Travis Decker Manhunt: Briefing Document

Date: June 24, 2025

Subject: Ongoing Manhunt for Travis Caleb Decker, Suspect in Triple Homicide of His Daughters

Summary: Travis Caleb Decker, 32, is the subject of an extensive multi-agency manhunt after being charged with the kidnapping and murder of his three young daughters: Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5). The girls' bodies were discovered on June 2, 2025, at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Washington, having been asphyxiated with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties on their wrists. Decker, an Army and Washington National Guard veteran with extensive military and wilderness survival training, disappeared after the bodies were found. Authorities believe he may be attempting to evade capture by utilizing his survival skills or fleeing to Canada, based on his recent Google search history. The search, now in its fourth week, involves numerous local and federal agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service (lead agency), FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, Washington National Guard, and various sheriff's offices. While there is no definitive proof Decker is still alive, authorities are continuing the search and are considering deploying a cadaver dog. A $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest.

Key Themes and Most Important Ideas/Facts:

1. The Crime and Victims:

• Victims: Travis Decker's three young daughters: Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5).

• Discovery: Their bodies were found on June 2, 2025, at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, near Decker's abandoned 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck.

• Cause of Death: The girls were asphyxiated, found with "plastic bags over their heads and zip ties on their wrists."

• Circumstances: The girls were reported missing on May 30 after Decker failed to return them to their mother following a court-ordered visitation. This was a "planned visitation" and a "first" for Travis not returning them.

• Motive (Implicit/Contextual): Court documents reveal Decker's "declining mental health before his three daughters were found dead." His ex-wife's attorney stated she "feels like the system really let Travis down. If somebody would have provided Travis with the help that he needed, those girls would be alive."

2. The Suspect: Travis Caleb Decker

• Age and Description: 32 years old, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with black hair (ponytail style) and brown eyes. Last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. Authorities have released images of how he "may have altered appearance," including renderings with a baseball cap and without facial hair.

• Military and Survival Training: Decker is an "Army veteran" and "infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021," including a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2014 and service as an "automatic rifleman with the 75th Ranger Regiment." He has "extensive tactical training," "extensive military training," and is a "military-trained survivalist." He is "trained in long-distance movement, navigation, and off-the-grid living," and once lived "off the land in remote terrain for more than two months."

• Mental Health Issues: Court documents highlight Decker's "declining mental health." His ex-wife claimed he had "neglected his parental duties" and had a "long-term emotional or physical problem that gets in the way of his ability to parent." She stated he was diagnosed with "borderline personality disorder" and "does not take medications for" it. He was court-ordered to seek "mental health treatment and anger management counseling" and undergo a "full psychiatric evaluation," but had not complied.

• Living Situation: Decker was "homeless and alternating between living out of his car and at nearby campsites," or motels.

• Charges: He is charged with "Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution" (federal), "three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping" (state).

• Danger Level: Authorities consider him "armed and dangerous" and warn the public "not to personally confront the suspect, but rather to call police and report their sightings." However, Sheriff Morrison noted that while they consider him dangerous, they "do not currently have evidence to suggest he is armed."

3. The Manhunt and Search Efforts:

• Definition of Manhunt: An "extensive and thorough search for a wanted and dangerous fugitive involving the use of police units, technology, and help from the public."

• Timeline: The search began over three weeks ago, with the girls reported missing May 30 and found June 2. The manhunt entered its "fourth week" by June 24.

• Agencies Involved: A wide array of local, state, and federal agencies are assisting:

• Lead Agency: U.S. Marshals Service.

• Other Key Agencies: FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, Washington National Guard, Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, King County Sheriff's Office, Spokane Police Department, U.S. Forest Service, Homeland Security Investigations, National Parks Service.

• Search Area and Strategy: The search initially focused on the wilderness near Leavenworth, where his vehicle and the girls' bodies were found. This area is "less than a dozen miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches to the Canadian border." The search focuses on "Teenaway Valley, Liberty, Lauderdale and Blewett Pass," and the "hiking area of Ingalls Creek and Valley High." Authorities are transitioning to a "longer-term strategy," involving "National Guard air support" and "drone support."

• Potential Escape Routes/Intent: Decker's Google searches on May 26, 2025, included phrases like "'how does a person move to canada', 'how to relocate to canada', 'jobs canada'," and he "visited the official Canadian job website, suggesting he may have been planning to flee the country." His wilderness survival skills and proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail indicate he "may have headed into remote terrain with the intention of escaping law enforcement." Unconfirmed reports have placed him "as far as Texas, Canada and England."

• Status of Decker: While the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office stated on June 24 that "there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area," Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison maintains, "Until I find him one way or the other — we're hoping alive — we're going to presume that he is alive and that he's actively trying to flee from us."

• New Leads and Resources: Authorities are investigating "several new leads" and plan to "deploy a cadaver dog this week." "FBI behavior analysts have developed a psychological profile of Decker."

• Public Involvement: The public is urged to "report any confirmed sightings to authorities immediately" by calling 911 or the CCSO tip line (509-667-6845). They are advised not to engage with Decker. Citizens are also encouraged to "keep track of items at their house" and check "video cameras" as Decker may be "taking small items out of coolers, out of residences, also breaking into vacation homes, grocery stores."

• Reward: A $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to Decker's arrest.

• Misinformation: A "fake" TikTok video circulated portraying Decker as being in custody after a standoff, which authorities debunked, stating, "To be clear, Mr. Decker is not in custody and CCSO had no part in making the video."

4. Emotional and Community Impact:

• Community Trauma: Sheriff Morrison noted the "profound impact of the tragedy on the Wenatchee community," stating, "I think anyone who says it wouldn't affect them would be almost heartless."

• Law Enforcement Toll: Deputies involved in the case have been offered "mental health support" and "peer support and CISM support."

• Mother's Statement: The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, stated, "I truly hope that the legacy of the girls’ lives lives on in everyone’s heart forever... They were incredible." She also advocates for improvements to the "Amber Alert System and the mental health resources for veterans."

• Desire for Accountability: Sheriff Morrison emphasized, "What we're seeing here and the actions that were taken, those are not acceptable. They're not justifiable... I do want him to be held accountable."

• Public Sentiment and Sympathy: Morrison addressed public sentiment that might feel "sorry for Travis Decker," acknowledging "rumors of him dealing with PTSD and other mental health struggles," but reiterating that these "do not justify the alleged actions."

Current Status: The manhunt continues with significant resources, with authorities committed to finding Decker, whether alive or deceased, to bring closure and justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. The emphasis is on public vigilance and reporting confirmed sightings.

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