How Our Listeners Can Bring Travis Decker to Justice

After nearly a week of scouring rugged terrain in central Washington, local authorities have turned over the search for Travis Decker, a father accused of killing his three young daughters, to federal law enforcement, officials confirmed Monday.

It is believed that Decker may attempt or have already entered Canada with the cities of Victoria, Surrey, Burnaby or possibly Vancouver in his sights.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced it was stepping back from the physical search to allow local teams to rest and regroup, while continuing to lead the criminal investigation into the deaths of Decker’s daughters — Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5.

“While our command staff remains engaged with the federal search effort, our teams need time to rest and recuperate so they can return to the field ready,” the department said in a statement.

The girls were reported missing after Decker failed to return them to their mother’s Wenatchee home on May 30, following a scheduled visitation. Their bodies were discovered June 2 near a remote campsite outside Leavenworth, about 120 miles east of Seattle. Authorities say they were suffocated — their wrists zip-tied and plastic bags placed over their heads.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Decker, 32, on charges of first-degree aggravated murder and kidnapping.

Decker, a military veteran and current member of the Washington State National Guard, is believed to be armed and possibly hiding in wilderness areas where he is known to live off the grid for extended periods. Authorities have warned residents with cabins in the area to lock doors and keep exterior lights on.

Search efforts have spanned hundreds of square miles by land, air, and water, involving over 100 officers from local, state, and federal agencies.

At the crime scene, investigators recovered a large amount of evidence, including Decker’s abandoned white GMC pickup truck and his dog, which has since been taken in by a local animal rescue. Blood evidence found on the vehicle included two bloody handprints and samples from both a male and a nonhuman source. Forensic analysis of DNA and fingerprints is ongoing.

Autopsies completed last Friday confirmed the girls died from suffocation and ruled their deaths homicides.

According to court records, Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, had previously raised concerns about his mental health. A parenting plan ordered by the court last year required him to undergo mental health treatment and domestic violence counseling, but he refused to comply. Despite these concerns, she described their relationship as “cordial” and said he had never previously violated the custody arrangement.

In the wake of the tragedy, Whitney Decker has called for reforms to the state’s Amber Alert system, which was not activated after she reported the custody violation. A spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol said the situation did not meet federal criteria for issuing an alert.

The manhunt continues under the leadership of federal agencies, while Chelan County detectives work to process the evidence and build their case against Decker. 

Anyone with information about Decker’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.

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