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() Local, state and federal authorities are searching for Travis Decker, a Washington state man they believe killed his three young daughters.
The sisters ages 5, 8 and 9 were found around 4 p.m. Monday near Decker’s vehicle close to a campground west of Wenatchee, Washington. Their mother had reported them missing on Friday after Decker failed to return them from a planned visitation.
Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation, according to court documents. They were allegedly found with their wrists zip-tied.
Decker, who police said is homeless, is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Travis Decker is a former Army soldier
Decker, 32, joined the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021, according to a spokesperson with the Washington Military Department.
He was a full-time member of the National Guard until he reportedly switched to part-time around 2023 to 2024.
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Image of Travis Decker’s tattoos released by Chelan County Sheriff’s Office -
Three Washington girls who were reported missing last week were found dead Monday, and a search is ongoing for the girls’ father, police announced. The girls were discovered just before 4 p.m. local time, police said, after detectives in Chelan County, Washington, gathered information that led them to search an area around Leavenworth, where they hoped to find the girls and their father, Travis Decker.
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Three Washington girls who were reported missing last week were found dead Monday, and a search is ongoing for the girls’ father, police announced. The girls were discovered just before 4 p.m. local time, police said, after detectives in Chelan County, Washington, gathered information that led them to search an area around Leavenworth, where they hoped to find the girls and their father, Travis Decker.
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Three Washington girls who were reported missing last week were found dead Monday, and a search is ongoing for the girls’ father, police announced. The girls were discovered just before 4 p.m. local time, police said, after detectives in Chelan County, Washington, gathered information that led them to search an area around Leavenworth, where they hoped to find the girls and their father, Travis Decker.
Washington Military Department spokesperson Karina Shagren told the Associated Press that Decker had stopped attending mandatory monthly drills roughly one year ago.
Due to his extensive training, police have warned that Decker is considered dangerous, though they don’t know if he is armed.
Travis Decker could stay in wilderness for months: Dad
Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told Decker’s background could benefit him in the area’s mountainous terrain.
Morrison said Decker’s father told investigators that his son had enjoyed spending time in the wilderness since childhood, sometimes for months at a time, and was known to cache supplies in remote areas.
“If he did set it up beforehand and put supplies out there, it could make it more difficult to track him down,” Morrison said.
Manhunt for Travis Decker continues
Decker is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
“Due to safety concerns do not attempt to contact or approach Decker,” police said.
Anyone who may have seen Decker since Friday or knows his current location was asked to call 911. A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Decker’s arrest.
‘s Jeff Arnold, Damita Menezes, Ashleigh Banfield, Christopher Moloney and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
