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

[ttjo]

I respect your opinion as always . However, I feel he had severe mental health issues that progressively worsened. I don’t think mind games played any part in it. Just my humble opinion.

I know what you mean, and I agree, dont think it was a purposeful mind game. I think it was real. By epic mind game I mean, one day hes nice , the next day hes emotional, waking up soaking he bed not getting sleep, wanting to believe hed get better but he doesnt, it would have you so confused, similar to gaslighting I suppose where you begin to doubt your own reality.

 

[tlcya]

I respect your opinion as always . However, I feel he had severe mental health issues that progressively worsened. I don’t think mind games played any part in it. Just my humble opinion.

I can split the baby on that topic. Mental health issues do not preclude manipulation and mind games. Both can be true IMO Borderline without appropriate treatment can lead to very psychologically abusive and manipulative behavior. JMO

ETA IMO one can have both BPD and nativistic traits/tendencies.

 

[KBlackRabbit]

I respect your opinion as always . However, I feel he had severe mental health issues that progressively worsened. I don’t think mind games played any part in it. Just my humble opinion.

If the guy is a narcissist or had narcissistic tendencies, I think he was playing games, at least to some degree. They create chaos for others and revel in it.

 

[Cryptic]

Before joining the 503rd, Decker had reportedly been removed from the elite Ranger Regiment after failing to complete Ranger School.

Interesting, squadmate also describes him as narcissistic and the Ranger thing, stolen valor, lines right up with narc tendencies JMO

I think your wording "removed" from the Regiment could be telling.

Ranger officers and NCOs do not want problem people in the Regiment and also proactively, do not want problem people possessing the military skills taught in the Regiment. I am vaguely aware that Ranger officers and NCOs have several ways to get rid of "bad vibes" candidates:

A- Direct kick out for articulable reasons that might go beyond just giving out bad vibes. Or, several NCOs report strong and consistent bad vibes that are severe enough to warrant an immediate removal.

B- Bad Vibe candidate fails a portion of the course. They are then not granted a repeat opportunity and are removed for failing that portion.

C- Bad Vibe candidate actually completes the course. But.... they are then not permitted to actually join the Regiment due to..... "No stated reason". The soldier then has earned a Ranger tab (successful in training), but will not get the "Scroll" (actually in Regiment).

D. "Peered out". The candidates squad mates identify him as not having the desired traits of a good Ranger. They then recommend that he (or now, in some cases "she") be removed from training- even if they are currently passing the course.

I wonder if D was removed for one of the above reasons?

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

Yes, this was my reaction as well. Heartbreaking. She said there was no DV, but then said he "just" would wake her up in the middle of the night to yell at her. That is abuse right there. Many people wrongly believe that DV is narrowly defined as physical abuse, but it encompasses so much more. Waking your partner up in the middle of the night to yell at them is abuse. So is preventing someone from sleeping, restricting their finances, constantly belittling them, badmouthing their friends and family to the point where they don't trust anyone, convincing them not to work so they're entirely reliant on you, being kind one day and horribly rude and mean the next so they feel like they're going crazy, etc. It's all abuse, and it's all wrong. I wish schools taught this as much as they taught algebra. (To clarify - I have NOT seen Whitney say that TD did any of those things to her that I listed, other than yell at her in the middle of the night. I'm just listing examples of abusive behavior that go beyond physical violence).

Unfortunately, family court requires a high burden of “proof” of DV (pictures, police reports, criminal record, CPS findings etc) and although I agree with you and there are provisions for psychological abuse in the law (depending upon the state) a judge would be unlikely to restrict parenting time based on WD’s concerns. Even with all the proof of physical and psychological DV, judges can get things wrong and decide the parent in question is not an immediate threat or that some boundaries are appropriate but others may be too “extreme” sadly.

Having an aggressive attorney is one part of the process that can’t be understated enough, another is never letting up on the filings, being willing to ask for amendments to existing orders, and follow up follow up follow up.

I’m wondering what the response was from WD and her lawyer when they learned TD did not get the treatment he was court ordered to undergo. IMO that right there was the time to act and request supervised visitation only (if they didn’t).

If it was denied, well, that’s crappy and I disagree with that.

I understand that he had never failed to return the girls before. I just think that when you’re dealing with someone whose circumstances are that poor and deteriorating rapidly, you have to act swiftly and put the empathy aside in the interest of safety.

Lots of people agree they need therapy and treatment, and then they drag their feet or decide that it’s who they are, and they don’t need a professional stranger’s opinion on how to live their life. The problem (from my own experience and others I know) is that if you never try to get help, you’ll never know that it IS possible to feel differently and heal. That’s not to say that all treatment works or that it’s perfect…but people who fight against getting treatment, say they’ll get around to it and don’t, or give up during it typically lack experience and just assume that they are “doomed” which isn’t true, MHO.

 

[ttjo]

Unfortunately, family court requires a high burden of “proof” of DV (pictures, police reports, criminal record, CPS findings etc) and although I agree with you and there are provisions for psychological abuse in the law (depending upon the state) a judge would be unlikely to restrict parenting time based on WD’s concerns. Even with all the proof of physical and psychological DV, judges can get things wrong and decide the parent in question is not an immediate threat or that some boundaries are appropriate but others may be too “extreme” sadly.

all of this is what bother's me about " its not the parents right to see the child its the childs right to see the parent" I know its goal is to prevent parental alienaton. but how /when does a person draw the line. This is a heavy burden for the people making those decisions.

 

[Kudzuu]

IMO it is a small step from BPD to a delusional state. Throw in PTSD and you've got a recipe for disaster.

 

[tlcya]

I think your wording "removed" from the Regiment could be telling.

Ranger officers and NCOs do not want problem people in the Regiment and also proactively, do not want problem people possessing the military skills taught in the Regiment. I am vaguely aware that Ranger officers and NCOs have several ways to get rid of "bad vibes" candidates:

A- Direct kick out for articulable reasons that might go beyond just giving out bad vibes. Or, several NCOs report strong and consistent bad vibes that are severe enough to warrant an immediate removal.

B- Bad Vibe candidate fails a portion of the course. They are then not granted a repeat opportunity and are removed for failing that portion.

C- Bad Vibe candidate actually completes the course. But.... they are then not permitted to actually join the Regiment due to..... "No stated reason". The soldier then has earned a Ranger tab (successful in training), but will not get the "Scroll" (actually in Regiment).

D. "Peered out". The candidates squad mates identify him as not having the desired traits of a good Ranger. They then recommend that he (or now, in some cases "she") be removed from training- even if they are currently passing the course.

I wonder if D was removed for one of the above reasons?

I am looking for info on what sort of psych evals are done for candidates and at what point in the training they get it if so. I suspect a questionable or borderline results eval coupled with low peer reviews could have been the end of the ranger thing. Which if he does idolize his own father and his previous service, really sent him spiraling.

 

[Cryptic]

I am looking for info on what sort of psych evals are done for candidates and at what point in the training they get it if so. I suspect a questionable or borderline results eval coupled with low peer reviews could have been the end of the ranger thing.

I don't think prospective Rangers, or even Rangers are given formal psychological evaluations as there are too many people and too few resources to give each candidate a formal psychological evaluation.

Rather, I suspect that the Rangers and other Special Forces units rely very heavily on informal observations made by experienced NCOs and peers.

Of these two sources, I think the observations of experienced NCOs are given the most weight. Peer reviews are valuable and can be acted on, but... commanders also don't want Ranger completion to be based on popularity or acceptance by an "in group" of other trainees.

In agreement with you, I also feel that a negative, though not necessarily "damning" peer report coupled with negative observations made by instructor NCOs could have removed him under the "No Stated Reason" catch all idea.

 

[KBlackRabbit]

The guy flunked ranger training and supposedly has narcissistic tendencies. He’s not as smart or as capable as he thinks he is.

He’s much more likely to make mistakes that will get himself caught or die in the wilderness.

The authorities sound confident they’ll get him.

 

[Nikynoo]

I'm not new here but can't remember my credentials as it's been a while.....this case has me particularly disturbed.

One thing and not sure if anyone else pointed this out. If you look at the address given in the charges document, Whitney's home, (look on Zillow) it looks like there are pictures of them on the walls and in the one bedroom it has the one girls name on a sign on a shelf. The pictures look like staged for selling the home. So my question is if they tried to sell it, couldn't for whatever reason and it led to financial problems for TD.
In looking on LinkedIn as well, Whitney has a page there and it looks like she was working for herself making clothing. Having done self-employment myself, it's stressful so I can imagine financial strain and TD feeling like he can't provide, which is an awful feeling for most fathers.
Our mental health system is broken, in particular for vets and it has only gotten worse since January. My heart breaks for Whitney, the girls of course, but also the father was a broken, sick man. Regardless of where he is or how he's surviving now, he's not going to get out of this alive, if he is even still alive.

I’ve looked at the Zillow listing. I think the pictures are from when the property was listed for sale (eg when Whitney and Travis purchased it). The names and the pictures are not the Decker family imo. I am sure that I’ve read that Travis received $$ from the divorce settlement. I’ll go see if I can find the article.

 

[Teche]

I hope LE can make arrangements to get the National Guard to help in the search. More boots on the ground.

 

[Teche]

Court records reveal custody issues for Travis Decker

Court records expose custody challenges faced by Travis Decker, shedding light on his personal struggles and family dynamics.

mynorthwest.com

The judge told Travis Decker signing the documents was up to him, but his order would be legally binding with or without his signature. Travis Decker also refused to attend any domestic violence psychiatric evaluations and assessments. Seven months later, Chelan County deputies found the bodies of his children at a campground 18 miles west of Leavenworth.

So help was available but Decker refused. These services could have lead to psychological interventions. Those poor children and mom.

 

[Chimera]

Travis Decker's chilling words before vanishing with three daughters

Travis Decker is accused of suffocating his three daughters; Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia Decker, five, after tying them up with zip ties.

www.dailymail.co.uk

In one instance, Whitney wrote that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her crying during a visit with Decker and said she could not find her father - before Evelyn came home with welts between her legs.

She said when Decker went to pick up the girls Friday, he was 'quieter than usual' which was 'out of character' for him.

Rbm.
I'm thinking Whitney reported it but maybe nothing was done ?
How the bleep do you get welts between your legs ?
Most of the time if a perp hits a child with a belt or whatever, the welts will land on the back or outside of the legs.
I do not agree with corporal punishment but have followed cases here where kids were punished that way.

Kudos to her for putting up with him for as long as she did, seeing how unstable he was becoming.
Something maybe was the proverbial straw... or everything had been building up ---still don't think he just 'snapped'.
Although his final horrific act showed premeditation, so there's that.
Not blaming anyone else's actions for the murders.

Imo.

 

[Chimera]

IF Travis is taken alive, I hope and pray no one else is harmed or worse !

 

[Cryptic]

I'm thinking Whitney reported it but maybe nothing was done ?
How the bleep do you get welts between your legs?

She may of never reported it.

Or, it was reported and it was reviewed. But.... the reviewer determined that the amount of injury was not criminal, or was too borderline to make a good case.

As for welts on the inside of a leg, I can see the following scenario:

- Child is laying prone and is resisting the punishment by kicking. Their repeatedly raised upper leg wards off blows to the outside of their leg. Their lower outside leg is on the bed. But.... when the child opens their legs to kick, they get struck on the inside of the legs.

The above could suggest a chaotic, or spontaneous rage punishment session.

As a side note, though I fully agree with corporal punishment as a concept, the presence of numerous welts would concern me too.

My family has given support to at risk youth in difficult situations- two with signs of well, possible abuse. In the end, it seems to take a lot of clear cut evidence to take action against a parent for abuse. The evidence must show actual criminal conduct. Borderline cases will likely be found in favor of the parent.

Likewise, third party opinions like: "I think there are other ways to discipline besides corporal punishment- its just not needed" -or- "Corporal punishment is fine, but I personally dont like the manner in which it was done" don't count for much in the legal sense when evaluating for abuse.

 

[Miss Poovy]

We are not supposed to discuss other cases but the example that came to my mind ( please excuse my clumsy explanation) was in the case of two very special girls Abby and Libby.

I do not want to derail this thread. But it was mentioned multiple times that there was possible remorse because Abby was found redressed at the Crime Scene.

I have reposted the link. Just to give you an example of a a case where possible remorse was introduced multiple times. Please do not derail the thread by discussing another case on Webseluths.Below is a link and an abbreviated snippet/paraphrased from the discussion. This is intended not for discussion but as an example to help answer your question.

<snip from post 462 by Justice101>
But if he killed them due to anger (and it was not a SA per se), could RA have taken their clothes off to make it look like a SA and then later became secondarily embarrassed to see them naked like that and that is why he tried to cover (redress Abby not his target) in an effort to clear his conscience somewhat.​

Abby & Libby - The Delphi Murders - Richard Allen Arrested - #197

Sorry, I had no idea about a perp feeling guilty and showing it. My bad.
Could you name a case on here like that? So I can read about it.

So many sad, tragic child murders . . . I tried to research & I’m still looking, but I’ve read in the past, if a child’s body was covered or treated in at least some respectful way, it was a clue to a psychologist/psychiatrist that it may be one of the parents or close family member(s). I know this sounds like an oxymoron.

Travis Decker's PTSD was something he "always carried with him" throughout their marriage, but did not begin to "spiral" until he got out of the active reserves in 2023, Cozart said. Throughout their time together, Cozart said Travis Decker would scream in the middle of the night, soak the bed and only get one or two hours of sleep.

It was Travis Decker who initiated ending his marriage with Whitney Decker in 2023, because he "felt like he wasn't worth it," Cozart said.
Father who killed 3 daughters was 'active dad' but the 'system failed' him, ex-wife's attorney says

The following trails are closed, including backcountry camps and cross-country zones along closed trails:

Pacific Crest Trail within the park complex (Agnes Creek, Old Wagon, and Bridge Creek trails)
Rainbow Lake Trail
Rainbow Creek Trail
McAlester Lake Trail
Twisp Pass Trail (to USFS border)
Stiletto Spur Trail
North Fork Bridge Creek Trail
Upper Stehekin Valley Trail
Flat Creek Trail
Thunder Creek Trail from Park Creek Pass to the junction with Upper Stehekin Valley Trail
Upper Stehekin Valley Trail to junction with Horseshow Basin Trail
One week later: Manhunt for accused triple-murderer Travis Decker continues; a community grieves

So so far we've heard from his ex wife via public statement, court docs, or her attorney:

Boderline Personality Disorder, narcissistic, controlling, and now PTSD. And yet according to this article, Travis initiated the divorce. So what would he be punishing her for in his mind? Unless it was simply her advocacy for the girls and keeping them safe from his tenuous living situation was all it took to send him to this decision he apparently made to end his children?

Not a psychiatrist/psychologist, but I think he had a hard time realizing he needed serious mental healthcare. He did not want or couldn’t admit it, IMO. I have some criticism for the Court if as reported here, the Judge said the visitation stood as is, whether the Dad signed it or not. Sad situation.

 

[Snoop Sister]

I don't think prospective Rangers, or even Rangers are given formal psychological evaluations as there are too many people and too few resources to give each candidate a formal psychological evaluation.

[Snipped]

My nephew went into a summer program (in Canada though) for Indigenous teens called “ Bold Eagle”, which is sponsored by the Canadian Army. Even at this low level of army training, one of the criterion for candidates was the completion of a psych assessment before acceptance. Hence, I can’t imagine being a ranger without a psych assessment. Jmo

 

[UsernameRequired]

I’ve looked at the Zillow listing. I think the pictures are from when the property was listed for sale (eg when Whitney and Travis purchased it). The names and the pictures are not the Decker family imo. I am sure that I’ve read that Travis received $$ from the divorce settlement. I’ll go see if I can find the article.

You are correct. The photos on the wall in the listing are the prior owners. They look very similar and the husband even has some arm tattoos but they are different people. They even have the same daughters name in one of the bedroom photos that state the name "Olivia". But you can see the last name (starts with a T and it matches with the Co Assessor records.

Travis's name has the 'Quit Claim Deed' filed on 04/25/2023.

The Grantor, Travis Decker, for and in consideration of property settlement agreementin Chelan County, Washington divorce proceedings under Superior Court cause number 22-3-00376-04, conveys and quitclaims to Grantee, Whitney Decker, all of Grantor's interest in thefollowing-described real estate, situate in Chelan County, Washington:

 

[Nikynoo]

You are correct. The photos on the wall in the listing are the prior owners. They look very similar and the husband even has some arm tattoos but they are different people. They even have the same daughters name in one of the bedroom photos that state the name "Olivia". But you can see the last name (starts with a T and it matches with the Co Assessor records.

Travis's name has the 'Quit Claim Deed' filed on 04/25/2023.

The Grantor, Travis Decker, for and in consideration of property settlement agreementin Chelan County, Washington divorce proceedings under Superior Court cause number 22-3-00376-04, conveys and quitclaims to Grantee, Whitney Decker, all of Grantor's interest in thefollowing-described real estate, situate in Chelan County, Washington:

That’s it. Thank you!