Authorities are searching for a Washington state father of 3 dead girls
Share this @internewscast.com

A man in central Washington state is wanted on suspicion of murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead.

On Tuesday, authorities appealed to the public for assistance in locating Travis Decker, 32, who is sought for three murder charges and kidnapping, according to police in Wenatchee, which is roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Seattle.

Police said it was unknown whether Decker, a former Army soldier with “extensive training,” was armed.

On Friday the mother of the girls, ages 9, 8 and 5, reported that their father did not return them after a planned visit, police said.

Over the weekend, authorities searched for Decker and the children, with the belief that he was residing in a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup bearing Washington plates.

Police reported that Decker’s unoccupied vehicle was discovered on Monday near a campground to the west of Leavenworth, situated approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Wenatchee. During their search, officers discovered the bodies of the girls.

Anyone who may have seen Decker since Friday or knows his current location was asked to call 911.

“Due to safety concerns do not attempt to contact or approach Decker,” police said.

The Wenatchee School District said the girls were students of Lincoln Elementary. Counseling services were available, and the district asked people to respect the privacy of students, staff members and families and come to the campus only for regular school business.

The mother told police that Decker picked the girls up around 5 p.m. but had not returned them by 8 p.m., and his phone went straight to voicemail, according to a probable cause affidavit written by a Wenatchee police detective, The Seattle Times reported.

The detective said she “expressed concern because Decker reportedly has never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues.”

“What prompted her to call us was that … he was late returning the girls and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical fashion and so this was out of the ordinary,” Capt. Brian Chance said.

Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an Amber Alert, but it did not meet the required criteria, Wenatchee police said. The following day Wanatchee detectives contacted the patrol with additional information that led to the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert.

The lacking criteria was suspected abduction and imminent peril of death or serious injury, said Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

“In this case, it was a parent with custodial privileges, and the children had not been returned home on time. But that’s a rather common occurrence and not something where you just automatically assume abduction,” he said, adding that there was no indication Decker, a custodial parent who had the children for a visit, would harm them.

“We’re people too, you know, so the loss of a child, the loss of two children, the loss of three children is … devastating,” Loftis said. “Everybody always looks to how we can improve.”

The alert systems are constantly evolving and this could prompt further change, Loftis said: “Obviously it didn’t work this time. Obviously we have three children that are dead.”

Decker and the girls’ mother are divorced, Chance said. He did not have details on how the girls were killed or on Decker’s employment.

Decker joined the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Washington Military Department spokesperson Karina Shagren told The Associated Press. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time.

Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge for him, Shagren said.

“This is an absolute tragedy,” Shagren said. “We are mourning along with the community.”

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, which found the truck, was leading the search in the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest area while other teams followed up on “potential credible information and tips” regarding Decker’s location, the agency said in a statement.

The agency was working with U.S. Marshals to locate and apprehend Decker. A reward of up to $20,000 was available for information leading directly to his arrest.

___

Associated Press writer Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, contributed.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Philadelphia's schools accused of failing to properly inspect asbestos in buildings

Philadelphia Schools Allegedly Negligent in Asbestos Inspections

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — On Thursday, federal prosecutors accused Philadelphia’s public school system…
English soccer player throws chair at woman on vacation in stunning incident

English Footballer Allegedly Hurls Chair at Woman During Vacation Shocker

Third division soccer player Kian Harratt attempted to shift the blame to…
Senate parliamentarian scraps GOP's Medicaid reforms in 'big beautiful bill'

Senate Parliamentarian Rejects GOP’s Medicaid Overhauls in Major Legislative Proposal

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Republicans were met with a new hurdle in…
Anna Wintour to step down from Vogue leadership role

Anna Wintour to resign from her leadership position at Vogue

The announcement of her nearly 40-year tenure ending shocked many in the…
Ask Anthony: Legal twist costs St. Johns Co. woman her license for 3 years

Ask Anthony: Legal Complication Causes St. Johns Co. Woman to Lose License for 3 Years

A Georgia misdemeanor led to a St. Johns County mother losing her…
Illegal immigrant accused of peeping on girl as 4 other criminal immigrants caught living with suspect

Undocumented Immigrant Charged with Spying on Girl; Four Others Arrested Living with Him

Ohio authorities have arrested and charged an illegal immigrant from Mexico after…
Iran intensifies internal security crackdown after US, Israel strikes

Iran steps up domestic security measures following attacks by US and Israel

Iranians are facing significant internal unrest as the authorities have ramped up…
Chicago crime: Burglars break into vehicles parked along lakefront in Uptown, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, police warn

Chicago Crime Alert: Thieves Target Cars Parked Along Lakefront in Uptown, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview, Police State

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police have issued a warning for anyone driving…
Immigration officer charged with taking bribes to help immigrants obtain legal status

Immigration Officer Accused of Accepting Bribes to Aid Immigrants in Getting Legal Status

A federal immigration officer was recently detained after allegations emerged of offering…
ABC7 Chicago Chief Legal Analyst Gil Soffer describes harrowing journey home from Israel after being stranded during Iran strikes

ABC7 Chicago’s Legal Analyst Gil Soffer Recounts Challenging Return from Israel Amidst Iran Strikes

CHICAGO (WLS) — ABC7 audiences are familiar with former federal prosecutor Gil…
Flames erupting from an airplane in flight.

Dramatic Event as Fire Breaks Out on American Airlines Flight with 153 Passengers, Pilot Shares Alarming Update

AN American Airlines flight had to return to the airport after smoke…
Closing arguments set to begin in Diddy's criminal trial

Final Arguments to Start in Diddy’s Criminal Case

Editor’s Note: This article includes discussions about rape or sexual assault that…