The search for Travis Decker, a 33-year-old wanted for the murder of his three daughters, has taken a dark twist in Washington state. The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office now believes Decker, who vanished after a custody visit with Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, may have died in the wilderness near Rock Island Campground, where the girls were found dead (Kittitas County Sheriff).
The tragedy unfolded when Whitney Decker, the girls’ mother, reported them missing on May 30. Days later, a Chelan County deputy discovered the girls’ bodies at the campground in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, with plastic bags over their heads and hands bound by zip ties (). Authorities suspect Decker killed his daughters before fleeing into the forest, launching a massive search that’s stretched over weeks.
On June 24, the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook that after thousands of hours of effort, early leads have weakened, leading to a theory that Decker may no longer be alive (Fox13 Seattle). Some search teams are now focusing on recovering his body in the rugged wilderness, while the U.S. Marshals Service investigates whether he escaped the area (). Despite this, the sheriff’s office remains committed, saying Decker is a public threat and the girls deserve justice.
The public is urged to stay watchful, with the sheriff asking anyone—hikers, locals, or cabin owners—to report suspicious findings to 509-925-8534. Deputies are determined to find Decker, dead or alive, and are relying on community tips, like a hiker spotting overlooked evidence or a resident noticing something unusual.
At a memorial, Whitney Decker spoke movingly of her incredible daughters, hoping their memory lives on. The search for answers continues, driven by a community and sheriff’s office united in seeking justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, whose tragic loss has left a lasting impact.
