Nearly four months after a Washington man disappeared during a weekend custody visit that ended with the deaths of his three daughters, investigators say they may have found his remains. Deputies reported discovering human remains in a remote wooded area near Leavenworth, close to where Travis Decker was last seen. Personal items were nearby, but DNA testing will confirm the identity.
Three Daughters Killed
Decker took his daughters—5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 9-year-old Paityn—on a Memorial Day weekend camping trip and never returned them. Days later, authorities found the girls dead with plastic bags over their heads and their wrists zip-tied. Autopsies showed they suffocated, and the deaths were ruled homicides.
Manhunt and Disappearance
Decker’s truck was found near the girls’ bodies with two bloody handprints on the tailgate, but he was missing. An army veteran with survivalist skills, Decker was believed to be hiding in the Cascade wilderness. Weeks later, officials shifted efforts to locating his remains, citing a growing likelihood of his death.
Mental Health Concerns
According to court records, Decker was required to undergo mental health treatment and domestic violence counseling but had not complied. His ex-wife, Whitney, said he was homeless and struggling with mental health issues, though he had previously been reliable about returning the children.
Calls for Amber Alert Reform
Whitney Decker has urged changes to the AMBER Alert system. Local police requested an alert the Friday before the girls were found, but Washington State Patrol said the case did not meet federal criteria. A different alert was issued the next day. In late June, Whitney remembered her daughters, saying, “They were incredible. I truly hope that the legacy of the girls’ lives lives in everyone’s heart.”
For more on this horrific case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.