Travis Decker Manhunt Intensifies as FBI Closes Campsite and Returns to Area Linked to His 3 Daughters’ Deaths

A chilling crime has gripped Washington state, where a father is accused of murdering his three young daughters at a remote campsite. Travis Decker, now the focus of an intense multi-agency manhunt, remains at large as the FBI shuts down the crime scene to search for clues. Here’s the latest on this heart-wrenching case and the efforts to find justice.

A Horrific Discovery Shocks Community

The quiet Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Washington, became a crime scene when the bodies of Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found. Authorities say the girls were suffocated, their wrists zip-tied, and plastic bags placed over their heads. Their father, Travis Decker, 32, allegedly killed them during a court-ordered visit. His abandoned truck, marked with bloody handprints, was found nearby. The discovery has left the community reeling, with residents struggling to process the loss of three young lives. The campground is now closed as investigators comb the area for answers.

FBI Leads Expansive Search Efforts

The FBI, alongside the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals, and other agencies, has taken over the manhunt for Decker. The U.S. Forest Service shut down Rock Island Campground to aid the investigation, blocking public access to ensure evidence isn’t disturbed. Helicopters, drones, and K9 units have scoured the rugged Wenatchee Mountains, but Decker, an Army veteran with survival skills, remains elusive. Authorities suspect he may have fled to Canada, based on his pre-disappearance internet searches. A $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest. Sheriff Mike Morrison vows, “We won’t rest until justice is served.”

A Family’s Tragic Backstory

Decker and his ex-wife, Whitney, divorced in 2023 after a marriage strained by his mental health struggles, including PTSD. Court documents show Whitney sought sole custody, citing Decker’s instability, but he was granted limited visitation. No red flags emerged before the tragedy, says Whitney’s attorney, Arianna Cozart. Decker picked up the girls for a routine visit, promising to return them by evening. When they didn’t come home, Whitney alerted police. The grim discovery days later sparked a manhunt that’s now stretched nearly three months. Whitney, supported by a GoFundMe raising over $1.2 million, grieves while seeking answers.

Evidence Points to Decker Alone

Investigators have zeroed in on Decker as the sole suspect. DNA from blood at the scene—found on plastic bags and his truck—matches his profile, ruling out other suspects. His dog, found alive at the campsite, carried non-human blood, adding to the evidence. Decker’s survival training, honed during his military service, makes him a formidable fugitive. Sightings in Idaho and Washington’s Blewett Pass were debunked, but authorities remain vigilant. “He’s skilled, but he’ll make a mistake,” Sheriff Morrison told reporters. The public is urged to report suspicious activity, especially near the Pacific Crest Trail, which leads to Canada.

A Call for Justice and Vigilance

This tragedy has sparked widespread grief and calls for reform in custody and mental health systems. Whitney’s attorney told ABC News the system failed Decker by not addressing his PTSD, which may have saved the girls. As the manhunt continues, authorities ask residents in Chelan, Kittitas, and nearby counties to lock doors and stay alert. If you spot Decker, described as 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, call 911 immediately—do not approach. Tips can also reach the U.S. Marshals or local police. For the Bradley family and others touched by loss, like those in the Netflix documentary Amy Bradley Is Missing, the fight for closure resonates. Let’s honor Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia by supporting the search for truth.