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On Tuesday, a crowd of over 300 people gathered in memory of Olivia, Evelyn, and Paityn Decker, three sisters found deceased after a visit with their father. He is currently missing.
WENATCHEE, Wash. — The tragic deaths of three sisters drew more than 300 individuals to Memorial Park in Wenatchee on Tuesday, where they gathered to honor the memory of the girls, who were discovered near Leavenworth on June 2.
Paityn, aged 9; Evelyn, aged 8; and their youngest sister Olivia Decker, aged 5, were reported missing over the previous weekend after their father, Travis Decker, did not return them following a scheduled visitation. The sisters’ bodies were located near Leavenworth, and authorities stated on Tuesday that Travis Decker remains unaccounted for.
Dozens of children attended the candlelight vigil, many of whom played sports with or participated in other activities with the girls.
“She was really nice. She was a really good dancer. I really think she was a really good friend,” said 8-year-old Lilly Jones, who participated in dance with Evelyn Decker. “I really miss her and I just think it was too early.”
Lilly’s mother, Missy Jones, said she attended college with the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker.
“We met in college and lost touch for many years and reconnected last fall or our girls.,” Missy Jones told KING 5. “Those girls were her whole world. She did everything for them.”
Tuesday’s vigil was led by local pastors, who offered prayer and guidance on grief.
“What’s in front of our valley is something I wish we could fast forward through,” one of them told the crowd. “Though we lack the words to bring comfort, what we don’t lack is a sense of community.”
Despite officially ending around 6:30 p.m., people visited the vigil and growing memorial for several hours.
“Obviously it’s hard. I’ve been really proud of the girls being really supportive of each other and giving each other hugs and talking about their memories of their friends,” said Missy Jones. “We’re going to remember her forever, right? Her and her sisters.”
She added that the dance team has vowed to compete in memory of their fallen teammate.
“Remember what we talked about? We’re going to dance even harder,” Ms. Jones said, before being interrupted by Lilly.
