Briefing Document: The Travis Decker Case

Date: June 9, 2025

Subject: Review of Available Information Regarding the Disappearance and Deaths of the Decker Sisters and Manhunt for Travis Decker

Sources: KIRO 7 News Seattle, PEOPLE, Dominick Bonny Reports, Domestic Shelters, King 5 News, FOX 13 Seattle, Chelan County Clerk Court Documents.

Summary:

This briefing document synthesizes information from multiple news sources and court documents regarding the tragic case of the Decker sisters and the ongoing manhunt for their father, Travis Decker. Travis Decker is accused of the kidnapping and murder of his three young daughters: Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5). The girls were found deceased near a campground in Chelan County, Washington, days after a scheduled visitation with their father from which they were not returned. Travis Decker remains at large and is considered dangerous. The investigation is ongoing, involving multiple law enforcement agencies and the public is urged to report any sightings.

Key Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

• Tragic Deaths and Method: The three young girls, Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker, were found deceased on June 2, 2025, near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington. Autopsy results released on June 9, 2025, determined the cause of death was suffocation and the manner of death was homicide. The Domestic Shelters article further notes the girls were found with "plastic bags over their heads and zip-ties around their wrists."

• Quote: "The cause of death was determined to be suffocation and the manner of death was determined to be homicide," [PEOPLE]

• Quote: "The girls’ bodies were found around 3 p.m. Monday near Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash. with plastic bags over their heads and zip-ties around their wrists." [Domestic Shelters]

• Accused Perpetrator and Ongoing Manhunt: Travis Decker, the girls' 32-year-old father, is the primary suspect and is currently wanted on charges of three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping [KIRO 7, Google searches]. He also faces a federal charge of Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution [KIRO 7, Google searches]. A state arrest warrant with nationwide extradition authority was issued on June 3, 2025 [KIRO 7, Google searches]. Law enforcement agencies at local, state, and federal levels, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, are involved in the extensive manhunt [Domestic Shelters, FOX 13 Seattle, Washington governor activates National Guard]. A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to his capture [FOX 13 Seattle, BBC]. He is considered dangerous and the public is advised not to approach him [FOX 13 Seattle, BBC, King 5 News].

• Quote: "Police are still looking for a Washington man they believe murdered his three young daughters one week ago. Travis Decker, 32, is wanted on kidnapping and first-degree murder charges for killing his daughters..." [BBC]

• Quote: "A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Travis Caleb Decker, the man accused of kidnapping and killing his three young daughters near Leavenworth, Washington, after authorities say he fled the area and may be attempting to escape prosecution." [KIRO 7, Google searches]

• Quote: "He has been said to 'pose a significant risk, if approached'." [BBC]

• Decker's Military Background and Survival Skills: Travis Decker is a former military member, serving in the Army from 2013 to 2021, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2014 [Washington governor activates National Guard]. He was an infantryman and an automatic rifleman with the 75th Ranger Regiment [Washington governor activates National Guard]. Authorities emphasize his extensive training in wilderness survival, long-distance movement, navigation, and off-the-grid living [KIRO 7, Google searches, BBC, King 5 News]. Investigators note that he once lived off the land in remote terrain for over two months [KIRO 7, Google searches, BBC]. This training is believed to be aiding his ability to evade capture in the mountainous and wooded search area [BBC, King 5 News].

• Quote: "Court documents reveal that Decker, a former military member and avid outdoorsman, may have used his extensive knowledge of wilderness survival to evade capture." [KIRO 7, Google searches]

• Quote: "Investigators also noted that Decker once lived off the land in remote terrain for more than two months." [KIRO 7, Google searches]

• Potential Flight Risk and Planning: Court documents indicate that days before the girls were reported missing, on May 26, 2025, Decker conducted Google searches for phrases such as "how does a person move to canada," "how to relocate to canada," "jobs canada," and "jobs canada" [KIRO 7, Google searches]. He also visited the official Canadian job website. The affidavit suggests he may have been planning to flee the country [KIRO 7, Google searches]. The location where the girls' remains were found is less than a dozen miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends to the Canadian border [KIRO 7, Google searches].

• Quote: "According to the affidavit, Decker conducted a series of Google searches on May 26, 2025 — just days before the girls were reported missing — that included phrases like 'how does a person move to canada', 'how to relocate to canada', 'jobs canada' and 'jobs canada'." [KIRO 7, Google searches]

• Custody Dispute and Red Flags: Travis and Whitney Decker were divorced, and a revised parenting plan was implemented in September 2024 [Domestic Shelters, Dominick Bonny Reports]. Whitney had concerns about Travis's ability to parent safely and proposed changes to the plan, citing his struggles and a "negative impact on the children" [Domestic Shelters]. Court documents indicate that Travis had borderline personality disorder and was experiencing mental health issues [Dominick Bonny Reports, KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]. Whitney's attorney, Arianna Cozart, stated that Travis was not complying with court orders to obtain a psychiatric evaluation and mental health treatment, and was refusing to take medication for his borderline personality disorder [Dominick Bonny Reports].

• Quote: "Whitney claims that her ex-husband... struggled to 'maintain stability in his life' leading to a 'negative impact on the children'." [Domestic Shelters]

• Quote: "Decker was in violation of orders implemented by Chelan County Superior Court, had borderline personality disorder and was experiencing mental health issues when he picked up his daughters, docs say." [Dominick Bonny Reports]

• Quote: "In court documents, she stated that “Travis just keeps getting more and more unstable.”" [Domestic Shelters]

• Lack of Amber Alert and Criticisms: An Amber Alert was not initially issued when the girls were reported missing because, according to the Washington State Patrol, there was no initial evidence to believe the children were at risk of serious bodily injury or death, as Decker had custodial visitation rights [Dominick Bonny Reports]. In hindsight, authorities acknowledged this was not the case [Dominick Bonny Reports]. The girls' mother and advocates have since called for reforms to Amber Alert criteria [Washington governor activates National Guard].

• Quote: "According to an affidavit of probable cause... [police] provided the facts of the case to screen for an Amber Alert, but based on the fact that there was no evidence to believe the children were at risk of serious bodily injury or death it did not qualify," [Dominick Bonny Reports]

• Quote: "Obviously, in hindsight, that was not the case.” [Dominick Bonny Reports]

• Mental Health and Veteran Support: The case highlights concerns about Travis Decker's mental health struggles, including borderline personality disorder and Complex PTSD, which reportedly worsened after his Army tour in Afghanistan [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls, Dominick Bonny Reports]. His former attorney, Arianna Cozart, suggested that the tragedy would not have occurred if his mental health had been adequately supported, citing issues with veteran's resources being "crumbling" due to lack of staffing and funding [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]. Whitney Decker is reportedly considering using her voice to advocate for veterans' mental health benefits [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls].

• Quote: “If Travis would’ve been supported and his mental health struggles of course he never would’ve murdered his babies,” [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]

• Quote: “I know Whitney believes that these children would not be dead if our government military veterans would’ve been supported,” [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]

• Community Impact and Search Efforts: The tragedy has deeply impacted the rural communities of North Central Washington [Dominick Bonny Reports]. The search for Decker has led to the closure of national forests and hiking trails, including sections of the Pacific Crest Trail [BBC, Washington governor activates National Guard]. Residents in the search area are urged to remain vigilant, lock doors, and report any suspicious activity [King 5 News, Washington governor activates National Guard]. Over 500 tips have been received from the public [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls, Washington governor activates National Guard]. The Washington National Guard has been activated to provide resources, including helicopter transportation, to aid in the search [Washington governor activates National Guard].

• Quote: "Upon hearing of these heinous crimes the breath is snatched from your lungs... We are stunned by the horror." [Dominick Bonny Reports]

• Quote: "Authorities have urged cabin owners and residents along Icicle Road to lock their doors, keep lights on at night, and remain alert." [King 5 News]

• Whitney Decker's Perspective and Advocacy: While currently not speaking publicly, Whitney Decker has shared photos and videos showing Travis's seemingly positive relationship with his daughters prior to the incident, including a Father's Day gift video she made [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]. Her attorney has conveyed her shock and her belief that the tragedy was preventable with adequate mental health support for Travis [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]. A GoFundMe campaign to support Whitney with expenses and legal costs has raised over $1 million [PEOPLE, FOX 13 Seattle].

• Quote: "Whitney Decker even gave us a photo compilation turned into a video. She told her attorney she made the video as a Father’s Day gift for Travis prior to this year." [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]

• Quote: "Cozart tells us in time, she will, saying she has already mentioned using her voice and story to advocate for veterans’ mental health benefits so that this never happens to anyone else." [KIRO 7, Decker's relationship with his girls]

Conclusion:

The case of the Decker sisters is a profound tragedy with significant implications for issues surrounding domestic dynamics, mental health, veteran support, and public safety. The ongoing manhunt for Travis Decker highlights the challenges of locating an individual with extensive survival training in difficult terrain. The case also raises important questions about risk assessment in custody disputes and the criteria for issuing Amber Alerts. Law enforcement agencies continue to urge public vigilance and cooperation in locating Travis Decker.