Found Deceased Olivia 5, Evelyn 8 & Paityn Decker 9, Endangered Alert, visitation w/ homeless dad Travis Decker 32, wh 2017 GMC Sierra PU, Wenatchee, 30 May 2025

[tlcya]

He's had extensive Military training so it is possible that he had built a makeshift hideout to hide in until dark.

yes, extensive. Rangers go through various stringent training phases. They are both physically and mentally challenging to the candidate.

One of those phases is specific to mountain geography.

for a good idea of the various skills Decker would have successfully completed to become a ranger
Fort Benning | Student Information.

 

[NoeticSoul]

He's had extensive Military training so it is possible that he had built a makeshift hideout to hide in until dark.

I'll eat my glass desk if he's still alive. I even have a salt and pepper shaker on it. lol

 

[Boxer]

I almost wonder if he tied up the dog to have the dog out of the way without interfering with the murders, rather than as a small mercy.

Again, everything left behind including the dog could be a red herring.

I looked at pix of the campground…while it does sound like it is frequented by people too often to hide, as a FL gal the terrain seems rugged enough to hide, and move stealthily with ease…or is that my ignorance?

If he had previously scouted hideouts and planned a certain path, that also gives him a head start.

It doesn’t look like there are major cave networks nearby, but imagine being able to find one or more on the go wouldn’t be difficult.

Infared.
He has techniques of course - but they will put the advanced state of detection to the test.

 

[Sillybilly]

Hey folks,

LE has only said that the dog was located. That's it !! Members may not discuss any information that was previously posted here and that was not linked to any approved source.

It is not known where the dog was located or in what condition, etc, so please do not discuss removed posts or any information contained in them.

When there is a fugitive being sought, do not post scanner info from anywhere. It has the potential to endanger LE, and members need to understand that perhaps LE does not want additional details released as to locations, etc due to the ongoing investigation. Understandably they do not want a fugitive to know what they know and WSers don't want to be in a position of tipping a perp off !!

Please post responsibly. Thank you.

 

[bestill]

Thanks for the correction.
Still, just my opinion, there should have been no unsupervised visitation.

Agree, so many questions and red flags.

 

[UsernameRequired]

I almost wonder if he tied up the dog to have the dog out of the way without interfering with the murders, rather than as a small mercy.

Again, everything left behind including the dog could be a red herring.

I looked at pix of the campground…while it does sound like it is frequented by people too often to hide, as a FL gal the terrain seems rugged enough to hide, and move stealthily with ease…or is that my ignorance?

If he had previously scouted hideouts and planned a certain path, that also gives him a head start.

It doesn’t look like there are major cave networks nearby, but imagine being able to find one or more on the go wouldn’t be difficult.

Longtime time local here. I've camped at that very campground and numerous spots up and down the Icicle Rd area. There are actually a few free, dispersed camping spots along the road. You are correct the terrain is very, very steep and rugged. There is only one road in with no exit and basically a canyon with a river. It would be very easy for him to hide especially given his training and survival skills. The area has a ton of Doug Fir and Pine trees to hide under from the planes and helis in the sky. Plenty of river and fresh lake water to survive for a little while. I would not be surprised at all if Travis hitch-hiked out of the area on late Friday or early Sat. Hope I'm wrong.

Chelan Co Sheriff just posted a few mins ago they are asking citizens who own cabins or reside in our remote areas of Chelan, Kittitas, King, Snohomish, and Okanagan Counties to please be aware that Mr. Decker is still missing. As law enforcement conducts their searches, we are asking for those owners to lock all of their doors, to include any sheds out outbuildings, and leave their window blinds open and we recommend leaving outside lights on.

Also, no scheduled press conference today.

Some good news... the GoFund me for Whitney just hit $925k and will likely pass the $1M mark today. Incredibly heart-warming to see soooo many people step up and support her!

Chelan County Sheriff's Office | Wenatchee WA

Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Wenatchee. 35,098 likes · 5,342 talking about this · 76 were here. With the resources entrusted to us, we will be a steadfast ally to all citizens and their safety.

www.facebook.com

 

[Cryptic]

for a good idea of the various skills Decker would have successfully completed to become a ranger
Fort Benning | Student Information.

A Ranger clearly has skills to make finding him in a wilderness area very difficult. Even more challenging, one of Decker's inlaws has related that he enjoyed camping "off grid" for up to two months at a time.

But....

The Border Patrol is on the case! Respecting Rangers and other Special Forces soldiers, nobody in North America tracks humans better than the USBP. That would go doubly so for specialized "sign cutting" agents.

Even the USBP is known to pull in additional human tracking specialists from the Tono O O'dham native nation from time to time.

In the end, with the USBP on the case, I am fully confident that if Decker is alive and in the area, USBP sign cutters and possible tribal consultants will find him.

 

[sasha17]

The Forest Service has closed several campgrounds, roads, and hiking trails in the area.

"Forest officials emphasized that the closure order is meant to ensure public safety. Anyone found violating the closure could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, under federal law."

Forest Service closes Enchantments through June 18 as search for Travis Decker continues

The U.S. Forest Service has ordered an emergency closure of the Icicle River area in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as the search for triple-murder suspect Travis Decker continues.

www.kiro7.com

 

[Twistinginthewind]

MOO If he is trying to evade he hiked many ridges over.

Too cowardly to kill himself as he should have done when he first felt the motivation to kill his daughters come into his head.

All MOO:

I agree and think this is the most likely scenario.

That he was prepared to hike deep into the wilderness directly and with plans he practiced/was in shape for to travel X miles per hour for X hours per day to his previously setup hideouts, and away from civilization for good, if not for a good long while.

That he had set up places to shelter along his route that were out of range of all technological searching devices, and maybe even under rock ledges or other features or using survivalist gear and equipment to stay hidden, where his infrared signature wouldn't be detected by helicopters or satellites with those types of searching capabilities.

I hope I'm wrong, and/or I hope he will slip up and/or eventually become complacent and get caught, but my gut is telling me he has the knowledge and skillset to live off the grid indefinitely.

And if or when (I hope beyond all hope for the sake of the family and in the name of justice) he's caught by LE, he'll be resolved to go out in a blaze of (non)glory, as in they'll have to take him down, he won't give up and will die trying to stay out there.

 

[ttjo]

I'll eat my glass desk if he's still alive. I even have a salt and pepper shaker on it. lol

they went to court sometime after july 25/2024 to address some concerns and modify the parenting plan, Travis agreed to child support but said he couldnt pay at the moment.
he didnt want to lose access time with shortened visits and no overnights
He objected because he didnt want to lose time because of his living conditions, ( homelessness because his RV was repossessed, or b/c he was staying at army Barracks?) he thought " it was important for the children to understand how they could learn from his current condition"
wonder what he wanted them to learn? camping skills? or was he going to show them how much he is suffering because of.... ( and gaslight whitney)
so if he isnt dead, or even if he is, why is it so hard to find him? Makes me wonder if hes doing this on purpose (hiding) because he wants people to see him "look at me this is what happens when... like he wants to teach a lesson just like he wanted the girls to learn from his situation.
From his perspective he thinks... this is what happen's when,,,, and not take any accountability and instead gaslight, I bet he thinks hes the victim.
source : hidden true crime "

starts about 9:04

 

[ttjo]

BBM, I was going to write the very same thing. I am wondering if he left the dog the at the camp while he picked the girls up from their mothers. She may have asked where's the dog and his answer was he's going to have to give the dog up due to his finances.

In that earlier post about a dog matching the description of his dog being at the shelter, it was also mentioned they were measuring the paws. I think the bloody prints are from the dog.

All JMO

except I think I read upthread that they said adult handprints? anyone know for sure?

 

[branmuffin]

This is such a tragedy. A mom who loved her children and her estranged ex-husband and believed that the love he had for his children provided a protection to them because to think the alternative was unimaginable. She believed allowing unsupervised visits kept the communication open and didn't want to be that person who denied her children access to their dad out of spite.

And I think it worked up to a certain point. But as kids get older, they recognize that the situation is abnormal because their dad doesn't live in a house or apartment, he camps or stays in motels or even worse in his vehicle. So I see maybe the older daughter complaining about being driven about and wanting to go home while the younger ones may have seen it as an adventure.

I want to believe he snapped but I know that's not true because he came prepared with zip ties and plastic bags. I want to believe he felt remorse over his actions and acknowledge that remorse by laying them down gently removing the plastic bags that suffocated them but I know that's not true because he dumped them over a steep embankment to rest hundreds of feet from the vehicle. I'm interested in where he killed them. Was it at the location where they were found or did he do somewhere else? And if it was somewhere else? Where?

I want to believe he's dead, overcome by guilt and despair, but I think his body would have been found by now if he committed suicide.

On Google earth it states the park is temporarily closed but that would have been after they found the girls. Depending on when he murdered them he could have had at least two days to be in the wind. Or two days to find an isolated spot miles and miles away and kill himself there.

If he isn't dead how far could he have gotten on foot? Could he have hitched a ride with a good Samaritan and commandeered the vehicle? Or just driven with them far enough so the driver wouldn't have thought him suspicious. But what about the blood left on the exterior of his truck? Was it his blood? He probably had clothes in his own vehicle he could have changed into. If he took another person's vehicle are there any recent missing persons from the area?

As an active military member in the NG would he be allowed having weapons after being diagnosed with mental health issues? I know I've read several times how difficult it is for military members to have to give up their arms. Esteban Santiago who shot and killed several people in the Fort Lauderdale airport in 2017 had informed his superior officers in Alaska of his deteriorating mental health and his disturbing thoughts about killing but no one was interested in taking his weapons from him. I also read a veterans news site re the hoops they had to through to take weapons away from mentally disturbed individuals who are more likely to kill themselves than others. Unfortunately, in the US weapons are easily available.

One thing I've noticed about TD's physical appearance is that he looks like he may be aboriginal and wondered whether if he is, if he's made his way to one of many First Nation Reserves in Washington State. There are many reserves in the general area closer to the coast. I've read that some aboriginals or Indians which is how the majority of First Nations here in Canada refer to themselves, seek out protection against LE on reserve land depending on the crime. However, the cold-blooded murder of three little girls, his OWN children would probably be reason enough for someone to blow the whistle on him. This is my speculation only.

The mom's journey to peace, if that's even possible, can only start when she knows where he is and if he's alive. I hope for her sake he is not and that finding him dead will at least close one chapter of her nightmare. MOO IMO

 

[ttjo]

This is such a tragedy. A mom who loved her children and her estranged ex-husband and believed that the love he had for his children provided a protection to them because to think the alternative was unimaginable. She believed allowing unsupervised visits kept the communication open and didn't want to be that person who denied her children access to their dad out of spite.

And I think it worked up to a certain point. But as kids get older, they recognize that the situation is abnormal because their dad doesn't live in a house or apartment, he camps or stays in motels or even worse in his vehicle. So I see maybe the older daughter complaining about being driven about and wanting to go home while the younger ones may have seen it as an adventure.

I want to believe he snapped but I know that's not true because he came prepared with zip ties and plastic bags. I want to believe he felt remorse over his actions and acknowledge that remorse by laying them down gently removing the plastic bags that suffocated them but I know that's not true because he dumped them over a steep embankment to rest hundreds of feet from the vehicle. I'm interested in where he killed them. Was it at the location where they were found or did he do somewhere else? And if it was somewhere else? Where?

I want to believe he's dead, overcome by guilt and despair, but I think his body would have been found by now if he committed suicide.

On Google earth it states the park is temporarily closed but that would have been after they found the girls. Depending on when he murdered them he could have had at least two days to be in the wind. Or two days to find an isolated spot miles and miles away and kill himself there.

If he isn't dead how far could he have gotten on foot? Could he have hitched a ride with a good Samaritan and commandeered the vehicle? Or just driven with them far enough so the driver wouldn't have thought him suspicious. But what about the blood left on the exterior of his truck? Was it his blood? He probably had clothes in his own vehicle he could have changed into. If he took another person's vehicle are there any recent missing persons from the area?

As an active military member in the NG would he be allowed having weapons after being diagnosed with mental health issues? I know I've read several times how difficult it is for military members to have to give up their arms. Esteban Santiago who shot and killed several people in the Fort Lauderdale airport in 2017 had informed his superior officers in Alaska of his deteriorating mental health and his disturbing thoughts about killing but no one was interested in taking his weapons from him. I also read a veterans news site re the hoops they had to through to take weapons away from mentally disturbed individuals who are more likely to kill themselves than others. Unfortunately, in the US weapons are easily available.

One thing I've noticed about TD's physical appearance is that he looks like he may be aboriginal and wondered whether if he is, if he's made his way to one of many First Nation Reserves in Washington State. There are many reserves in the general area closer to the coast. I've read that some aboriginals or Indians which is how the majority of First Nations here in Canada refer to themselves, seek out protection against LE on reserve land depending on the crime. However, the cold-blooded murder of three little girls, his OWN children would probably be reason enough for someone to blow the whistle on him. This is my speculation only.

The mom's journey to peace, if that's even possible, can only start when she knows where he is and if he's alive. I hope for her sake he is not and that finding him dead will at least close one chapter of her nightmare. MOO IMO

In the hidden true crime clip that I posted above. She ( Lauren) talks about the girls being afraid on visits,maybe that factored in. At one point they were all he had, and now it sounds like even they were starting to be afraid.

 

[swanniee11]

I feel there is a danger to the community, This guy has nothing to lose now. IMO

 

[Teche]

yes, extensive. Rangers go through various stringent training phases. They are both physically and mentally challenging to the candidate.

One of those phases is specific to mountain geography.

for a good idea of the various skills Decker would have successfully completed to become a ranger
Fort Benning | Student Information.

At one time Decker was full-time National Guard. Do the receive the same training as Rangers? Thanks.

 

[Nikynoo]

they went to court sometime after july 25/2024 to address some concerns and modify the parenting plan, Travis agreed to child support but said he couldnt pay at the moment.
he didnt want to lose access time with shortened visits and no overnights
He objected because he thought " it was important for the children to understand how they could learn from his current condition"
wonder what he wanted them to learn? camping skills? or was he going to show them how much he is suffering because of.... ( and gaslight whitney)
so if he isnt dead, or even if he is, why is it so hard to find him? Makes me wonder if hes doing this on purpose (hiding) because he wants people to see him "look at me this is what happens when... like he wants to teach a lesson just like he wanted the girls to learn from his situation.
From his perspective he thinks... this is what happen's when,,,, and not take any accountability and instead gaslight, I bet he thinks hes the victim.
source : hidden true crime "

starts about 9:04

I wonder whether the searchers are remembering to look up into the trees?

 

[seasideForest]

.. the sheriff was on NewsNation last night and clarified it was an adult sized handprint. (4:18 mark in the video)

@ttjo

 

[Badgerette]

Trying to rationalize why his body wasn't found with the girls and perhaps he couldn't off himself in the same manner.
Is there somewhere nearby that is high enough he could throw himself into the water to unalive himself?

 

[ttjo]

Trying to rationalize why his body wasn't found with the girls and perhaps he couldn't off himself in the same manner.
Is there somewhere nearby that is high enough he could throw himself into the water to unalive himself?

Thats what Im wondering, why would he try to stay alive? What purpose would it serve? He has to know the end of this game.

 

[Sundog]

Trying to rationalize why his body wasn't found with the girls and perhaps he couldn't off himself in the same manner.
Is there somewhere nearby that is high enough he could throw himself into the water to unalive himself?

If he is suicidal, he may be wanting a situation of suicide by cop, rather than committing suicide on his own. That would certainly make him very dangerous to law enforcement officers who are pursuing him.