Authorities are sharing more information surrounding Travis Decker’s case.
Approximately two months following the discovery of the daughters – Paityn (9 years old), Evelyn (8 years old), and Olivia (5 years old) – of him and his ex-wife Whitney Decker at a campground in Leavenworth, Washington, police have found matching DNA evidence between the father and the plastic bags used to end their lives. Autopsy reports from the Medical Examiner confirmed that their deaths were due to suffocation.
According to a statement from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office on August 19, shared via Facebook, two victims had two individual bags covering their heads each, while the third victim had three separate bags. Nearby, some cable ties were found. These plastic bags and cable ties were picked up that night by the Washington State Patrol Crime Response Team.
Following the submission of this evidence for DNA examination, authorities expressed their conviction that Travis, who is sought for first-degree charges related to murder and kidnapping, appears to be the sole individual implicated in the commission of these killings.
On August 6, 2025, I discovered some startling findings while working at the Washington State Crime Lab. I uncovered DNA traces that matched Travis Decker on every single one of the plastic bags covering his daughters’ heads. The investigation further revealed the presence of DNA matching Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker on those very same bags as well. Remarkably, no other DNA profiles were detected on these plastic bags.
As a diligent observer, I’d like to share some findings from the police department about the cable ties discovered at the crime scene. They mentioned that one DNA profile was extracted from the collected cable ties, which coincidentally matched the DNA profile of Travis Decker. Remarkably, no other DNA profiles were found on those cable ties.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) stated on their Facebook post dated July 1 that there is currently no proof indicating whether Mr. Decker is alive or dead. Until he is found or arrested, they will persist with the search efforts. The CCSO expresses great appreciation for the ongoing guidance, commitment, and assistance from all involved search teams.
On the 2nd of June, the bodies of the girls were found near their father’s truck at a campground in Leavenworth, Washington. A press release from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office on July 9th stated that the cause of death was suffocation and the manner of death was determined to be homicide.
Based on Decker’s questionable web browsing about moving to Canada and fresh DNA findings from the crime scene that match those of a single male individual, as stated by CCSO, the authorities feel confident they are not seeking any other potential suspects.
Keep reading for more about the case.
The Sheriff’s department, who earlier characterized Travis, aged 32, as an expert in wilderness survival and someone who can survive for extended periods, possibly even weeks, alone in the wilderness with minimal gear, also affirmed that they are still searching for him diligently, given he is a former army veteran.
The location of Travis Decker is currently untraceable, as no proof has surfaced indicating whether he’s living or passed away at present.
Read on for every detail you need to know about the hunt for Travis Decker.
Travis Decker is facing accusations for three counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree kidnapping, following the alleged murders of his daughters Paityn (age 9), Evelyn (age 8), and Olivia (age 5).
It was disclosed that Travis, who had children with his former spouse Whitney Decker, was thought to be residing in a 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck, different motels, and local campsites.
As a lifestyle expert looking back on my own journey, I must share that my military past has been marked with battles beyond the battlefield – mental health challenges. Yet, these struggles were not obstacles to spending precious moments with my daughters. In a 2024 temporary parenting plan, I was legally mandated to partake in an anger management program and individual therapy sessions at least every two weeks. This was crucial for my growth as a father and a person, ensuring a healthier and happier life for all involved.
According to the arrangement, Travis receives visitation rights every second weekend, during which he is meant to bring his daughters to his ex-wife at 8 p.m. on Fridays, 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 5 p.m. on Sundays. This schedule repeats for their weekends together.
On May 30, as per an affidavit filed on June 3 in Chelan County Superior Court, Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were last spotted when they were picked up by Travis from Whitney’s home, which was part of a scheduled visitation.
As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but delve into the intriguing details uncovered in those documents. According to them, Whitney claimed that the interaction transpired smoothly, yet Travis, whom she mentioned was battling mental health struggles, appeared unusually silent, a departure from his typical vibrant self.
When Travis didn’t bring the girls back by 8 p.m., Whitney made several attempts to reach out to her ex. Eventually, she felt compelled to call the police.
On May 31, the Wenatchee Police Department announced they were looking for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia. Unfortunately, by June 3, the department confirmed that the three daughters of Travis and Whitney were discovered deceased at the Rock Island Campground, near an abandoned car belonging to Travis. This vehicle was found with two blood-stained handprints.
The medical examiner in Chelan County determined that the girls died from asphyxiation, which is classified as a homicide.
The findings from autopsies conducted by the Chelan County Medical Examiner revealed that the girls’ deaths were caused by suffocation and classified as homicides.
According to a statement made by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office in August, each of the three victims was found with multiple plastic bags covering their heads: two victims had two bags each, while the third victim had three. Furthermore, the scene surrounding the bodies also included several cut cable ties on the ground.
Upon examination, the Washington State Crime Lab discovered that DNA profiles similar to Travis’ appeared on both the plastic bags and cable ties. This discovery has led investigators to strongly suspect that Travis might be the sole individual implicated in these homicides.
Officials from local authorities, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the Washington Army National Guard are currently searching for Travis, who went missing in the forest close to Rock Island campground as reported by Chelan County officials. Even though the search efforts persist, the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release on June 23 that there is no solid proof indicating that Decker is still alive or within this vicinity.
Initially promising leads appeared less solid over the past two weeks of investigation, but we’re not giving up. The Decker family – Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia – deserve justice, and as long as Decker remains on the loose, he poses a threat to the public.
As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but share my excitement and concern! While the authorities haven’t found Decker yet, as they stated in August, rest assured they’re tirelessly searching for him. My heart is with them every step of the way!
Whitney publicly paid a heartfelt homage to her daughters, acknowledging that they were born with compassionate souls and open minds.
At the June 20 memorial service, she addressed the crowd, expressing, “Each of you looks lovely, I’m sure Evy would have admired your outfits and exclaimed her delight over them.” She further added that Paityn would have praised “every single one of you… She was always generous with compliments, whether it was in a store, at school, or just with me.
Whitney frequently checked in with her daughters after her divorce with Travis, asking them about the three feelings they experienced daily.
As a die-hard fan, let me tell you, Paityn couldn’t contain herself, always overflowing with tales from her day, eagerly sharing every passing moment with me. She’d even interrupt her sisters just to keep me in the loop! For Ev, however, our late-night chats were a safe space for her emotions. She wasn’t quite ready to open up to her sisters about her feelings, so we found solace in our one-on-one conversations before she drifted off to sleep.
While they continued to figure out the best way to express her emotions, it was clear that Olivia was always a source of happiness for her.
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office shared that they are shifting their strategy.
In a press release on June 23rd, the office stated they’re simultaneously pursuing the hunt for the fugitive and attempting to locate Travis’ remains, should he have perished in the wilderness. Additionally, they mentioned that the US Marshals have shifted their resources towards finding Decker, if he has left our jurisdiction.
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2025-08-20 00:17