 2025 • 3 minute read This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows Travis Caleb Decker who the police are asking the public for help in locating the Washington state father who is wanted for murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. (Wenatchee Police Department via AP) AP SEATTLE — Authorities have closed a wide swath of popular campgrounds and backpacking areas along the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington as they search for a former Army soldier wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Dozens of additional law enforcement officers from an array of agencies joined the investigation and search Friday for Travis Caleb Decker, 32, four days after the girls — 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — were found dead at a remote campsite outside Leavenworth. The girls' mother reported them missing the night of May 30 when Decker failed to return them to her home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle, after a scheduled visit. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that there were more than 100 officers involved in the search, which covered rugged terrain in the Cascade Mountains of central Washington, and more than 500 tips had poured in from the public. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Out of an abundance of caution, we have been given notice to, and are working in conjunction with our surrounding counties in the event Mr. Decker moves through the forest into their jurisdiction,' the statement said. Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and deployed to Afghanistan for four months in 2014, according to Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ruth Castro. From 2014 to 2016, he was an automatic rifleman with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. Last September his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, wrote in a petition to modify their parenting plan that his mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable, often living out of his truck. She sought to restrict him from having overnight visits with the girls until he found housing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He has made huge sacrifices to serve our country and loves his girls very much but he has got to get better,' she wrote. 'I do not want to keep Travis from the girls at all. … But I cannot have our girls staying in what is essentially a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with dozens of strange men, or staying in a tent or living in his truck with him both in extreme temperatures and unknown areas for their safety.' Authorities warned people to be on the lookout for Decker and asked those with remote homes, cabins or outbuildings to keep them locked, to leave blinds open so law enforcement can see inside and to leave exterior lights on. It was unclear if Decker was armed, but the Chelan County Sheriff's Office said he should be considered dangerous. A reward of up to $20,000 was offered for information leading to his arrest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An online fundraiser for Whitney Decker raised more than $1 million, and friends Amy Edwards, who taught the girls in a theater program called 'Short Shakespeareans,' and Mark Belton thanked supporters during a news conference Thursday. 'Their laughter, curiosity and spirit left a mark on all of us,' Edwards said. 'They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked forward to seeing and held close in their hearts.' Edwards and Belton said Whitney Decker hopes the tragedy prompts changes to the state's Amber Alert system as well as improvements in mental health care for veterans. The night the girls were reported missing, Wenatchee police asked the Washington State Patrol to issue an Amber Alert but it declined, saying that as a custody matter without an imminent threat, the case did not meet the criteria for one. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The patrol did issue an 'endangered missing person alert' the next day, but those do not result in notifications being sent to mobile phones. As searches expanded for the girls last weekend, a sheriff's deputy found Decker's pickup in the area of Rock Island Campground, northwest of Leavenworth. There were two bloody handprints on the tailgate. The girls' bodies were discovered down an embankment nearby with evidence that they had been bound with zip ties, according to an affidavit filed in support of murder and kidnapping charges against Decker. County Coroner Wayne Harris said Friday that his office was awaiting pathology results to determine when and how the girls were killed. Authorities issued closure notices the previous day for that camping area, which lies in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, as well as for a large swath of rugged territory to the north. That included trails and campgrounds along the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from the Canadian border to Mexico, and around Stehekin, at the northern end of Lake Chelan. Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News Business Vancouver Canucks
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
WA's Travis Decker searched ‘how to move to Canada' days before murders
The Brief Travis Caleb Decker, wanted for a triple homicide in Chelan County, Washington, conducted Google searches about relocating to Canada days before his 3 girls were found murdered. Authorities found searches such as "how does a person move to Canada" and "jobs Canada" in Decker's Google account. Decker remains at large, and the U.S. Marshals Service is seeking public assistance in locating him. Call 911 if you see him. Authorities are investigating whether Travis Decker, wanted in connection with a triple homicide in Chelan County, Washington, may be attempting to flee to Canada based on recent Google searches found in his account. What we know A deputy U.S. Marshal with the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, revealed in a US Marshals Service affidavit that Decker's Google account included searches such as "how does a person move to Canada," "how to relocate to Canada," and "jobs Canada." These searches were conducted on May 26, shortly before Decker allegedly kidnapped and murdered his three children, Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9. Decker's children were found dead on U.S. Forest Service land near Leavenworth on June 2. His vehicle was found at the scene, but Decker remains at large. US Marshals are concerned that Decker may be attempting to cross the border into Canada. "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. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a challenging 2,650-mile hiking and equestrian trail spanning from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington, primarily following the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. The trail offers scenic diversity, from deserts to glaciated peaks, and is designated as a National Scenic Trail for its natural, historic and cultural significance. The most important aspect of the PCT lies in its ability to connect individuals with the beauty and demanding wilderness of the Western United States, whether experienced through a full thru-hike or shorter section adventures. Dig deeper Decker, a former military member, possesses skills in navigation and survival, which could aid him in evading capture. The arrest warrant for Decker signed on June 3, accuses him of three counts of aggravated murder in the first degree and three counts of kidnapping in the first degree. The warrant is nationwide and stipulates "no bail until first appearance." The charges against Decker are serious felonies that carry significant prison sentences if convicted. The U.S. Marshals Service is seeking public assistance in locating Decker, whose current whereabouts are unknown. The affidavit says there is probable cause to believe Decker committed unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. Authorities told residents in remote areas of Chelan, Okanogan, King, Snohomish and Kittitas counties to be vigilant, lock doors to their cabins or outbuildings, leave their window shades open and turn on outdoor lights. What's next The autopsy report for the three Decker girls was expected to be released by the coroner on Friday, June 6. The Source Information in this story came from a U.S. District Court affidavit, Chelan County court documents and FOX 13 Seattle original reporting. Rangers in Alaska recover body of Seattle man who died from a fall on Mount McKinley Searching for a Nintendo Switch 2 in Seattle? Good luck Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle Key figures from Bryan Kohberger's youth summoned to Idaho for student murders trial Rochester dog training facility owner accused of killing employee during video shoot 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.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Toronto Sun
Campgrounds closed along Pacific Crest Trail in search for man wanted in daughters' deaths
Published Jun 06, 2025 • 3 minute read This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows Travis Caleb Decker who the police are asking the public for help in locating the Washington state father who is wanted for murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. Photo by Wenatchee Police Department / AP SEATTLE — Authorities have closed a wide swath of popular campgrounds and backpacking areas along the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington as they search for a former Army soldier wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Dozens of additional law enforcement officers from an array of agencies joined the investigation and search Friday for Travis Caleb Decker, 32, four days after the girls — 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker and 5-year-old Olivia Decker — were found dead at a remote campsite outside Leavenworth. The girls' mother reported them missing the night of May 30 when Decker failed to return them to her home in Wenatchee, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) east of Seattle, after a scheduled visit. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that there were more than 100 officers involved in the search, which covered rugged terrain in the Cascade Mountains of central Washington, and more than 500 tips had poured in from the public. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A Washington state man is wanted after his three were reported missing and then found dead. Photo by Handout / Wenatchee Police Department 'Out of an abundance of caution, we have been given notice to, and are working in conjunction with our surrounding counties in the event Mr. Decker moves through the forest into their jurisdiction,' the statement said. Decker was an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021 and deployed to Afghanistan for four months in 2014, according to Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ruth Castro. From 2014 to 2016, he was an automatic rifleman with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. Last September his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, wrote in a petition to modify their parenting plan that his mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable, often living out of his truck. She sought to restrict him from having overnight visits with the girls until he found housing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He has made huge sacrifices to serve our country and loves his girls very much but he has got to get better,' she wrote. 'I do not want to keep Travis from the girls at all. … But I cannot have our girls staying in what is essentially a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with dozens of strange men, or staying in a tent or living in his truck with him both in extreme temperatures and unknown areas for their safety.' Authorities warned people to be on the lookout for Decker and asked those with remote homes, cabins or outbuildings to keep them locked, to leave blinds open so law enforcement can see inside and to leave exterior lights on. It was unclear if Decker was armed, but the Chelan County Sheriff's Office said he should be considered dangerous. A reward of up to $20,000 was offered for information leading to his arrest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An online fundraiser for Whitney Decker raised more than $1 million, and friends Amy Edwards, who taught the girls in a theater program called 'Short Shakespeareans,' and Mark Belton thanked supporters during a news conference Thursday. 'Their laughter, curiosity and spirit left a mark on all of us,' Edwards said. 'They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked forward to seeing and held close in their hearts.' Edwards and Belton said Whitney Decker hopes the tragedy prompts changes to the state's Amber Alert system as well as improvements in mental health care for veterans. The night the girls were reported missing, Wenatchee police asked the Washington State Patrol to issue an Amber Alert but it declined, saying that as a custody matter without an imminent threat, the case did not meet the criteria for one. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The patrol did issue an 'endangered missing person alert' the next day, but those do not result in notifications being sent to mobile phones. As searches expanded for the girls last weekend, a sheriff's deputy found Decker's pickup in the area of Rock Island Campground, northwest of Leavenworth. There were two bloody handprints on the tailgate. The girls' bodies were discovered down an embankment nearby with evidence that they had been bound with zip ties, according to an affidavit filed in support of murder and kidnapping charges against Decker. County Coroner Wayne Harris said Friday that his office was awaiting pathology results to determine when and how the girls were killed. Authorities issued closure notices the previous day for that camping area, which lies in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, as well as for a large swath of rugged territory to the north. That included trails and campgrounds along the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from the Canadian border to Mexico, and around Stehekin, at the northern end of Lake Chelan. Olympics Toronto & GTA NHL Columnists Toronto & GTA
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Google searches for ‘how to move to Canada' cited in Travis Decker federal case
A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Travis Caleb Decker, the man accused of kidnapping and killing his three young daughters near Leavenworth, Washington, after authorities say he fled the area and may be attempting to escape prosecution. According to a newly filed affidavit from U.S. Marshals Service Deputy Keegan Stanley, Decker is charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. The charge comes in addition to existing state charges that include three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping. The affidavit, filed in U.S. District Court in Eastern Washington, describes the intensive investigation following the disappearance and death of Decker's children: Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. The girls were last seen on May 30, during a scheduled custody visit in the Wenatchee area. Their remains were discovered two days later, on June 2, on U.S. Forest Service land near Icicle River Road in Leavenworth. Decker's vehicle was found at the scene, but he was not. Court documents reveal that Decker, a former military member and avid outdoorsman, may have used his extensive knowledge of wilderness survival to evade capture. Authorities say he is trained in long-distance movement, navigation, and off-the-grid living. Investigators also noted that Decker once lived off the land in remote terrain for more than two months. According to the affidavit, Decker conducted a series of Google searches on May 26, 2025 — just days before the girls were reported missing — that included phrases like 'how does a person move to canada', 'how to relocate to canada', 'jobs canada' and 'jobs canada'. He also visited the official Canadian job website, suggesting he may have been planning to flee the country. The affidavit notes that the location of the girls' remains is less than a dozen miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches to the Canadian border. The U.S. Marshals believe Decker may have headed into remote terrain with the intention of escaping law enforcement. A Chelan County Superior Court judge issued a warrant for Decker's arrest on June 3, ordering no bail until his first appearance in court. That warrant carries nationwide extradition authority. Decker's location remains unknown, and law enforcement agencies nationwide continue the search. Officials urge the public to report any confirmed sightings to authorities immediately.
