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A Washington dad presumed of fatally suffocating his 3 little women has an extensive military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has actually learned - as authorities warned the general public not to approach him during their ongoing manhunt.
Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of killing his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were discovered at a campground in Leavenworth, after he stopped working to return them to their mom in Wenatchee following a set up three-hour see.
As authorities search for Decker, who is thought to be mentally unsteady, they warned residents that he could be hazardous due to his military background.
Decker signed up with the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before moving to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, interactions director for the the Washington Military Department, verified to the Daily Mail.
He was a full-time member of the Guard up until 2023 or 2024, when he changed to part-time.
Decker stopped participating in mandatory month-to-month drills a little over a year back, and the Guard was in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge.
He likely has advanced fight training and was an air-borne paratrooper who made the elite rank of 'Ranger,' showing he would have exceptional wilderness and survival abilities, Fox 13 Seattle reported, pointing out social networks posts.
It is unidentified if the veteran is presently armed, but local police cautioned people from approaching him.
Travis Decker, 32, is accused of killing his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he failed to return them back to their mom following a set up three-hour check out in Washington on Friday
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the ladies' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck at a camping site. Police believe the women died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said
'Due to safety concerns do not try to contact or approach Decker,' cops stated.
'This is an absolute catastrophe,' the military spokesperson told AP. 'We are grieving together with the neighborhood.'
Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday evening after discovering Decker's truck.
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from the truck. Police believe the women passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files said.
Decker's truck likewise had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual items consisting of blankets, food, cars and truck seats and a wallet on the center console.
The campground also revealed indications of current activity, with a tent and a cooler located a brief range away, however Decker was nowhere to be found.
The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, who is separated from the veteran, told cops that he had actually picked the girls up around 5pm however had actually not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court files said.
Detectives said she 'revealed issue due to the fact that Decker reportedly has actually never done this before and ... is currently experiencing some mental health concerns.'
The ladies' bodies were found around 38 miles from their mother's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities warn locals that he might be hazardous due to his basic training
Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual items including blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console
She also informed police authorities that Decker was diagnosed with borderline character condition and thinks he did not take medication for the condition, according to court files.
The father-of-three was expected to look for mental health treatment and anger management therapy as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no indication he has followed through with the strategy - which he refused to sign, the court documents reveal.
Still, Whitney told police she did not believe her ex was dangerous and said he enjoyed his children.
She stated the ladies had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never ever failed to return the girls before, according to an authorities affidavit.
She stated when Decker went to get the women for a scheduled three-hour check out on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' which was 'out of character' for him.
He had actually also apparently been talking about eliminating his pet dog due to housing and monetary battles.
When Decker stopped working to return with the women that night, Whitney reported them missing out on.
'What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the girls and had actually not interacted to her that he was going to be late, which was his normal style therefore this ran out the normal,' Captain Brian Chance said.
Decker signed up with the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped attending necessary month-to-month drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard remained in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge
Washington State Patrol was gotten in touch with Friday night to ask for an Amber Alert, however it did not satisfy the needed requirements, Wenatchee Police said.
The lacking requirements was suspected kidnapping and impending hazard of death or serious injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.
'In this case, it was a parent with custodial advantages, and the children had actually not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical incident and not something where you just instantly assume abduction,' he said.
He added that there was no indicator Decker would damage them.
'We're people too, you understand, so the loss of a kid, the loss of two kids, the loss of 3 kids is ... ravaging,' Loftis stated. 'Everybody constantly wants to how we can enhance.'
The following day, Wenatchee investigators contacted the patrol with extra details that resulted in the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).
State cops later on dropped the EMPA on Monday night without launching a public reason. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department revealed the ladies' deaths.
Whitney likewise stated in September divorce proceedings that he had been 'struggling to preserve stability' because they separated and it was starting to affect their children.
The girls' mother said that sometimes he would have the women sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, regardless of her objections
The girls' mother stated they had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had actually never ever failed to return the ladies before
Whitney stated when Decker went to get the women for a scheduled three-hour check out on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' which was 'out of character' for him
When Decker stopped working to return with the girls that night, Whitney reported them missing out on
She stated that at times he would have the ladies sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, regardless of her objections, according to the Seattle Times.
She likewise stated Decker was susceptible to 'outbursts' and would enter her home yelling for the ladies, whom he would sometimes stop working to pick up after promising to do so.
In one instance, Whitney composed that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her crying throughout a check out with Decker and stated she could not her dad - before Evelyn came home with welts between her legs.
'I do not wish to keep Travis from the girls at all,' Whitney wrote in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over in reverse to facilitate that relationship.
'But I can not have our girls staying in what is basically a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with lots of odd guys or remaining in a camping tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperatures and unidentified locations for their safety.'
The ladies' maternal granny similarly wrote that Decker would drop off the women at irregular times and they would sometimes be upset or weeping when they returned home.
'They are all pleased, wise, well-adjusted women with the exception of when Travis brings them back to me after his visitations,' she composed, according to the Seattle Times.
On Tuesday, a judge released a warrant for Decker's arrest and ordered he be held without bail.
Whitney also mentioned in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'struggling to keep stability' because they were separated and it was starting to impact their daughters
Whitney told authorities she did not believe her ex was unsafe and said he liked his children
Police is asking the general public for aid to find the father-of-three, however advised locals not to approach him
Decker is explained as 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes.
He is charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up for Whitney had actually raised nearly $366,000 since Wednesday morning.
'These ladies held true light in this world and it is a darker place without them. I will miss out on seeing their sweet little faces,' a note on the fundraising page read.
'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and assistance. Take a while to today to inform somebody you like them.'
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Sinister Military Record of 'killer' Dad Wanted For Murdering Girls
Estelle Kirkhope edited this page 2025-08-20 07:02:22 +03:00