Travis Decker: The Tragic Case of a Father and His Three Daughters

They Never Came Home

Three sisters went on a routine custody visit with their father and never returned. What followed became one of the most devastating family tragedies in recent Washington state history.

A Routine Visit That Turned Into a Nightmare

At the end of May 2025, a custody visit that should have ended with three young girls returning home instead triggered a statewide missing persons alert and a desperate search.

Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker left home expecting a short visit with their father. When the girls did not come back that evening, concern quickly turned into fear. Within hours, law enforcement was notified. Within days, a community would be left grieving.

The Girls at the Center of the Story

Paityn Decker was nine years old. Evelyn was eight. Olivia was five.

They were sisters who shared classrooms, sports, and everyday childhood moments. Family and friends described them as close, energetic, and deeply bonded to one another. Their lives revolved around school, activities, and being together.

Following their parents’ separation, the girls lived primarily with their mother. Their schedule followed court approved custody arrangements, something many families navigate every day without incident. Nothing about the plan for the end of May suggested it would end in tragedy.

The Custody Visit

On May 30, 2025, the girls were picked up for a scheduled visit with their father, Travis Decker. The visit was expected to last only a few hours. The girls were supposed to be returned that same evening.

When the agreed upon time passed and there was no sign of them, their mother tried calling and sending messages. There was no response. As the night went on, concern escalated. By the end of the evening, law enforcement was contacted.

Reported Missing

An Endangered Missing Person Alert was issued across Washington state. The alert included photos of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia and identified their father as the last person seen with them.

Authorities began focusing their search in and around the Wenatchee area, where Decker had known ties and where his vehicle had reportedly been seen. What began as a missing persons case quickly carried a sense of urgency. Every passing hour mattered.

Background on Their Father

Travis Decker was a United States Army veteran and a member of the Washington National Guard. In the months leading up to the disappearance, reports indicated instability in his personal life. He had reportedly been living out of his vehicle at times and staying at campgrounds or motels.

People familiar with the situation later acknowledged concerns about his mental and emotional well being. Despite those concerns, there were no legal barriers in place to prevent the visitation from occurring. Like many custody arrangements, the situation existed in a gray area where warning signs are often only fully recognized after something goes wrong.

The Search Intensifies

Law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions joined the search. Ground teams, aerial units, and volunteers combed wooded areas, trails, and campgrounds. Tips from the public poured in as residents across the region followed developments closely.

As days passed without any sign of the girls, hope began to fade. Authorities continued to state that locating the children safely remained the top priority, but the tone of the investigation began to shift.

Discovery Near the Campground

Several days after the girls were reported missing, deputies located Decker’s abandoned truck near a remote campground.

Nearby, investigators made the discovery the community had feared. The bodies of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were found close together. Authorities later confirmed that the girls had been killed and that the deaths were homicides.

From that moment on, the case was no longer about finding missing children. It became a search for a suspect accused of killing his own daughters.

Charges Filed

Prosecutors charged Travis Decker with three counts of first degree murder and three counts of first degree kidnapping. At the time the charges were filed, he was not in custody.

Authorities warned the public that Decker had military training and survival skills. They urged anyone who believed they had seen him not to approach and to contact law enforcement immediately.

The Manhunt

The search for Decker expanded beyond the original area. State and federal agencies joined the effort, including specialized teams trained to search rugged terrain. Trails were closed, and residents were asked to remain vigilant.

For weeks, reported sightings were investigated, but Decker was not located.

Discovery of His Remains

Months later, human remains were discovered in a remote wooded area. DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to Travis Decker.

Due to the condition of the remains, authorities stated that an autopsy could not determine the cause or exact time of death. With that confirmation, the legal case came to an end, but many questions remained unanswered.

Impact on the Community

The deaths of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia devastated their family and sent shockwaves through the community. Vigils were held in their memory. Memorials appeared. Donations poured in to support their mother as she faced an unimaginable loss.

For many, the case raised difficult questions about custody arrangements, warning signs, and the limits of intervention. It forced a public reckoning with how easily a routine situation can turn catastrophic.

Why This Case Matters

This case is not remembered because of the manhunt or the criminal charges. It matters because three children lost their lives during a visit that should have been safe.

It highlights the difficult balance courts face when weighing parental rights against child safety. It underscores how instability and warning signs can fall through the cracks of existing systems.

Most of all, it reminds us that behind every headline are real children whose lives were cut short.

Remembering the Girls. Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia Decker

Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were more than victims in a criminal case. They were sisters who loved each other, daughters who were deeply loved, and children who deserved the chance to grow up.

This story should never be told for shock value. It should be remembered so their names are not lost, and so the circumstances that led to their deaths are not ignored.

They deserve to be remembered for who they were, not only for how they died.