Three sisters found dead at campsite after vanishing with their dad

What was supposed to be a routine weekend visit ended in a tragedy that has left an entire community in mourning. Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, just 5 years old, were picked up by their father, Travis Decker, for a court-approved visit. Their mother, Whitney, believed it would be a brief, uneventful exchange. But when hours turned to a full day without contact, her concern quickly spiraled into panic.

By Monday afternoon, the devastating truth emerged. The bodies of the three sisters were discovered near Rock Island Campground, a secluded, wooded area in Wenatchee, Washington. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, was gone without a trace. Authorities launched an immediate manhunt, naming him the primary suspect in what has become a chilling case of betrayal and loss.

Investigators believe that what was meant to be a three-hour visitation turned into a fatal encounter. Decker, a military veteran with a known history of severe mental health struggles, including borderline personality disorder, had stopped taking his medication and had previously refused court-ordered therapy and anger management sessions. Whitney had repeatedly warned authorities about his unstable behavior, citing alarming incidents where the girls were left in unsafe conditions, including sleeping in vehicles and being left with strangers.

Despite her concerns, Whitney never imagined he could be capable of violence. “I didn’t think he was dangerous,” she said through tears. “He struggled, but he loved them.” That belief was shattered when search teams found the girls’ bodies just 75 yards from Decker’s abandoned truck. The scene was horrifying: each child had a plastic bag over her head and wrists bound with zip ties. Inside the truck were car seats, snacks, and blankets — remnants of what might have seemed like a family outing — but also bloodstains and Decker’s wallet, discarded like a grim signature.

With no sign of Decker nearby, authorities began scouring the Cascade Mountains with drones, canine units, and ground teams. An arrest warrant was issued, charging him with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping. Bail was denied.

At a press conference, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison made a public plea. “Travis, if you’re hearing this, turn yourself in. We won’t stop searching.” That same night, over 300 people gathered for a vigil in Memorial Park. Children blew bubbles into the fading light while handwritten notes were taped to tables — many scribbled by little hands, expressing grief and confusion no child should ever have to feel.

Whitney, now enduring the unthinkable loss of all three of her daughters, has become a heartbreaking symbol of maternal strength and sorrow. A GoFundMe campaign in her name has raised more than $350,000, filled with prayers, condolences, and the aching question asked by thousands: how could a father do this?

Travis Decker remains at large. He’s described as 5’8”, with black hair often tied in a ponytail, and may be hiding in remote campsites or motels. Authorities urge the public not to approach him and to report any sightings immediately.

As night settled over Wenatchee, the vigil drew to a quiet close. But the pain remains, echoing through the trees and in the hearts of everyone who now carries the memory of three innocent girls who never made it home. Their names — Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia — are no longer just names. They are a warning, a prayer, and a promise that they will not be forgotten.