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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Police say father suspected of killing his 3 daughters could be hiding in the wilderness
Authorities in Washington state said the father wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters may have scoped out a hiding location before going off the grid using his outdoor survival skills. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on charges including three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, according to the Wenatchee Police Department. Investigators have learned from Decker's father that he is well-versed in outdoor survival, a skill that may have assisted his efforts to avoid detection, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison confirmed at a June 4 news conference. In addition to being an outdoorsman, Decker went to mountain survival school and served in the U.S. Army, potentially making the search more challenging. "It sounds like at times he would go out and would be leaving off grid for sometimes up to two and a half months," Morrison told reporters. "So we understand that that's a possibility, that he could have scoped out this area before put supplies out there and has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time." But Morrison assured that police will continue to work with federal agencies, from the FBI to Homeland Security, to track Decker down, adding that "we're up for that challenge." "Travis, if you're out there seeing us, we'd like you to turn yourself in," he said. "We want a peaceful resolution to this, but we're not going to relinquish our efforts. So please turn yourself in. Let's wrap this up and do what's right for your kids." Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were found slain by apparent suffocation in a remote campground, according to the Wenatchee Police Department. The girl's mother reported the children missing on May 30 after they left their central Washington home to visit their father. On June 2, a Chelan County deputy found an unoccupied truck at about 3:45 p.m. near the Rock Island Campground. Officers found the bodies of the missing girls soon after, about 75 to 100 yards past the vehicle, down a small embankment, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. While Travis Decker was nowhere to be found, investigators traced his cell phone, which revealed that visited the same campground the day before the kidnapping, the court papers show. Travis Decker, 32, from the Wenatchee area, was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time the girls vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Police did not confirm if he was armed while on the run. Travis Decker is a native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Pewaukee High School in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, according to an online records search by USA TODAY. One of Travis Decker's previous addresses included an Army P.O. box. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Army for comment. He was a member of a standout 2010 Pewaukee wrestling team that reached the state finals, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. His brother, TJ Decker, said Travis Decker graduated from the school in 2010, Fox 6 reported. (This story was updated to include video and correct the name of its network paper.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Father wanted in deaths of 3 girls could be hiding in the wilderness
USA Today
13 hours ago
- USA Today
Police say father suspected of killing his 3 daughters could be hiding in the wilderness
Police say father suspected of killing his 3 daughters could be hiding in the wilderness Authorities in Washington state said the father wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters may have scoped out a hiding location before going off the grid using his outdoor survival skills. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on charges including three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, according to the Wenatchee Police Department. Investigators have learned from Decker's father that he is well-versed in outdoor survival, a skill that may have assisted his efforts to avoid detection, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison confirmed at a June 4 news conference. In addition to being an outdoorsman, Decker went to mountain survival school and served in the U.S. Army, potentially making the search more challenging. "It sounds like at times he would go out and would be leaving off grid for sometimes up to two and a half months," Morrison told reporters. "So we understand that that's a possibility, that he could have scoped out this area before put supplies out there and has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time." But Morrison assured that police will continue to work with federal agencies, from the FBI to Homeland Security, to track Decker down, adding that "we're up for that challenge." "Travis, if you're out there seeing us, we'd like you to turn yourself in," he said. "We want a peaceful resolution to this, but we're not going to relinquish our efforts. So please turn yourself in. Let's wrap this up and do what's right for your kids." How did the three sisters die? Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were found slain by apparent suffocation in a remote campground, according to the Wenatchee Police Department. The girl's mother reported the children missing on May 30 after they left their central Washington home to visit their father. On June 2, a Chelan County deputy found an unoccupied truck at about 3:45 p.m. near the Rock Island Campground. Officers found the bodies of the missing girls soon after, about 75 to 100 yards past the vehicle, down a small embankment, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY. While Travis Decker was nowhere to be found, investigators traced his cell phone, which revealed that visited the same campground the day before the kidnapping, the court papers show. Who is Travis Decker? Travis Decker, 32, from the Wenatchee area, was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time the girls vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Police did not confirm if he was armed while on the run. Travis Decker is a native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Pewaukee High School in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, according to an online records search by USA TODAY. One of Travis Decker's previous addresses included an Army P.O. box. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Army for comment. He was a member of a standout 2010 Pewaukee wrestling team that reached the state finals, according to the Milwaukee News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. His brother, TJ Decker, said Travis Decker graduated from the school in 2010, Fox 6 reported.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- USA Today
Authorities in Washington state search for Pewaukee native whose daughters were found dead
Authorities in Washington state search for Pewaukee native whose daughters were found dead Show Caption Hide Caption How to report a missing person Here's how to take action when a person goes missing. Police in Washington state have begun a manhunt for a Pewaukee native suspected of killing his three daughters there. A warrant has been issued for Travis Decker, 32, for three counts each of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, the Wenatchee Police Department said in a June 3 news release. The girls — Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5 — were found dead in Chelan County on June 2, three days after they were reported missing. Decker was still being sought as part of an investigation that began May 30, when he failed to return the three girls to their mother under a custodial arrangement. Wenatchee police attempted to get the Washington State Patrol to issue an Amber Alert, but circumstances did not warrant a child-abduction alert at that time, according to the release. According to police, Decker has been living mostly out of his pickup truck, staying occasionally in motels and campgrounds. When the girls were reported missing, authorities — including Wenatchee police, Chelan County sheriff deputies, detectives and a Homeland Security helicopter — began searching those area businesses and sites, and also used Flock surveillance cameras to try to trace his vehicle's path. Decker's GMC Sierra truck was eventually located at about 3:45 p.m. June 2 near the Rock Island Campground, in Chelan County, but neither Decker nor his daughters were in it. Shortly thereafter, the girls' bodies were discovered in that vicinity. Police offered no specifics about how they died or precisely where they were found. Authorities added that Decker, who has extensive military training, is considered to pose "a significant risk." It was not known if he was armed with any weapons. Anyone with information was asked to call 911. Wenatchee Police Capt. Brian Chance, in a phone interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, indicated that Decker has not been formally charged with murder or kidnapping. The court-issued warrant indicates, however, that there is probable cause on the charges for his arrest. Chance added that that the Chelan County Sheriff's Office will be the lead agency in the investigation. Decker was a member of a standout 2010 Pewaukee wrestling team, wrestling in the state finals that year. Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at This story was updated to add a video.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Manhunt underway for father accused of murdering his three daughters; former Wisconsin resident
Editor's Note: This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing. WENATCHEE, Wash. (WFRV) – Three sisters under the age of 10 were found dead in Washington on Monday, and a manhunt is underway for their father, a Wisconsin native. According to the Wenatchee Police Department, officers responded to a civil complaint at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, May 30. The mother of three young girls reported that her daughters were not returned following a scheduled visitation with their father. 'Essentially became a missile': 19-year-old De Pere woman faces 25 charges, $500,000 cash bond for allegedly going 80mph in downtown Fond du Lac The girls—ages 9, 8, and 5—were last seen with their father, identified as 32-year-old Travis Decker of the Wenatchee area. According to WFRV's CBS affiliate in Milwaukee, Decker previously lived in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Officers began searching for Decker and the children immediately. Decker was believed to be living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck with Washington license plate D20165C. Local motels in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee were checked without success. The vehicle's information was entered into the local Flock camera database, which showed the truck had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30. An AMBER Alert request was initially denied by the Washington State Patrol, but an Endangered Missing Person Alert was issued the next day after police provided additional information. Over the weekend, Wenatchee Police worked with local law enforcement and the FBI to investigate possible locations in Chelan County. By June 2, the search had narrowed to an area between Icicle Road and Chumstick Road near Leavenworth. That same day, an arrest warrant was issued for Decker on three counts of first-degree custodial interference. At approximately 3:45 p.m. Monday, a Chelan County deputy located Decker's vehicle near the Rock Island Campground off Icicle Road. The truck was unoccupied. While searching the area, authorities found the bodies of the three missing girls. According to the criminal complaint, each was found with a plastic bag over their head, and their wrists were zip-tied. Decker was not located. Authorities say that the preliminary examination suggests the likely cause of death for the three children was affixation. A SWAT team and Washington State Patrol's Crime Scene Response Team responded to assist in processing the scene and searching for Decker. As of now, Decker remains at large. He is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Meth supplier, 2 suspected Wisconsin dealers arrested after traffic stop prompts larger investigation, seizure of 350+ grams Police say Decker is a former military member with extensive training. It is unknown whether he is currently armed, but authorities warn he may pose a significant threat if approached. Anyone who has seen Decker since May 30 or knows his whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Travis Decker Was Last Seen with His 3 Daughters Before They Were Found Dead. Inside the Manhunt for the Missing Washington Dad
Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia Decker were reported missing on May 30, after a "planned visitation" with their dad, Travis Decker The young sisters were found dead on June 2 Travis, who is facing charges related to their death, has yet to be foundThe three young sisters who went missing during a visitation with their father, Travis Decker, have been tragically found dead. The Decker sisters — Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8 and Olivia, 5 — were found dead on June 2, after vanishing on May 30. Following the news of their deaths, a GoFundMe page was set up for their mother, Whitney Decker, by friend Amy Edwards, who described the tragedy as "heartbreaking." "We are heartbroken to share that the girls have since passed. Their light touched so many, and the pain of this loss is immeasurable," Edwards wrote, adding in an update that she will "miss seeing their sweet little faces." While their dad, Travis, has yet to be found, he is facing charges related to his daughters' deaths. According to ABC News, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison had a message for him during a June 3 press conference: "Travis, if you're listening, this is your opportunity to turn yourself in, do the right thing, do what you need to do and take accountability for your actions." "We're not going to rest, and we're going to make sure we find you," he continued. "You will be brought to justice, those young ladies deserve it." From what led to their tragic deaths to the charges against him, here's everything to know so far about Travis Decker's case after his three daughters were found dead. The Decker sisters were last seen on Friday, May 30, after leaving their Washington home for a "planned visitation" with their father, Travis. The next day, the Wenatchee Police Department released an endangered missing persons alert and said that the young girls were "believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own," explaining that they headed out with their dad around 5 p.m. the day before and hadn't been heard from or seen since then. The statement also noted that the investigation had "not met AMBER Alert criteria" at the time. Per The New York Times, they were reported missing by their mother, who is divorced from Travis. According to Wenatchee Police Department's statement, the "visitation was part of a parenting plan," noting that he had "gone outside the parameters of it which is not normal and cause for alarm." Per The New York Times, their mother reported them missing on May 30 around 9:45 p.m. Travis was supposed to drop them off back home by 8 p.m. that night, but that didn't happen. "It was late enough that she felt the need to call police because it was out of the ordinary," Capt. Brian Chance of the Wenatchee Police Department said, per the outlet. According to the affidavit, his ex-wife told the police she was concerned because Travis was "currently experiencing some mental health issues," per The New York Times. Per Wenatchee Police Department's statement, Travis is "homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area." On Monday, June 2, Washington State Patrol announced that they had canceled the endangered missing persons alert. Though officials did not immediately say why the alert was canceled, they announced the next day that the three young girls had been found dead. In a press release, the Wenatchee Police Department shared that authorities located their father's car near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., and found Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia dead at 3:45 p.m. on June 2. Travis, however, was not located at the scene. Fox 13 Seattle reported that his vehicle was found "with two bloody handprints" nearby where the girls' deceased bodies were located. The outlet also reported that various personal items were found inside, including blankets, food, car seats and a wallet "on the center console." According to court documents obtained by Fox 13 Seattle, Travis' cell phone activity reportedly showed "he drove to and left the same campground a day prior to the kidnapping." The causes of death for the three sisters is likely to be "asphyxiation," according to a preliminary report seen by Fox 13 Seattle. Per Cleveland Clinic, asphyxiation happens when a person doesn't get enough oxygen in their body, more commonly known as suffocation. As of June 4, Travis has yet to be located. "It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk, if approached," police said in their June 2 press release, adding that he has former military experience. Per The New York Times, Morrison said at a news conference that authorities had no leads on his location and believed "he could be anywhere within the nation." "We are searching anywhere and everywhere for him," Morrison explained. According to ABC News, police said during the press conference that there would be a $20,000 reward for any information leading to his arrest. After the girls' death was announced, police said in their release that Travis had been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping, on top of the custodial interference charges he was already facing. Read the original article on People
