This is one of those stories that’s hard to even write about, honestly. A father from Washington, Travis Decker, is missing right now — and police say he vanished right after his three little girls were found dead during a weekend visit that was supposed to be court-approved. It’s the kind of thing that leaves a community stunned, and honestly, heartbroken.
People in Wenatchee, where the family is from, are shaken. Schools, neighbors, friends — everyone’s talking about it. It’s not something you ever expect to happen close to home. Now there’s a manhunt going on, and everyone’s hoping for answers soon.
What Went Wrong During the Visit?
On May 30, Travis Decker picked up his three daughters for what seemed like a regular visit. Their names were Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5). Their mom, Whitney Decker, had custody, but this visit was approved by the court. Things seemed okay at first, but when Travis didn’t bring the girls back on time, Whitney knew something wasn’t right. She called the authorities.
A lot of people were upset because an AMBER Alert wasn’t issued right away. Instead, police sent out what they called an “Endangered Missing Person Alert.” That didn’t sit well with folks — especially since the girls were so young.
Then on June 2, things took a dark turn. Travis’s white pickup truck was found near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County. And not far from the truck, they found the girls. All three of them were gone. Police said their wrists had been zip-tied, and they believe plastic bags may have been used, suggesting the girls were suffocated.
That’s just... heartbreaking. There’s no other way to put it. The girls went to Lincoln Elementary School, and now the school has brought in grief counselors to help classmates and teachers deal with the loss. No one knows what to say. It’s just too much.
Washington, Oregon and Idaho people please be on the lookout for Travis Decker who kidnapped his three young daughters and murdered them at a campground here in Washington last night. pic.twitter.com/zfM9wwYirs
— Christine š§·ā¤ļøššš¶š±š¦š³ļøšš» (@christine_p_33) June 3, 2025
Who Is Travis Decker and What Do We Know About Him?
Now, let’s talk about Travis. People are trying to figure out who this man is — what was going on in his life, and what could have pushed things this far.
He’s 32 and a former Army soldier. That means he’s trained in survival and combat — which is honestly kind of scary now that he’s missing. At the time all this happened, he was living out of his truck. He didn’t have a stable home. It sounds like he had been struggling mentally for a while.
Court records say he was supposed to be going to therapy and attending anger management classes. That was part of a previous court order, but it looks like he didn’t follow through. There are also reports saying he had borderline personality disorder, and he was in the process of getting discharged from the National Guard. He wasn’t working and seemed to be having a really rough time.
Here’s what we know so far:
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He was going through discharge from the National Guard.
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Diagnosed with a serious mental health condition.
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Had stopped following court-ordered treatment.
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Reportedly living in his truck, unemployed.
Police think he might be hiding somewhere in the wilderness, using his Army skills to stay off the grid. They’re calling him “armed and dangerous,” which says a lot. People are scared, and it’s understandable.
The Manhunt Is Still Going On
Right now, the search for Travis Decker is still going. It’s not just local police — the U.S. Marshals and other agencies are helping too. There’s a $20,000 reward being offered for any tip that leads to his arrest. They’re urging people: do not try to approach him. If you see him, call 911 immediately.
The community has been trying to support Whitney, the girls’ mother, in any way they can. A GoFundMe was started to help her with funeral expenses and just day-to-day needs during this horrible time. Last I checked, it had already raised more than $50,000. It’s clear that people care and are heartbroken right along with her.
You know, this story hits differently. It’s not just about crime or headlines. It’s about three little girls who didn’t come home and a mom whose world has fallen apart. Everyone’s hoping for justice — and some kind of peace — soon.
