Editor’s Note: This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing.
WENATCHEE, Wash. (WFRV) – Three sisters under the age of 10 were found dead in Washington on Monday, and a manhunt is underway for their father, a Wisconsin native.
According to the Wenatchee Police Department, officers responded to a civil complaint at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, May 30. The mother of three young girls reported that her daughters were not returned following a scheduled visitation with their father.
The girls—ages 9, 8, and 5—were last seen with their father, identified as 32-year-old Travis Decker of the Wenatchee area. According to WFRV’s CBS affiliate in Milwaukee, Decker previously lived in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
Officers began searching for Decker and the children immediately. Decker was believed to be living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup truck with Washington license plate D20165C. Local motels in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee were checked without success. The vehicle’s information was entered into the local Flock camera database, which showed the truck had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30.
An AMBER Alert request was initially denied by the Washington State Patrol, but an Endangered Missing Person Alert was issued the next day after police provided additional information.
Over the weekend, Wenatchee Police worked with local law enforcement and the FBI to investigate possible locations in Chelan County. By June 2, the search had narrowed to an area between Icicle Road and Chumstick Road near Leavenworth. That same day, an arrest warrant was issued for Decker on three counts of first-degree custodial interference.
(Wenatchee Police Department)
(Wenatchee Police Department)
At approximately 3:45 p.m. Monday, a Chelan County deputy located Decker’s vehicle near the Rock Island Campground off Icicle Road. The truck was unoccupied.
While searching the area, authorities found the bodies of the three missing girls. According to the criminal complaint, each was found with a plastic bag over their head, and their wrists were zip-tied. Decker was not located.
Authorities say that the preliminary examination suggests the likely cause of death for the three children was affixation.
A SWAT team and Washington State Patrol’s Crime Scene Response Team responded to assist in processing the scene and searching for Decker.
As of now, Decker remains at large. He is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Police say Decker is a former military member with extensive training. It is unknown whether he is currently armed, but authorities warn he may pose a significant threat if approached.
Anyone who has seen Decker since May 30 or knows his whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.
