Authorities in Washington state have released a chilling new theory in the ongoing manhunt for 33-year-old Travis Decker, the father of three young girls found dead shortly after a scheduled custody visit.
Decker has been missing since late May, following a visitation with his daughters—Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 5. Their mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing on May 30. Days later, the children were tragically discovered at the Rock Island Campground in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
According to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy found the three girls deceased with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied.
On Tuesday, June 24, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office issued a significant update, suggesting that Decker may have taken his own life in the remote wilderness near the campground.
“At this time, there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area,” the department shared on Facebook. “Seemingly strong early leads gave way to less convincing proofs over the last two weeks of searching.”
They added that some search teams are now shifting focus from capture to potential recovery efforts, operating under the possibility that Decker may have died in the rugged terrain during the intense manhunt. Nonetheless, law enforcement stresses that the search is far from over.
“Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice,” the statement said. “And Decker remains a danger to the public as long as he’s at large. We are still asking for and will continue to investigate leads and tips from the public.”
The U.S. Marshals Service has joined the effort, deploying its fugitive-tracking resources in case Decker managed to leave the area.
“The KCSO deputies and detectives who’ve been searching for three weeks want nothing more than to bring Travis Decker to justice,” the agency said. “Public awareness remains our strongest tool—whether from a cabin owner noticing something unusual, or a hiker who stumbles on missed evidence.”
Officials continue to urge the public to report any suspicious activity or information by contacting Kittcom at 509-925-8534.
As the search continues, a memorial service was held for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. Their mother, Whitney Decker, paid tribute to her daughters, describing them as “incredible” and expressing hope that “the legacy of the girls’ lives lives on in everyone’s heart forever.”
