Three young sisters reported missing from Washington state have been found dead, and police are now searching for their father, who is suspected in their murders. The discovery of the bodies of 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker was announced Tuesday morning, a day after authorities called off an endangered missing persons alert for the siblings.
The sisters were last seen on May 30 when they left their home in Wenatchee for a planned visit with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker. Authorities had described the father as homeless, living in his vehicle, or staying at various temporary locations in the area.
The Disappearance and Alert
Travis Decker reportedly picked up his daughters around 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30. According to local reports, he did not inform anyone where he intended to take the girls.
The following day, Saturday, May 31, the Washington State Patrol issued an endangered missing person alert. Both the girls and their father were classified as “at-risk/missing.” The alert included a description and photo of the father’s white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck.
Police stated that the visitation was part of a standard parenting plan. However, the father reportedly failed to return his daughters on time and became unreachable, causing concern among law enforcement. Cases involving children missing during custody disputes often prompt immediate alerts and searches due to the increased risk factors.
Search Efforts and Discovery
Initial search efforts focused on local motels, but law enforcement soon shifted their attention to a campground area near Leavenworth, Washington. Decker’s pickup truck was located in this area, found unoccupied.
A thorough search of the campground vicinity subsequently led to the discovery of the bodies of the three sisters. The specific details surrounding the circumstances of their deaths have not been publicly released, but the immediate implication was foul play.
The Search for the Suspect
Following the discovery, authorities identified Travis Decker as the primary suspect in the deaths of his daughters. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on multiple serious charges, including three counts of first-degree murder.
Police have noted that it is currently unknown if Decker is armed. They have also highlighted that he is a military veteran with extensive training, which could potentially impact search and apprehension efforts.
Travis Decker is described as being five feet, eight inches tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last reported seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
Handout photo of Travis Decker, sought by police in connection with the deaths of his three daughters in Washington state.
The search for Travis Decker is ongoing as investigators work to understand the full sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome.
The deaths of the three young Decker sisters have brought widespread grief to the community and underscored the complexities and dangers that can sometimes arise in family domestic situations.
To learn more about missing persons cases or the legal aspects of parenting plans, explore related coverage on our site.
