The manhunt for Travis Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran wanted in connection with the
brutal slayings of his daughters, who were found dead earlier this month, entered just over two weeks on Tuesday, June 17. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the girls missing on Friday, May 30,
after the siblings left their central Washington home for a planned visit with their father, the
Wenatchee Police Department reported. Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office
reported Monday, June 16, that their deputies and tactical teams were looking for Decker in the Teanaway Valley and Blewett Pass areas. In an online social media post, the department was asking residents to be alert for anyone suspicious. The law enforcement agency is located
about an hour south of where the girls disappeared. The joint local, state and federal multi-jurisdictional hunt for Decker entered day 15 after deputies discovered the girls' bodies on June 2 at
Rock Island Campground . The Chelan County Sheriff's Office, the lead agency on the triple murder case, reported a deputy found Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, lifeless with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied. Also on June 16, Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier released a statement to
Fox 13 news calling the case worse than "a nightmare" and reminding people to take care of one another, no matter the circumstances. "Everybody has nightmares, but can you image, this is beyond a nightmare. This is something that should affect us," the Seattle-based outlet reported the mayor said. "Never forget and remember to support each other in a time of need and even in not a time a need." USA TODAY contacted Poirier, who referenced his statement to Fox 13. Here's what to know about the case so far.
Florida man pees on meat in store: $10,000 worth of food was urinated on in Sam's Club. What date were the Decker girls reported missing?
State officials issued an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) for the school-age sisters on May 31. Washington State Patrol was originally contacted on May 30 to request an Amber Alert, but the situation "did not meet the required criteria" at the time, Wenatchee police said. The girls' father was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time they vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Court filings obtained by USA TODAY say Travis Decker reportedly exhibited mental health issues before the girls' deaths.
What does Travis Decker look like?
Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'' and weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
Is there an award for Travis Decker's arrest?
Travis Decker is wanted for three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree kidnapping and three counts of first-degree custodial interference, police said. Authorities are asking for the community's assistance in locating him. As of June 17, a reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information leading to his arrest, the sheriff's office confirmed.
Opinion - Decker sisters needed protection: Our court system failed them. Alleged Travis Decker sightings
In the days after police announced the hunt for Decker, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told USA TODAY there
had been dozens of alleged Decker sightings , including one investigated by the
McCall Police Department in Idaho. The agency said it received reports of someone who looked like Decker in the western part of the Gem State. The small resort town of McCall is about 450 miles southwest of where the search for Decker is currently focused. Morrison told USA TODAY his office and law enforcement in Idaho had deemed the reports uncredible. Police could not say whether Decker was armed while on the lam. Anyone who sees him or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit their information online at
https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund .
