Paityn Decker, Evelyn Decker, and Olivia Decker Identified as Victims in Triple Homicide at Rock Island Campground; Father and Fugitive Travis Decker Wanted for First-Degree Murder and Kidnapping in Shocking Washington Case
WENATCHEE, WA — The tragic disappearance of three young sisters in Chelan County, Washington, ended in horror and heartbreak on Monday, June 2, as law enforcement officials confirmed that 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker were found dead near Rock Island Campground. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, is now the subject of an intensive manhunt, wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree kidnapping following what authorities are calling one of the most disturbing crimes in recent Washington state memory.
Timeline of the Tragedy: From Visitation to Vanishing
The sequence of events began on Friday, May 31, when the Decker sisters were last seen leaving with their father, Travis Decker, for a scheduled, court-approved visitation. The visit was supposed to follow strict legal parameters due to Travis Decker’s history of instability and contentious custody proceedings with the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker.
When Travis failed to return the girls as scheduled and ceased responding to communication, concern quickly escalated. Whitney Decker, alarmed by the silence and Decker’s past behavior, contacted law enforcement that evening. Her fears prompted the Wenatchee Police Department and Chelan County Sheriff’s Office to issue an Endangered Missing Persons Alert for all three girls early Saturday morning.
Discovery at Rock Island Campground
The situation intensified over the weekend, with law enforcement expanding search efforts across Chelan County and surrounding areas. Surveillance cameras, license plate readers, and citizen reports were reviewed in hopes of tracing Travis Decker’s movements. On Monday, June 2, around 3:00 p.m., officers located a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck, registered to Decker, abandoned near Rock Island Campground—a remote, forested area southeast of Wenatchee.
According to authorities, the vehicle was empty, and Decker was nowhere in sight. Shortly after the discovery, officers searching the immediate area discovered the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker—each concealed near the edge of the campground in what law enforcement described as a “hastily covered scene.”
The Chelan County Coroner’s Office is conducting autopsies to determine the exact cause and time of death. Officials have not yet released specifics on how the girls died, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the need to preserve forensic integrity. However, law enforcement officials confirmed that the deaths are being investigated as homicides.
Who Is Travis Decker? Background on the Suspect
Travis Decker is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, approximately 190 pounds, with black hair often worn in a ponytail, and brown eyes. According to public records and family court documents, Decker is a former member of the U.S. military, discharged several years ago under conditions that have not been publicly disclosed. He is believed to have been unemployed and homeless, living out of his truck in the months leading up to the murders.
Sources familiar with Decker’s past describe a man who had once shown promise as a soldier and father but who became increasingly erratic, paranoid, and angry following his separation from Whitney Decker. Court filings from 2024 show that Whitney had raised concerns about Travis’s mental health, substance use, and access to firearms. However, no formal restraining order was in place at the time of the visitation.
According to law enforcement, Decker may be carrying weapons and should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Authorities have emphasized that anyone who sees him should not approach and should immediately call 911.
A Mother’s Plea and the Collapse of Hope
In the hours before the grim discovery, Whitney Decker, the girls’ mother, appeared in a heartbreaking public plea that aired on several local news stations and circulated widely on social media.
“I just want the girls back home safe and sound,” she said through tears. “Please, if anyone sees Travis or has seen them, say something. My girls are everything to me.”
By late Monday, Whitney’s worst fears were confirmed. In a statement issued by the Wenatchee Police Department, investigators extended their deepest condolences to the grieving mother and surviving family members.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” read the department’s statement. “We want to express our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. Our focus now is to locate the suspect and bring justice for the victims.”
Nationwide Manhunt Underway
Federal, state, and local agencies are now coordinating efforts to locate Travis Decker. The FBI has confirmed that they are assisting in the investigation, and a federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP) warrant has been issued to facilitate cross-jurisdictional pursuit.
Drone surveillance, aerial searches, and canine units have been deployed throughout forested and rural regions of Chelan and Douglas counties. Border crossings, airports, and transit stations are also under increased scrutiny.
Investigators are particularly concerned that Decker’s military background—which included wilderness survival training—could enable him to evade capture for an extended period.
“This is someone who knows how to disappear,” one official said under condition of anonymity. “But he also knows how to harm, and that makes him a serious threat to public safety.”
Public and Community Response
The Wenatchee and Chelan County communities are reeling from the news. In a solemn vigil held Monday night at Riverfront Park, dozens of residents gathered to light candles in memory of the three young girls. Local churches, schools, and civic organizations have offered counseling services and grief support to residents shaken by the tragedy.
“Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were known in their schools as joyful, kind-hearted girls who loved nature, art, and playing with their friends,” said one local teacher. “They had a whole future ahead of them. This should never have happened.”
Online, the hashtag #JusticeForTheDeckerSisters began trending late Monday as people across the country expressed outrage, sorrow, and calls for action. Many have criticized the family court system for allowing unsupervised visitation, given what some believe were clear red flags in Travis Decker’s behavior and circumstances.
Legal Context: Custody, Red Flags, and Oversight
Public scrutiny is now mounting over the custody arrangement that allowed Travis Decker to be alone with the girls. While the visitation was court-approved, documents suggest that Decker had previously missed multiple check-ins and had been flagged for mental health evaluations, although no formal restrictions were enforced at the time.
Legal experts are now questioning whether adequate safeguards were in place, particularly given the father’s homelessness and prior instability. Family law attorney Kimberly Reardon told Channel2 NOW:
“In high-conflict custody cases involving minor children, the court has a responsibility to act conservatively. Supervised visitation, mandatory wellness checks, and mental health assessments should be the baseline in such cases.”
Washington state lawmakers have already begun calling for a review of child custody practices and protections following the tragedy, with the state’s Child Welfare Oversight Committee announcing an emergency session next week.
Ongoing Investigation and Call for Public Assistance
Law enforcement is urging anyone who may have seen Travis Decker, especially between Friday evening and Monday afternoon, to come forward. Investigators are particularly interested in sightings of the white GMC Sierra prior to its discovery or any encounters in local parks, campgrounds, or stores.
Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line or through the FBI’s online portal. A $50,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Decker’s arrest.
Victims Remembered
As authorities continue their efforts to bring Travis Decker to justice, the memory of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker stands at the heart of the unfolding tragedy. Teachers, classmates, neighbors, and friends have shared stories and memories of the girls:
- Paityn, 9, was described as “the oldest soul in the room,” a girl who loved animals and once organized a neighborhood food drive for shelter pets.
- Evelyn, 8, was known for her creativity and love of painting. “She brought color into every space she entered,” said her second-grade teacher.
- Olivia, 5, the youngest, was “the family spark,” always singing, always dancing, and always curious about the world.
