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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Harrowing cause of death of three sisters found at campsite bound with zip ties
Travis Decker, 32, is on the run after he was charged with kidnapping and killing his daughters, Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five, who were found bound with zip ties The harrowing cause of death of three young sisters has been revealed after they were found dumped at a campsite restrained with zip ties. Dad Travis Decker, 32, is on the run after he was charged with kidnapping and killing his daughters, Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five. Police discovered his bloody truck near their remains on June 2, three days after their devastated mum reported them missing. Decker was supposed to drop the children off after a scheduled custody visit, but never turned up. In police interviews, ex-wife Whitney Decker told police the dad was "quieter than usual" during the exchange, which was "out of character." She also revealed he had been considering getting rid of his dog due to financial struggles. It comes as a British man was charged after 'trying to drown his daughter-in-law on dream family holiday.' The children were found in June near the Rock Island Campground in Washington state. Their wrists had been zip-tied, and they were likely to have died of asphyxiation, police said. They had been wearing the same clothes they had on when they left their mum's home. Investigators also found the car was abandoned with two bloody adult-sized handprints on the tailgate. However, it is unclear who left them. There was also a tent and a cooler at the campsite, which suggested Decker had been using the area. Decker, a former soldier in the US Army and Washington National Guard, had been divorced since 2022 and had agreed to share custody of their three children. Whitney told local media the pair never had any problems before, but he had been "struggling" since he left the military. "Travis has really struggled since he left the military and his mental health can be hard sometimes," Whitney told Seattle CBS 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." Investigators said Decker had been homeless and living out of his car. The hunt for Decker has been scaled back after nearly two months. Officials said Friday it will do so with a "reduced footprint while the criminal investigation remains ongoing." They described the search efforts around the wilderness and initial crime scene as "exhaustive." "As of today, Mr. Decker has still not been located, and there is insufficient information to suggest that he is alive, nor if he is deceased," the sheriff's office said. Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told ABC News earlier this month that this hunt could be a "long haul." "We could be in a fight for five years, 10 years, 20 years. I certainly hope we're looking at a couple weeks and it closes out, but it could be a long time and we are committed to staying with it," Morrison said. A GoFundMe for Whitney has raised a staggering £1.1million to help cover costs following the tragic loss of her three daughters.
Malaysia Sun
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
Washington Guard, Malaysia Armed Forces strengthen ties at Bersama Warrior 2025
KUANTAN, Malaysia - The 11th annual Bersama Warrior exercise began with an opening ceremony June 17, 2025, with keynote addresses from Malaysian Lt. Gen. Dato' Zahani Bin Hj Zainal Abidin and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ake. Bersama Warrior is an annual, bilateral joint exercise sponsored by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. The exercise enhances U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness, improves interoperability and strengthens the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program relationship between the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Washington National Guard. "As we sharpen our operational planning, we also strengthen our ability to respond as a unified team to emerging challenges, whether they are humanitarian crises, natural disasters or regional threats to peace and stability," Ake said during his opening statement. With more than 90 U.S. personnel participating, this exercise runs through June 26 and will provide the operational planning and lay the groundwork for next year's exercise. The primary goal of the annual exercise is to provide a venue for exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures for peace support operations, with an emphasis on counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance, while demonstrating the U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. "To us, this is more than just a planning exercise. It's a meaningful platform that grows operational readiness, strengthens our beautiful partnership and cultivates a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation of our armed forces," Zahani said. Since formalizing their partnership in August 2017, the Washington National Guard and the Malaysian Armed Forces have consistently engaged in exercises such as Bersama Warrior. These regular interactions strengthen mutual capabilities, reinforce security cooperation, and foster meaningful connections between their personnel. The Official Website of the National Guard | The National Guard on Facebook | The National Guard on X | State Partnership Program | Source:
Malaysia Sun
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
Washington, Malaysia Strengthen Ties at Bersama Warrior 2025
KUANTAN, Malaysia - The 11th annual Bersama Warrior exercise began here with an opening ceremony June 17 with keynote addresses from Malaysian Lt. Gen. Dato' Zahani Bin Hj Zainal Abidin and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ake. Bersama Warrior is an annual, bilateral joint exercise sponsored by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. The exercise enhances U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness, improves interoperability, and strengthens the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program relationship between the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Washington National Guard. "As we sharpen our operational planning, we also strengthen our ability to respond as a unified team to emerging challenges, whether they are humanitarian crises, natural disasters or regional threats to peace and stability," Ake said during his opening statement. With more than 90 U.S. personnel participating, this exercise runs through June 26 and will provide the operational planning and lay the groundwork for next year's exercise. The primary goal of the annual exercise is to provide a venue for exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures for peace support operations, with an emphasis on counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance, while demonstrating the U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. "To us, this is more than just a planning exercise. It's a meaningful platform that grows operational readiness, strengthens our beautiful partnership and cultivates a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation of our armed forces," Zahani said. Since formalizing their partnership in August 2017, the Washington National Guard and the Malaysian Armed Forces have consistently engaged in exercises such as Bersama Warrior. These regular interactions strengthen mutual capabilities, reinforce security cooperation, and foster meaningful connections between their personnel. Source:
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Authorities search hiking area for Washington state father accused of killing 3 daughters
Authorities believe they have tracked Travis Decker, who is accused of killing his three young daughters, to a hiking area in Chelan County, Washington. 'Tracking teams believe they are on Decker's trail, community support and tips are still needed!' the Chelan County Sheriff's Office said in a news release on Tuesday night. Authorities believe he may be in the Blewett Pass area. 'We are asking for the public, especially those who live or have cabins in the area, to remain highly vigilant and report any suspicious activity,' the sheriff's office said. The children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead on June 2 near a campground east of Seattle after their father failed to bring them home from a visitation. According to an affidavit, the girls had bags over their heads and had been zip-tied. An autopsy attributed their deaths to suffocation. Decker's white pickup was found near the girls, according to authorities, who said it had two bloody handprints on it. A large amount of evidence was collected from the scene, along with Decker's dog, which was turned over to a local animal rescue, authorities said. An arrest warrant accuses him of first-degree murder and kidnapping. The manhunt has covered hundreds of square miles by air, land and water, the sheriff's office previously said. Decker, a military veteran and an active member of the Washington National Guard, was described by authorities as an outdoorsman known to go 'off-grid' for months. Authorities tracked him to the Blewett Pass area after receiving a tip from a hiking party who said they saw a lone hiker in the Enchantments area and that the person appeared to be ill-prepared for the trail and weather. The hiking party also said the person appeared to be avoiding others, the sheriff's office said. Tracking teams in a helicopter immediately responded and saw 'a lone, off-trail hiker.' The person ran from sight as the helicopter passed, the sheriff's office said. 'Additional assets were called to the area while they developed a plan to track the individual. Teams later picked up a trail and deployed K9s to the area, tracking the subject to the area of Ingalls Creek Trailhead on HWY 97,' the release states. Authorities are continuing to search the area. Last year, a court ordered Decker to seek mental health treatment and domestic violence anger management counseling, according to the affidavit. It says Decker did not seek treatment and refused to sign a parenting plan imposed by the court. His ex-wife, Whitney Decker, described her relationship with her ex-husband as cordial and said he had never previously failed to return their children, according to the affidavit. This article was originally published on
Newsweek
09-06-2025
- Newsweek
Travis Decker Update: The Latest As National Guard Aids in Expanded Search
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The search for Travis Decker, a former Army soldier accused of killing his three young daughters in Washington state, is in its second week as the Washington National Guard has been deployed to aid law enforcement officers continuing to comb the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Crest Trail region. Authorities reopened several previously closed roads and trails in Chelan County but maintained warnings for area residents and visitors to remain vigilant. Decker, 32, has been described him as a skilled outdoorsman with survivalist training. 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... 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. More Wenatchee Police Department via AP The Context This case has drawn national attention due to the severity of the allegations, questions about gaps in mental health support for veterans, and public safety concerns as the suspect remains at large. The killings of 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 9-year-old Paityn have sparked a wide-scale manhunt and prompted calls for increased security and mental health resources. What To Know Washington Governor Bob Ferguson wrote on X on Saturday that he ordered Washington National Guard resources to support the search for Decker. Karina Shagren, communications director of the Washington Military Department, told Newsweek that the department has a UH60 Blackhawk and crew on standby at the Wenatchee airport. "The area being searched is very rugged – this crew is available in the event law enforcement need to be transported to areas that are inaccessible by road," Shagren said. After a week of intensive searching, Chelan County authorities began reopening some roads and trails closed at the onset of the manhunt. Overnight stays on some backcountry trails remain prohibited through Thursday. Newsweek reached out to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office for comment. Travis Decker picked up his daughters on May 30 for a court-ordered visitation but failed to return them. Their mother reported the children missing that evening. On June 2, the bodies of all three girls were found near the Rock Island Campground, and Decker's abandoned truck was discovered nearby. Suspect's Background and Search Operation Decker is an Army veteran with knowledge of survival skills. "Mr. Decker is well versed in wilderness survival and capable of spending days or even weeks in the wilderness on his own and with very little equipment," the sheriff's office said in a media release. He is wanted for murder, kidnapping, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Over 500 public tips have been reported to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. Public Safety and Community Impact Authorities cautioned residents living in remote and wooded areas across five counties to lock doors and outbuildings, turn on outdoor lights, and remain alert. A $20,000 reward is available for credible tips leading to Decker's arrest. Arianna Cozart, an attorney for the children's mother Whitney Decker, previously told Newsweek that Whitney did not observe any unusual behavior from Travis when he came to pick up the girls on May 30. "If there had been any concerning behavior, Whitney would not have allowed the visitation," Cozart said. Whitney has repeatedly said that the lack of mental health resources for veterans failed Travis, herself and her children, according to Cozart. "I think she is still reeling from losing her entire world. She is strong and kind and wants this tragedy to spur change and save lives. That is what is driving her right now," Cozart said. What People Are Saying Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, on X: "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." Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison, at a press conference: "I don't think any motive would be acceptable. And clearly, it's not the decision of a sound mind." What Happens Next Law enforcement agencies will continue search efforts in the Pacific Northwest, reviewing tips as the investigation advances. The National Guard and other agencies remain deployed, and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and campsites will stay partially closed as authorities pursue all leads in the hunt for Decker. Anyone with information is urged to call the Chelan County Sheriff's Office tip line at 509-667-6845. Officials are warning the public not to contact or approach Decker. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
