A Washington father suspected of fatally suffocating his three little girls has a substantial military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has discovered - as authorities cautioned the public not to approach him throughout their ongoing manhunt.
Travis Decker, 32, is accused of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were discovered at a camping site in Leavenworth, after he failed to return them to their mom in Wenatchee following a set up three-hour go to.
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As authorities look for Decker, who is believed to be mentally unstable, they cautioned locals that he might be hazardous due to his military background.
Decker joined the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, communications director for the the Washington Military Department, validated to the Daily Mail.
He was a full-time member of the Guard till 2023 or 2024, when he changed to part-time.
Decker stopped going to necessary month-to-month drills a little over a year back, and the Guard remained in the process of a disciplinary discharge.
He likely has actually advanced battle training and was an airborne paratrooper who made the elite rank of 'Ranger,' suggesting he would have exceptional wilderness and survival abilities, Fox 13 Seattle reported, citing social media posts.
It is unidentified if the veteran is currently armed, however regional law enforcement cautioned individuals from approaching him.
Travis Decker, 32, is accused of killing his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he failed to return them back to their mother following a scheduled three-hour see in Washington on Friday
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 lawns from Decker's truck at a camping area. Police believe the ladies died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, said
'Due to safety issues do not try to call or approach Decker,' police stated.
'This is an absolute tragedy,' the military spokesperson informed AP. 'We are grieving along with the community.'
Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday night after finding Decker's truck.
Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the women' bodies about 75 to 100 lawns from the truck. Police believe the women passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said.
Decker's truck likewise had two bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual items including blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console.
The campground likewise revealed signs of recent activity, with a tent and a cooler located a brief distance away, but Decker was no place to be found.
The ladies' mom, Whitney Decker, who is separated from the veteran, informed cops that he had actually picked the ladies up around 5pm however had actually not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court files said.
Detectives said she 'expressed concern since Decker reportedly has actually never ever done this before and ... is currently experiencing some psychological health concerns.'
The girls' bodies were discovered approximately 38 miles from their mother's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities caution residents that he might be hazardous due to his basic training
Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal products including blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console
She likewise told law enforcement officials that Decker was diagnosed with borderline personality condition and believes he did not take medication for the condition, according to court documents.
The father-of-three was supposed to look for mental health treatment and anger management therapy as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no indication he has followed through with the plan - which he declined to sign, the court files show.
Still, Whitney told authorities she did not believe her ex threatened and said he enjoyed his daughters.
She said the girls had a 'excellent relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had never stopped working to return the women before, according to an authorities affidavit.
She stated when Decker went to get the girls for a set up three-hour visit on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' which was 'out of character' for him.
He had likewise apparently been discussing eliminating his dog due to housing and financial battles.
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 typical fashion and so this was out of the common,' Captain Brian Chance stated.
Decker joined the Army in 2013 and moved to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard up until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped going to compulsory monthly drills a little over a year earlier, and the Guard remained in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge
Washington State Patrol was gotten in touch with Friday night to ask for an Amber Alert, but it did not meet the required requirements, Wenatchee Police stated.
The doing not have requirements was presumed abduction and impending danger of death or major injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.
'In this case, it was a parent with custodial privileges, and the children had not been returned home on time. But that's a rather common occurrence and not something where you simply instantly presume kidnapping,' he said.
He added that there was no indication Decker would damage them.
'We're individuals too, you know, so the loss of a child, the loss of 2 children, the loss of 3 kids is ... ravaging,' Loftis said. 'Everybody always wants to how we can enhance.'
The following day, Wenatchee detectives contacted the patrol with extra information that resulted in the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).
State police later on dropped the EMPA on Monday evening without releasing a public reason. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department revealed the ladies' deaths.
Whitney also specified in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'struggling to maintain stability' since they separated and it was starting to affect their daughters.
The women' mother said that sometimes he would have the ladies sleep at an armory while he remained in the National Guard, regardless of her objections
The women' mom said they had a 'great relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never failed to return the ladies before
Whitney said when Decker went to get the women for a set up three-hour visit on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' which was 'out of character' for him
When Decker failed to return with the women that night, Whitney reported them missing
She stated that sometimes he would have the ladies sleep at an armory while he remained in the National Guard, regardless of her objections, according to the Seattle Times.
She likewise stated Decker was prone to 'outbursts' and would come into her house screaming for the ladies, whom he would in some cases stop working to choose up after assuring to do so.
In one instance, Whitney composed that her youngest child, Olivia, called her sobbing throughout a go to with Decker and stated she might not find her dad - before Evelyn got home with welts in between her legs.
'I do not wish to keep Travis from the women at all,' Whitney wrote 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, sometimes unsupervised, with dozens of weird males or remaining in a camping tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperature levels and unknown areas for their security.'
The ladies' maternal grandma similarly wrote that Decker would drop off the ladies at inconsistent times and they would sometimes be upset or crying when they returned home.
'They are all happy, wise, well-adjusted girls 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 bought he be held without bail.
Whitney likewise specified in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'having a hard time to keep stability' considering that they were separated and it was beginning to impact their daughters
Whitney informed cops she did not believe her ex was hazardous and said he enjoyed his daughters
Law enforcement is asking the public for assistance to discover the father-of-three, however recommended residents not to approach him
Decker is described as 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes.
He is charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe established for Whitney had actually raised almost $366,000 since Wednesday early morning.
'These women were true light in this world and it is a darker place without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces,' a note on the fundraising page read.
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'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and assistance. Take a while to today to inform someone you enjoy them.'
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Sinister Military Record of 'killer' Dad Wanted For Murdering Girls
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