Travis Decker Manhunt: Briefing Document

Date: June 30, 2025

Subject: Ongoing Manhunt for Travis Decker, Accused of Triple Murder

Overview: Travis Decker, 32, is the subject of one of Washington state's largest manhunts, accused of the murder and kidnapping of his three daughters: Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5). The girls were found deceased on June 2, 2025, near Decker's abandoned truck in the remote Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington. Decker has been at large for approximately five weeks, and authorities are now considering the possibility that he may have died in the rugged wilderness while evading capture.

Key Facts and Developments:

1. The Crime and Discovery:

• Victims: Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5) Decker.

• Timeline:May 30, 2025: Travis Decker picked up his daughters for a court-approved visitation in Wenatchee. He was expected to return them by 8 p.m. Their mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing at 10 p.m. after repeated failed attempts to contact Travis.

• May 31, 2025: Wenatchee Police issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert.

• June 1, 2025: Decker failed to show up for work, and his boss noted "recent mental health concerns." Law enforcement closed Icicle Road in Leavenworth due to police activity and later canceled the Endangered Missing Person Alert without explanation.

• June 2, 2025: An arrest warrant was issued for Decker for custodial interference. His 2017 GMC truck was found abandoned near Rock Island Campground, along with zip ties and bags. The bodies of his three daughters were subsequently discovered. Authorities believe they died of asphyxiation and there was probable cause to arrest Decker for kidnapping and murder. A vigil for the girls was held, and the Chelan County Sheriff's Office publicly demanded Decker's surrender.

• Crime Scene Evidence: DNA samples recovered from blood on the tailgate of Decker's truck and personal items found at the initial crime scene have been positively identified as belonging to Travis Decker. Undersheriff Dan Ozment stated, "We know, positively, that all of the DNA samples recovered belong to the same, male, subject, who we believe is Mr. Decker. With this evidence, along with the other evidentiary items found at the scene, we do not have any reason to believe there are any other suspects."

2. Travis Decker's Background and Character:

• Military Service: Decker served as an infantryman in the Army from March 2013 to July 2021, including a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. He has training in navigation, survival (SERE), and other skills.

• Failed Ranger Attempts: Despite public photos circulating with a Ranger tab, a former squadmate confirmed Decker "had reportedly been removed from the elite Ranger Regiment after failing to complete Ranger School." Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison echoed this, stating, "He failed out of Ranger School three times... that doesn’t make him elite.”

• Personality: A former Army squadmate described Decker as "quiet, a bit of an outcast, yet a hard worker and somewhat of a narcissist." He often spoke about wanting to follow in his father's footsteps (a Green Beret) and expressed a desire to return to Special Forces, though he never did. The teammate felt "it felt like Decker had something to prove, saying he talked about his dad a lot— he worshiped him."

• Recent Behavior and Mental Health:Decker's ex-wife, Whitney Decker, told investigators he was "quieter than usual” on the day he picked up the girls, which was “out of character” for him.

• Whitney had noted in a September 2024 court filing that his "mental health issues had worsened and that he had become increasingly unstable."

• Decker was facing significant financial and housing difficulties, including garnished wages for back child support and unstable housing, sometimes living in his RV or at shelters.

• Whitney stated his "children and his dog are the two big positives in his life," but he had considered rehoming his husky due to his housing situation.

• After the murder accusations, Decker deleted nearly all his social media posts, photos, and videos, and unfollowed most former comrades.

3. The Manhunt - Scope and Challenges:

• Magnitude: The manhunt for Travis Decker is "one of the largest in Washington state history," involving a wide array of agencies including the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, King County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, US Marshals, Homeland Security, Coast Guard, National Guard, U.S. Forest Service, and Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue (CCVSAR).

• Terrain: The search is primarily focused on the rugged wilderness of Chelan and Kittitas counties, including the Cascade Mountains, Alpine Lakes area, Ingalls drainage, Teanaway Trail area, Blewett Pass, and areas near the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). This terrain is challenging, with abandoned buildings, unoccupied vacation homes, caves, and former mines that could provide shelter.

• Resources Deployed:K9 units (including human remains detection dogs) and experienced trackers.

• Drone teams flying search patterns over land and water.

• Washington State Patrol (WSP) providing air support with Cessnas equipped with high-powered infrared cameras.

• National Park Service planning to deploy swift water search and rescue teams.

• Consideration of a "predator drone from the Feds to fly over this area,' looking at the same technology that was tracking down Osama Bin Laden and other international individuals that are of high interest to our country." (Sheriff Morrison)

• Public Involvement: Authorities are "relying on tips from the public to help find him," urging vigilance, especially from those with cabins or properties in remote areas, and asking residents to check surveillance or game cameras. Tips must be firsthand information, not rumors or social media postings.

• Rewards: The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading directly to Decker's arrest.

• Controversy: The decision by law enforcement not to issue an Amber Alert at the time the girls were reported missing has drawn some controversy.

4. Current Status of the Search:

• No Concrete Leads (Dead or Alive): As of late June, authorities have "no evidence to suggest whether Decker is dead or alive." The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office stated, "There is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area. Seemingly strong early leads gave way to less convincing proofs over the last two weeks of searching."

• Shift in Tactics: Resources are being "shifted to focus on finding Decker's remains 'if he died in the rugged wilderness during this intense search — a possibility that increases every day.'" (Kittitas County Sheriff's Office)

• Continued Determination: Despite frustrations, Sheriff Morrison remains determined: "We can't and won't quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice." He emphasized, "We want to find closure for the family, we want to be their voice and make sure Travis is held accountable, and given his opportunity in court."

5. Public Safety Concerns:

• Decker "should be considered dangerous" and possibly armed.

• The public is advised "not to approach him, and should call 911 immediately" if he is seen.

• Residents in remote areas are asked to "lock all their doors and outbuildings, and leave outside lights on."

• Hikers in areas near the search zone, particularly the PCT, are advised to be "careful and vigilant" as "if he’s in a need of resources hikers would become a potential target."

Conclusion:

The tragic deaths of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker have sparked an intensive, multi-agency manhunt for their father, Travis Decker, that has now extended for over a month across Washington's rugged terrain. While DNA evidence firmly links Decker to the crime scene, his whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities are now openly acknowledging the increasing possibility of his death in the wilderness. The search continues with unwavering determination, driven by the need for justice for the victims and closure for their grieving mother, Whitney Decker. Public vigilance and tips remain crucial to resolving this complex and emotionally charged case.

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