Briefing Document: The Manhunt for Travis Decker

Overview

This briefing summarizes the ongoing, multi-agency manhunt for Travis Decker, 32, who is the primary suspect in the murders of his three young daughters—Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5)—in Kittitas and Chelan Counties, Washington. The bodies of the girls were found on June 2, 2025, near the Rock Island campground west of Leavenworth, after Decker failed to return them to their mother following a scheduled custody visit on May 30. Authorities believe the girls died from asphyxiation. The search for Decker, who possesses extensive survival skills and a military background, has entered its fourth week, with law enforcement acknowledging the possibility that he may have died in the rugged backcountry.

Key Themes and Facts

The Crime and Victims

• Discovery of Bodies: The bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker were found on June 2, 2025, near the Rock Island campground west of Leavenworth, after being reported missing on May 30. "Travis Decker, 32, is charged with three counts of murder and kidnapping in the girls' deaths." (KING 5 News)

• Cause of Death: The girls' cause of death was determined to be "suffocation, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide." (Newsweek) Court documents further specify that "the girls were found with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties on their wrists." (Columbia Basin Herald)

• Mother's Statement: The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, spoke publicly for the first time at a memorial, describing her daughters' "greatest gift as their ability to connect through warm, open hearts." (KING 5 News)

The Suspect: Travis Decker

• Identity and Charges: Travis Decker, 32, is the father of the three deceased girls and has been charged with three counts of murder and kidnapping.

• Military Background and Survival Skills: Decker is a "former soldier with extensive survival skills." (CBS News) He served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from March 2013 to July 2021, including a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. (CBS News, Reddit) He earned "expert infantry and parachutist" badges, indicating training in physical assessment, land navigation, weapon qualification, a 12-mile march with a 35-pound load, first aid, camouflage, map reading, and communications, as well as completing five parachute jumps. (KIRO 7 News) He transferred to the Walla Walla National Guard in 2021 and holds the rank of Sergeant (E5), though he "has not been to drill for approximately a year" and "Paperwork for an 'administration separation' was started, but hasn’t been completed." (KIRO 7 News) He is "capable of surviving off the grid for months." (FOX 13 Seattle)

• Mental Health Concerns: Whitney Decker, his ex-wife, filed a petition in September 2024 to modify their parenting plan, stating that "Decker had worsening mental health issues and was becoming increasingly unstable." (CBS News) She sought to restrict overnight visits until he found stable housing, as he was "often living out of his truck." (CBS News) Online discussions mention his struggles with PTSD and borderline personality disorder, though the latter is not confirmed by publicly available information. (Reddit)

• Altered Appearance: The Chelan County Sheriff's Office released new images showing how Travis Decker "could have modified his appearance," including "with a shaved head and no facial hair," "with a shaved head and thick mustache," and "with shoulder-length hair, wearing a baseball cap." (CBS News, Columbia Basin Herald)

• Considered Dangerous: Authorities state that "Decker remains a danger to the public as long as he’s at large." (KING 5 News) He is considered "armed and dangerous," though it's "unknown if he is armed" (Chelan County Sheriff's Office, FOX 13 Seattle).

The Manhunt and Challenges

• Lead Agencies: The search for Decker is a "multi-agency" effort. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office initially led the "in-depth investigation into the death of three children" while coordinating with others. (Chelan County Sheriff's Office) The U.S. Marshals Service has now "assum[ed] the lead role in the search for Mr. Decker," conducting "in depth investigations, interviews, assessments, and deploying specialized personnel." (Chelan County Sheriff's Office, CBS News)

• Involved Agencies: Numerous agencies are assisting, including the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, the National Guard (providing air assets, surveillance, and personnel transport), the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit, and the King County Sheriff's Office. (CBS News, Chelan County Sheriff's Office, FOX 13 Seattle)

• Resources Deployed: The search has involved "dozens of agencies and organizations, hundreds of people, and thousands of hours." (Newsweek) Resources include "numerous resources on the ground and in the air," including "helicopters operating in remote terrain," and a "swift water rescue team" to comb Icicle Creek. (CBS News, Newsweek, FOX 13 Seattle)

• Geographic Focus: The search has concentrated on the rugged wilderness of Kittitas and Chelan counties, specifically near the Rock Island campground and Icicle Creek. Authorities have asked residents in remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas, King, Snohomish, and Okanogan counties to secure their properties. (FOX 13 Seattle)

• Possibility of Death: After four weeks, law enforcement has acknowledged the increasing possibility that Decker may have died in the backcountry. "There is 'no certain evidence' Travis Decker is alive or in Washington," and some resources are being "redirected" to "locate and recover Decker 'if he died in the rugged wilderness during this intense search — a possibility that increases every day.'" (KING 5 News, CBS News)

• Frustration and Determination: Law enforcement expressed the difficulty and emotional toll of the case. "They want to catch this guy, probably more than anybody they've chased in recent memory. It has to be frustrating to not be able to do that, to not know where he is or what's happened to him," said Urquhart (KING 5 News). Despite this, "We can't and won't quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice." (KING 5 News, Newsweek)

• Public Information and Reward: A reward of up to "$20,000 for information leading directly to Travis DECKER’s arrest" is being offered by the U.S. Marshals Service. (Chelan County Sheriff's Office, FOX 13 Seattle) The public is urged to call 911 immediately if they see Decker and "do not attempt to contact or approach him." (Chelan County Sheriff's Office)

Related Issues and Public Discourse

• Custody System Scrutiny: The case has "put a spotlight on the complexity of family court cases and Decker’s declining mental health." (Columbia Basin Herald) Some public commentary on Reddit questions why he had custody given his reported mental health issues and instability.

• Amber Alert Protocol: An Amber Alert was not issued for the missing girls because "the case didn't meet the required criteria." Instead, an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) was issued, which has a more limited public notification. (Reddit)

• Misinformation: There have been false social media reports, including a "TikTok video that was released, which portrays Sheriff [Mike] Morrison and claims Mr. Decker has been taken into custody after a long standoff." The Chelan County Sheriff's Office clarified, "Mr. Decker is not in custody and CCSO had no part in making the video." (Columbia Basin Herald)

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