The hunt for Travis Decker, a 33-year-old man suspected of killing his three daughters, has gripped Washington’s Kittitas County, where authorities now suspect he may have perished in the wilderness. The devastating case began when Decker disappeared after a custody visit with Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, leaving a community in mourning and a sheriff’s office determined to find answers (Kittitas County Sheriff).
On May 30, the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing. Days later, their bodies were found at Rock Island Campground in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, with plastic bags over their heads and hands zip-tied, a chilling discovery by a Chelan County deputy (). Authorities believe Decker took his daughters’ lives before vanishing into the forest, sparking an intense manhunt that’s lasted weeks.
In a Facebook update on June 24, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office shared that after thousands of hours of searching, they’re considering that Decker may no longer be alive (Fox13 Seattle). Early leads have faded, and some resources are now focused on recovering his body in the rugged terrain, while the U.S. Marshals Service checks if he left the area (). The sheriff stressed that the search won’t stop, as Decker remains a danger and justice is owed to the girls.
The sheriff’s office called on the public to help, asking anyone in the area—hikers, cabin owners, or residents—to report anything suspicious to 509-925-8534. Deputies, who’ve poured their hearts into the case, are counting on community vigilance to uncover clues, whether it’s a hiker spotting something odd or a local noticing something out of place.
Whitney Decker, the girls’ mother, paid a heartfelt tribute at a memorial, calling her daughters incredible and hoping their legacy endures. This tragedy has shaken the community, but the ongoing search shows a shared commitment to finding answers and ensuring justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia, whose lives were cut tragically short.