Cause of Death Revealed for Three Sisters Found After Visit to Homeless Dad
The tragic deaths of the three Decker sisters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—have shaken the Wenatchee, Washington community.
A preliminary report filed with the Chelan County Superior Court indicates the young girls likely died from asphyxiation.
Their lifeless bodies were discovered Monday evening near the Rock Island Campground, close to their father’s white 2017 GMC Sierra truck, after they went missing during a court-approved visit with him.
The girls had been the subject of an AMBER Alert issued after their father, 32-year-old Travis Caleb Decker, failed to return them on schedule.
That alert was canceled late Monday after the tragic discovery; their deaths were confirmed early Tuesday.
Decker, a homeless military veteran, is the primary suspect in the case and is currently on the run.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest on three counts each of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
He was already wanted on charges of first-degree custodial interference prior to the incident.
According to court documents, Decker picked up his daughters on Friday for a supervised visitation under an existing parenting plan. However, he failed to return them, and attempts to reach him went unanswered.
His phone was off, prompting the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, to alert authorities. Phone records and surveillance later placed him in the Leavenworth area around the time the girls vanished.
Evidence recovered from and around his truck included two bloody handprints, children’s blankets, food items, car seats, and his wallet. Investigators also found signs of recent activity at a nearby campsite.
Authorities have described Decker as 5’8”, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
While it is unclear if he is armed, police have warned the public that he is potentially dangerous and should not be approached.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.
The manhunt has expanded with assistance from SWAT teams and federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the U.S. Forest Service.
Just hours before the girls were found, their mother made a heart-wrenching public plea: “I just want the girls back home safe and sound,” she said. “This is an unimaginable situation.”
Whitney, who had full custody, had agreed to limited supervised visitation under the condition that Decker comply with mental health treatment and anger management.
Records show he had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder but had failed to follow through with court-ordered treatment.
The search for Decker continues as the community mourns an unthinkable loss.
Cause of Death Revealed for Three Sisters Found After Visit to Homeless Dad