A tight-knit Washington community is grieving after three young sisters who had been reported missing were found dead in a wooded area near a remote campground. Authorities are now searching for their father, who is believed to be responsible for their deaths.
A Tragic Discovery
The bodies of Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found earlier this week near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County. The girls had been the subject of a missing persons alert after they didn’t return home from a court-ordered visit with their father, Travis Decker.
Their mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing on May 30 after Travis failed to bring them back as scheduled. It was the last time she would see her daughters alive.
For days, search crews combed the rugged terrain near the Wenatchee National Forest. On June 2, their father’s abandoned white GMC Sierra pickup truck was discovered. Not long after, investigators made the heartbreaking discovery of the girls’ bodies nearby.
Who Is Travis Decker?
Travis Decker, 32, is now wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping. Law enforcement says he has military training and may be armed and dangerous. A former Army soldier, Decker had a documented history of mental illness and instability, including a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Court records show he had previously failed to attend mandatory mental health and anger management programs.
Family court documents also reveal ongoing custody battles between Travis and Whitney. Despite concerns about his behavior, he had been granted visitation rights.
Now, police across Washington and neighboring states are searching for him. He has not been seen since the day the girls were last alive.
A Community in Mourning
The Decker sisters were students at Lincoln Elementary School in Wenatchee, where they were known for their kindness, curiosity, and energy.
Superintendent Kory Kalahar issued a statement calling the tragedy “devastating beyond words” and confirmed that grief counselors have been made available for students and staff. “This is a time for our community to come together and support one another,” Kalahar said.
Candlelight vigils have been held in Wenatchee and surrounding towns. Neighbors, teachers, and classmates have placed flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes outside the school and the Decker family home.
Questions About the Alert System
One major question that remains is why no AMBER Alert was issued when the girls were first reported missing. The Washington State Patrol explained that the case didn’t meet the criteria required for an AMBER Alert, which includes confirmation of an abduction and specific details about the suspect or vehicle that could aid in immediate recovery.
Instead, an “Endangered Missing Person Alert” was sent out — a decision that has sparked public criticism.
“It feels like the system failed these girls,” said one Wenatchee resident. “More could have been done, and maybe this could have ended differently.”
What Happens Next
As the search for Travis Decker continues, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. Anyone who sees him or knows where he might be is asked not to approach him, but to call 911 immediately.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement officials say they are determined to bring justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia.
Their mother, now faced with unimaginable grief, released a brief statement through family: “They were my whole world. I will never stop loving them. I will never stop fighting for them.”
This small Washington community, rocked by tragedy, now turns to healing — and to justice.
