The Decker Sisters Tragedy and Pursuit of Justice

Why was an Amber Alert not issued for the Decker sisters, and what was the initial police response?

An Amber Alert was not issued for the Decker sisters initially because, at the time, their father, Travis Decker, had court-ordered custodial rights, and there was no immediate indication the children were in imminent danger according to the criteria for an Amber Alert. Instead, an endangered missing person alert was issued on May 31, 2025. The girls were reported missing on May 30, 2025, after Travis failed to return them to their mother from a scheduled custody visit. Police checks of local motels yielded no results, and vehicle tracking indicated Travis had traveled westbound from Wenatchee on Highway 2.

What were the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the Decker sisters' bodies?

The bodies of Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5) Decker were discovered on June 2, 2025, on U.S. Forest Service land near Icicle River Road in Leavenworth, Washington. This discovery occurred after Travis Decker's unoccupied white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck was located near the Rock Island Campground, which is accessed by Icicle Road. An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was suffocation and the manner of death was homicide.

What charges does Travis Decker face, and what is known about his background and current whereabouts?

Travis Decker, 32, is charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping at the state level, in addition to an existing charge of custodial interference. A federal arrest warrant has also been issued for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution, as authorities believe he fled the area and may be attempting to escape. Decker is a former military member, specifically an airborne paratrooper who earned his elite 'Ranger' tab, indicating advanced infantry combat training and wilderness evasion/survival skills. He was also reportedly qualified as an instructor at the US Army’s National Guard Warrior Training Center. As of late June 2025, Travis Decker remains at large, with authorities shifting part of the manhunt to a recovery effort while maintaining that he may still be alive and actively eluding capture. His ex-wife stated he was homeless and diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

What evidence suggests Travis Decker may have planned to flee to Canada?

Court documents, specifically an affidavit from a U.S. Marshals Service Deputy, reveal that Travis Decker conducted a series of Google searches on May 26, 2025, just days before the girls were reported missing. These searches included phrases like "how does a person move to canada," "how to relocate to canada," and "jobs canada." He also visited the official Canadian job website, suggesting a plan to flee the country. Investigators noted that 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, further supporting the theory that he may have headed into remote terrain with the intention of escaping law enforcement.

What concerns did the girls' mother, Whitney Decker, raise about Travis Decker's mental health and parenting, and how did the family court respond?

Whitney Decker, the girls' mother, raised significant concerns about Travis Decker's mental health, stating that he was experiencing mental health issues, was homeless, and had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. In a September 2024 parenting plan, Whitney sought to limit Travis's time with their daughters, claiming he had "neglected his parental duties" and had a "long-term emotional or physical problem" affecting his parenting ability. She requested he undergo anger management and domestic violence evaluations, as well as a comprehensive psychiatric assessment. Despite these concerns, Travis was granted visitation rights for three hours on Fridays and eight hours every other weekend, as long as he stayed in Wenatchee Valley. Critics argue that the family court judges "catastrophically failed" by prioritizing Travis Decker's parental rights over child safety, ignoring "overwhelming evidence of danger" and "multiple risk factors for familicide."

What calls for reform have emerged following the tragedy of the Decker sisters' deaths?

The tragedy has sparked renewed and urgent calls for legislative reform in child safety protocols and family court practices. Advocates and state lawmakers gathered to demand immediate changes to Amber Alert criteria and family court procedures, particularly regarding custody cases involving parents with mental health issues or unstable living situations. There is a push for "red flags" in custody proceedings to alert the system to potential dangers. Kathy Sherlock, who lost her daughter in a similar manner, highlighted "Kayden's Law" passed in Pennsylvania, which strengthens child safety protections in custody cases, and Washington lawmakers plan to reintroduce similar legislation that was narrowly defeated in a previous session. Both the Washington State Patrol and the National Amber Alert Program have initiated independent reviews to determine if changes should be made to their protocols.

What is the ongoing status of the search for Travis Decker, and what are the theories about his whereabouts?

The manhunt for Travis Decker has been ongoing for weeks across mountainous terrain, lakes, and rivers near Leavenworth and the Enchantments. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, have taken over active search operations from local deputies, utilizing helicopters and extensive ground searches. While authorities have shifted part of the search to a recovery effort, acknowledging the possibility of his death, some experts, like former Massachusetts state trooper Todd McGhee, believe he is still alive. McGhee points to the absence of cadaver dog alerts as evidence that Decker is likely still on the move, utilizing his military-trained wilderness survival skills to evade capture. The prevailing theory among law enforcement is that he is in remote terrain, possibly attempting to flee to Canada. His ex-wife's lawyer has stated that she believes Travis died by suicide, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.

How has the community responded to the deaths of the Decker sisters and the ongoing search for their father?

The community has responded with widespread grief and support for the Decker family. Friends, family, and community members gathered for a public memorial service at Rocky Reach Park in Wenatchee, where attendees were asked to wear purple, pink, or green in honor of the girls' favorite colors. Their mother, Whitney Decker, spoke publicly for the first time at the memorial, expressing gratitude for the time she had with her daughters. A GoFundMe campaign set up to help Whitney with expenses and legal costs has surpassed $1 million. The tragedy has also galvanized child safety advocates and lawmakers to push for systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.