The killings of three young sisters at a remote Washington campground have set off one of the most intense manhunts in the Pacific Northwest in recent years. Nearly three months after their deaths, their father, Travis Caleb Decker, remains a fugitive. The FBI and multiple agencies have now returned to the site of the murders, hoping the ground itself may still hold the answers to where Decker has gone.
A Custody Visit That Turned Deadly
On May 30, 2025, Decker collected his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 2, for a court-approved custody visit. He was expected to return them by 8 p.m. that evening, but when he failed to show, their mother reported them missing. Two days later, a search team discovered Decker’s truck in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Nearby, the bodies of the three sisters were found, concealed under brush, with signs of asphyxiation.
Clues Left Behind
Inside Decker’s abandoned truck lay his wallet and cellphone, personal items investigators believe were intentionally discarded. His dog was also found roaming unharmed in the area. Cable ties and plastic bags discovered near the bodies pointed to a deliberate, chilling act. DNA testing later confirmed only the presence of Decker and his daughters, deepening suspicion that no outside party was involved.
The Expanding Investigation
The FBI has closed Rock Island Campground through late August as agents revisit the crime scene. Their search spans a four-mile radius and involves an extensive network of federal and state agencies, including Homeland Security, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Marshals Service. A $20,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to Decker’s arrest, as the manhunt stretches into its third month without a confirmed sighting.
A Fugitive with Tactical Training
Decker, 32, is a former military member with survival skills that could enable him to live off the land for weeks or months. Authorities suspect he may have fled toward Canada, citing internet searches found before his disappearance. Although several alleged sightings have been reported, each has proven false, leaving investigators with few leads and a growing fear that Decker’s familiarity with wilderness tactics may keep him ahead of the search.
A Family Torn Apart
Court records reveal that Decker’s marriage ended in 2023, when his wife sought sole custody citing concerns about his mental health. Despite that, he was granted scheduled visitation rights with their daughters. For the girls’ mother, the tragedy marks the collapse of every safeguard that was meant to protect them. As federal agents continue their hunt, the case stands as a devastating reminder of how quickly a custody dispute can spiral into unthinkable violence.
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