A massive manhunt is underway for Travis Decker, the Washington father accused of murdering his three young daughters before vanishing into the wilderness nearly two weeks ago. Authorities now say they may have spotted the fugitive in the rugged Cascade Range, but capturing him won't be easy.
Police released a new image of Travis Decker. Credit: Chelan County Sheriff's Office.
The victims: three sisters taken too soon
On May 30, Decker, 32, failed to return his daughters, Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five, to their mother, Whitney Decker, after a scheduled court-ordered visit. Whitney, alarmed by his uncharacteristic silence, immediately reported them missing. Despite her pleas, no Amber Alert was issued.
As previously reported, a three-day search ended in heartbreak on June 2, when Chelan County deputies discovered the girls’ bodies near Rock Island Campground, about 18 miles west of Leavenworth. Each reportedly had plastic bags over their heads and zip ties on their wrists. Autopsies confirmed the cause of death was suffocation, and investigators officially ruled the case a triple homicide.
Their bodies were located roughly 100 yards down an embankment from Decker’s abandoned white 2017 GMC Sierra. Inside the truck were zip ties, food, car seats, blankets, Decker’s wallet, and two bloody handprints. A non-human blood sample was also found, and Decker’s dog was recovered nearby.
The fugitive: a dangerous man with military training
Decker is a former U.S. Army infantryman who served from 2013 to 2021, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He later joined the Washington National Guard and was reportedly trained in elite combat tactics, survival skills, airborne operations, and even served as an instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia.
He’s described as 5'8", 190 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and tattoos on both arms and one ankle. In recently released images, he wears a tan shirt marked with the number 59, dark shorts, flip-flops, and has his hair pulled back. He may also have a ponytail, mustache, and goatee, as per a description released by Chelan County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities warn the public not to approach him. “He is considered dangerous and potentially armed,” officials said.
Signs of mental instability
Court filings and family accounts paint a troubling picture of Decker’s mental health. In September, Whitney Decker petitioned to limit his overnight visits, citing instability and homelessness. He had been living out of his truck, missed mandatory military drills, and was being processed for discharge from the National Guard.
Attorney Arianna Cozart, representing Whitney, later told The Seattle Times: “Something broke inside of Decker... everything that had been bottled up inside of him for so long, as far as trauma, just won out.”
His employer also raised red flags, telling Whitney that Decker seemed “on the brink of something extreme” the day he vanished with the girls.
Latest developments in the manhunt
Now, nearly two weeks into the search, authorities believe they may have located Decker in the Enchantments region of the Cascade Mountains.
Hikers reported seeing a lone man “ill-prepared for the conditions” near Colchuk Lake. A helicopter later spotted someone off-trail who quickly fled. K-9 teams and trackers followed footprints to Ingalls Creek Trailhead, prompting a community alert in surrounding towns.
Officials say Decker’s extensive survival training makes him exceptionally difficult to track in this rugged, remote terrain. “He could have scoped out this area and cached supplies,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. “He has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time.”
Decker’s Google account history revealed search queries including “how does a person move to Canada” and “how to relocate to Canada.” The Rock Island Campground, where the girls were found, is just 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends into Canada.
Federal authorities, including the U.S. Marshals Service and Homeland Security, have now taken over the investigation. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Decker’s arrest.
A chilling last sighting
A video recorded before the murders shows Decker behaving oddly on a stranger’s Ring doorbell camera, sliding his hand up and down the door without explanation. Authorities confirmed this is the last known footage of him before the tragedy.
As investigators continue to canvass national forests, review surveillance footage, and comb through potential tips, communities in central Washington remain on edge.
Despite the horror of the crime, those who knew Decker say the murders were unthinkable because they couldn’t imagine him turning on his children. “He would not have done what he did if he were himself,” Cozart said.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe organized for Whitney Decker has raised over $1.2m to support funeral costs and provide emotional and financial support as she mourns her daughters.
Sheriff Morrison emphasized the personal stakes behind the manhunt: “The girls are a motivating force for us,” he said.