Crime
Father Travis Decker Wanted for Murder After Bodies of 3 Sisters Were Found at Washington Campground
WENATCHEE, WA — A heartbreaking search for three missing sisters in Washington has ended in tragedy after authorities confirmed that the bodies of 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker were discovered near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County on Monday.
The girls’ father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, is now wanted on multiple felony charges, including three counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree kidnapping.
According to the Wenatchee Police Department, the children were last seen around 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, when they left for a scheduled court-approved visitation with their father.
When Decker failed to comply with the agreed-upon parameters of the visitation, concerns quickly escalated, prompting authorities to issue an Endangered Missing Persons Alert.
Travis Decker, described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 190 pounds, with black hair (often worn in a ponytail) and brown eyes, is believed to be homeless and was reportedly living in a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck with Washington license plate D20165C.
That vehicle was located unoccupied around 3:00 p.m. Monday near the Rock Island Campground. Shortly after, responding officers discovered the bodies of the three girls at the scene.
Police have not released details on the manner of death, but confirmed that Decker was not present when the vehicle was found.
A manhunt is now underway, with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies actively searching for the suspect.
Authorities emphasized that Decker is a former military service member with extensive training and may pose a significant danger to the public.
It is currently unknown if he is armed, and officials are urging the public not to approach him.
Anyone who sees him or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” the Wenatchee Police Department said in a statement. “We want to express our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. Our focus now is to locate the suspect and bring justice for the victims.”
The Endangered Missing Persons Alert for the girls was formally canceled late Monday following the discovery of their bodies.
Prior to the grim discovery, the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, had issued a public plea expressing deep concern for her daughters’ safety. “I just want the girls back home safe and sound,” she said.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement urges anyone who may have seen Travis Decker, or has relevant information about his movements or possible whereabouts, to come forward.
This remains an active and evolving investigation.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.