As the search intensifies for a father in Washington state wanted in connection to the deaths of his three school-age daughters, the girls’ mother made her first public statement about the children since their passing. Tears in her eyes, Whitney Decker expressed her hope that the girls’ lives would be remembered forever in people’s hearts during a memorial service on June 20. She described her daughters, Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5, as incredible.
The tragic events unfolded when the Decker sisters went missing on May 30 after leaving their home for a scheduled visit with their father in Wenatchee, located in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. Sadly, the girls were found deceased near Rock Island Campground on June 2, three days after their mother reported them missing. Authorities discovered their bodies near their father’s abandoned vehicle at the campground.
Travis Decker, a 33-year-old U.S. Army veteran, is now wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference related to the deaths of his daughters. Despite intensive search efforts involving local, state, and federal authorities, Decker remains at large as the investigation progresses into its fourth week.
During the emotional memorial service, Whitney Decker spoke fondly of her daughters’ loving and kind personalities, highlighting how they had warm and open hearts towards others in the community. She shared anecdotes about each girl’s unique qualities, expressing gratitude for the time she had with them.
As the investigation continues, the motive behind the tragic events involving Travis Decker and his daughters remains under scrutiny. Decker, who was reportedly homeless and living in a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time of the girls’ disappearance, is the subject of an ongoing manhunt led by law enforcement officials.
According to the police, Travis Decker is a former military member with extensive training and may present a significant risk if approached. Court documents obtained by USA TODAY indicate that Decker had displayed mental health issues before the tragic deaths of his daughters. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has released photos showing how the wanted man from Washington may have changed his appearance. Decker is wanted on several felony charges, including three counts of first-degree murder in connection with his daughters’ deaths.
Description of Travis Decker: He is described as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing at 5’8″ and weighing 190 pounds. The last known outfit he wore was a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. Decker, a resident of Washington state, faces charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference after the bodies of his three daughters were discovered on June 2, 2025, near his abandoned vehicle at the Rock Island Campground. Authorities advise against approaching him.
If you have any information about Travis Decker’s whereabouts or if you see him, please contact 911 immediately. You can also reach the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information online at https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip. For more details, contact Natalie Neysa Alund, a senior reporter at USA TODAY, at nalund@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
