A Washington daddy suspected of fatally suffocating his three little ladies has an extensive military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has discovered - as police warned the public not to approach him during their ongoing manhunt.
Travis Decker, 32, is accused of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were found at a campground in Leavenworth, after he stopped working to return them to their mom in Wenatchee following an arranged three-hour see.
As authorities look for Decker, who is believed to be mentally unstable, they cautioned residents that he could be unsafe due to his military background.
Decker signed up with the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before moving to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, communications director for the the Washington Military Department, confirmed to the Daily Mail.
He was a full-time member of the Guard up until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time.
Decker stopped participating in necessary month-to-month drills a little over a year earlier, and the Guard was in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge.
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He likely has advanced fight training and was an air-borne paratrooper who made the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have exceptional wilderness and survival abilities, Fox 13 Seattle reported, pointing out social networks posts.
It is unidentified if the veteran is presently equipped, but local law enforcement warned individuals from approaching him.
Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of eliminating his children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he stopped working to return them back to their mother following a scheduled three-hour see in Washington on Friday
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the ladies' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck at a campground. Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files stated
'Due to safety issues do not try to call or approach Decker,' police stated.
'This is an outright disaster,' the military spokesperson told AP. 'We are mourning in addition to the community.'
Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday night after discovering Decker's truck.
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the women' bodies about 75 to 100 backyards from the truck. Police believe the women passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents stated.
Decker's truck likewise had two bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual products including blankets, food, automobile seats and a wallet on the center console.
The camping area likewise showed indications of current activity, with a tent and a cooler located a brief range away, however Decker was nowhere to be found.
The women' mother, Whitney Decker, who is separated from the veteran, informed cops that he had actually chosen the girls up around 5pm however had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went directly to voicemail, court documents said.
Detectives said she 'revealed issue because Decker apparently has never done this before and ... is currently experiencing some mental health concerns.'
The women' bodies were discovered around 38 miles from their mom's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities alert residents that he could be dangerous due to his military training
Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal items consisting of blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console
She likewise told law enforcement officials that Decker was identified with borderline character condition and thinks he did not take medication for the condition, according to court documents.
The father-of-three was expected to seek psychological health treatment and anger management counseling as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no indication he has actually followed through with the strategy - which he refused to sign, the court documents reveal.
Still, Whitney informed cops she did not believe her ex was unsafe and said he loved his daughters.
She stated the girls had a 'excellent relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had actually never stopped working to return the women before, according to an authorities affidavit.
She stated when Decker went to pick up the women for a scheduled three-hour check out on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him.
He had actually likewise apparently been speaking about eliminating his canine due to housing and monetary struggles.
When Decker failed to return with the girls that night, Whitney reported them missing.
'What triggered her to call us was that ... he was late returning the women and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his common style therefore this ran out the common,' Captain Brian Chance stated.
Decker signed up with the Army in 2013 and moved to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard till 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped participating in necessary regular monthly drills a little over a year back, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge
Washington State Patrol was gotten in touch with Friday night to ask for an Amber Alert, but it did not satisfy the required requirements, Wenatchee Police said.
The lacking requirements was suspected kidnapping and imminent hazard of death or serious injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.
'In this case, it was a moms and dad with custodial advantages, and the children had actually not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical occurrence and not something where you simply automatically presume kidnapping,' he stated.
He included that there was no sign Decker would harm them.
'We're people too, you know, so the loss of a child, the loss of two children, the loss of 3 children is ... ravaging,' Loftis said. 'Everybody constantly aims to how we can enhance.'
The following day, Wenatchee investigators called the patrol with extra info that resulted in the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).
State cops later on dropped the EMPA on Monday night without releasing a public factor. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department revealed the ladies' deaths.
Whitney also specified in September divorce proceedings that he had actually been 'struggling to maintain stability' given that they separated and it was beginning to affect their children.
The girls' mom said that at times he would have the girls sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, in spite of her objections
The ladies' mom stated they had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never ever failed to return the girls before
Whitney stated when Decker went to pick up the girls for a scheduled three-hour check out on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' which was 'out of character' for him
When working to return with the women that night, Whitney reported them missing out on
She stated that sometimes he would have the girls sleep at an armory while he remained in the National Guard, in spite of her objections, according to the Seattle Times.
She also stated Decker was susceptible to 'outbursts' and would come into her house shouting for the ladies, whom he would sometimes stop working to get after assuring to do so.
In one instance, Whitney composed that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her sobbing throughout a see with Decker and stated she could not find her daddy - before Evelyn got back with welts in between her legs.
'I do not wish to keep Travis from the ladies at all,' Whitney composed in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over backwards to facilitate that relationship.
'But I can not have our girls remaining in what is basically a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with dozens of odd guys or remaining in a camping tent or living in his truck with him, both in extreme temperature levels and unidentified locations for their security.'
The ladies' maternal granny likewise wrote that Decker would drop off the ladies at inconsistent times and they would in some cases be upset or sobbing when they returned home.
'They are all happy, smart, well-adjusted women with the exception of when Travis brings them back to me after his visitations,' she composed, according to the Seattle Times.
On Tuesday, a judge released a warrant for Decker's arrest and ordered he be held without bail.
Whitney also stated in September divorce procedures that he had been 'having a hard time to maintain stability' because they were separated and it was beginning to affect their children
Whitney informed cops she did not believe her ex threatened and said he liked his daughters
Police is asking the public for help to find the father-of-three, but encouraged residents not to approach him
Decker is described as 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, with black hair used in a ponytail and brown eyes.
He is charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up for Whitney had raised nearly $366,000 since Wednesday early morning.
'These women held true light in this world and it is a darker location without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces,' a note on the fundraising page read.
'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take a while to today to inform somebody you like them.'
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Sinister Military Record of 'killer' Dad Wanted For Murdering Girls
crystle31p8895 edited this page 2025-06-22 11:28:07 +08:00