A Washington mother is grieving the unimaginable loss of her three daughters after what was supposed to be a short, supervised visit with their father turned into a nightmare.
Travis Decker, a 32-year-old Army veteran, is accused of killing his daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5—after failing to return them on May 30. At first, their mother Whitney thought he was just late. But as hours passed and his phone went silent, fear set in.
Days later, the girls’ bodies were found near a remote campground in Wenatchee, alongside Decker’s abandoned truck. The scene was horrifying—zip ties, plastic bags, and signs of premeditated violence. What was meant to be a routine visit ended in unthinkable tragedy.
Decker is now wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping. Authorities believe he may have gone off-grid, using his military survival training to disappear. He had a history of untreated mental illness and had refused therapy tied to a parenting agreement.
“I never thought he’d do this,” Whitney said through tears. “His mind wasn’t well, but he loved them.”
As police continue the search, the community has rallied around Whitney. A fundraiser has raised more than $330,000 to help cover burial costs and time off work.
Three little girls—bright, joyful, and deeply loved—are gone. And a heartbroken mother is left clinging to their memory, praying for justice.