Washington Dad wanted for murder after 3 missing Daughters found dead in Wenatchee
A quiet town shattered, now, police are hunting a trained veteran father after the tragic discovery of his three young daughters' bodies sparks outrage and heartbreak across Washington.
Three women reported missing were found dead in Wenatchee, California. The women, identified as Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker, ages 9, 8, and 5, were murdered by their father, Travis Decker, who is currently a fugitive from U.S. justice.
According to the Wenatchee Police Department, Chelan County deputies found a white 2017 GMC pickup truck belonging to Decker on June 2. The vehicle was unoccupied and was seen at the Rock Island Campground near Leavenworth, Washington.
Search intensifies for Travis Decker, armed and dangerous veteran wanted in Chelan County
Police continue to search for Travis Decker, a veteran who, according to Wenatchee police, has received special training and may be extremely dangerous if approached. It is not known at this point whether Decker is armed. Police are urging anyone who may have seen him since Friday, May 30, or who knows where he might be, to call 911 immediately. Decker is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Decker was believed to be homeless out of his truck, and police searched a number of hotels in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee over the weekend. Detectives tracked the vehicle west on Highway 2 through the Flock camera system. By Monday, the search had been narrowed to an area in the Leavenworth area, between Icicle and Chumstick roads in Chelan County. A custodial interference arrest warrant for Decker was issued as police focused the search in that area.
Wenatchee mourns loss of three young Decker sisters
Tributes to the three young victims began flooding in on the internet by Tuesday afternoon. The Wenatchee School District named Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker as Lincoln Elementary School students. "This is a just plain heartbreaking day for the Wenatchee School District," Superintendent Kory Kalahar said. "Our hearts are shattered by the confirmed loss. Our priority is entirely on supporting their school and family community." Counseling services were offered to help students and staff cope with the loss.
Three young sisters, aged 9, 8, and 5, have been missing since May 31 following a planned visitation with their father, according to the Wenatchee Police Department. Photo: Washington State Patrol
The girls were also involved in the Short Shakespeareans program at the Music Theatre of Wenatchee. The theatre had this poignant tribute on Facebook: "We are heartbroken at the loss of three of our shining stars. Their creativity, joy, and spirit lit up our stage and our hearts. May their light still shine in every performance we do.
