Found Deceased WA - Olivia 5, Evelyn 8 & Paityn Decker 9, found dead, manhunt on for father, Travis Decker 32, wh 2017 GMC Sierra PU, Wenatchee, 30 May 2025 #2

[sunspun]

The report also said the zipties were found lying around in the area where their bodies were found. I wonder why he even bothered to cut them off when he "finished". Or maybe they were still tied up, and the ones they mentioned were some unused ones that just got dropped during the process.

 

[Gemmie]

The report also said the zipties were found lying around in the area where their bodies were found. I wonder why he even bothered to cut them off when he "finished". Or maybe they were still tied up, and the ones they mentioned were some unused ones that just got dropped during the process.

IMO it's the latter. They were found scattered. I do not think he cut them off IMO. Just venturing a guess here but I doubt he stayed around till the dirty deed was done. I think he attached the bags securely enough, plus had zip ties on their wrists so they couldn't claw them open/off... and then left the scene. I don't think he stood around watching. JMO on that. At least I hope he didn't. He was a monster enough with his despicable actions.

investigators said after they found several cable ties scattered near the scene.

Travis Decker’s DNA found on plastic bags, zip ties used in killings of daughters

There are new details in the search for Travis Decker -- the man accused of killing his three young daughters at a campground near Leavenworth.

mynorthwest.com

 

[Lalalacasbah]

I think that's why the bags over their heads. He didn't have to look at them.

I totally agree. Also, sounds like he didn't have to touch them or use his hands. The act is so detached

 

[JenniD]

IMO it's the latter. They were found scattered. I do not think he cut them off IMO. Just venturing a guess here but I doubt he stayed around till the dirty deed was done. I think he attached the bags securely enough, plus had zip ties on their wrists so they couldn't claw them open/off... and then left the scene. I don't think he stood around watching. JMO on that. At least I hope he didn't. He was a monster enough with his despicable actions.

investigators said after they found several cable ties scattered near the scene.

Travis Decker’s DNA found on plastic bags, zip ties used in killings of daughters

There are new details in the search for Travis Decker -- the man accused of killing his three young daughters at a campground near Leavenworth.

mynorthwest.com

Do you think he took them to the cliff side and put the bags and ties there? I was thinking he did it near the campsite and then disposed of the bodies after they were deceased.

 

[Gemmie]

Do you think he took them to the cliff side and put the bags and ties there? I was thinking he did it near the campsite and then disposed of the bodies after they were deceased.

Since LE found plastic bags and zip ties strewn down the embankment where they were found, IMO that he took them down there and then did what he did. Maybe they weren't being cooperative and some of the bags and zip ties fell as he was focused on herding the girls to the bottom. All JMO from the info as I know it.

Otherwise they'd have been found up the embankment by the campsite and where his truck was found. I think that because I can't imagine he'd carry the 3 deceased (or dying girls) AND plastic bags and zip ties, IF he already used what he needed.

Law enforcement discovered the three children's bodies down a small embankment some 100 yards past the truck, with zip ties and plastic bags strewn around that whole area. Each of the girls had a plastic bag over their head, and their "wrists were zip tied or showed signs of being zip tied," according to the affidavit.

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5429550/travis-decker-daughters-murder-manhunt-washington

 

[sasha17]

"wrists were zip tied or showed signs of being zip tied," according to the affidavit.

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5429550/travis-decker-daughters-murder-manhunt-washington

SBM. This part is curious. For the "showed signs of being zip tied" part, I wonder if he cut off the zip ties at some point, or if they somehow came off? Clearly they would have been on tight enough to "show signs" on the skin so it's not like they were loose and slipped off. But it would seem strange to me if he put them on and then removed them in the course of events.

 

[Gemmie]

SBM. This part is curious. For the "showed signs of being zip tied" part, I wonder if he cut off the zip ties at some point, or if they somehow came off? Clearly they would have been on tight enough to "show signs" on the skin so it's not like they were loose and slipped off. But it would seem strange to me if he put them on and then removed them in the course of events.

Sounds like he took them off because IMO... zip ties put on tight enough to leave marks will NOT come off either on their own, or even if the person is working at getting them off. But a child? Doubt they'd have the forethought to try to get them off like an adult at least would.

All JMO.

 

[SimplyCass]

If someone is helping TD, my guess is that they don't know what happened at all, or TD told them that he was framed or something and they believe it.

This story vaguely reminds me of the ex-LAPD patrolman Christopher Dorner shootings and manhunt in 2013. During the nine-day manhunt, some hailed him as a folk hero, but I think it was mostly people being angry or upset with police brutality. They believed what he said about the 'wall of silence' while ignoring the fact that he killed a young couple in an execution-style ambush which is nothing heroic at all.

It's hard to completely disappear nowadays. I get the feeling that he's somewhere in plain sight.

 

[Seattle1]

Otherwise they'd have been found up the embankment by the campsite and where his truck was found. I think that because I can't imagine he'd carry the 3 deceased (or dying girls) AND plastic bags and zip ties, IF he already used what he needed.

Law enforcement discovered the three children's bodies down a small embankment some 100 yards past the truck, with zip ties and plastic bags strewn around that whole area. Each of the girls had a plastic bag over their head, and their "wrists were zip tied or showed signs of being zip tied," according to the affidavit.

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/10/nx-s1-5429550/travis-decker-daughters-murder-manhunt-washingto

^^rsbm

Respectfully, since OP's link of 6/2025, there was an updated report by Chelan County Sheriff on 8/19:

At this time, we know that when found, one child was wearing a cable tie-- but evidence that cable ties had been used as restraints, and that multiple bags were used over their heads to asphyxiate them.

Cable ties in the PNW are such a way of life for hiking/camping/sports, etc., and since TD was essentially living out of his truck, I think he had everything he used on hand, and these supplies probably would not have been alarming to the children.

I can say that for as long as I can remember, I've personally used three of the colored ties for internal group communication when hiking where there's no cell signal, and the family gets separated. For example, red, of course, universal for first aid, is used to communicate somebody is injured; blue is to indicate we are headed towards the water; and green is headed to shelter such as the campsite, tent, car park, etc.

The Versatility of Zip Ties in Backpacking and Hiking | Cable Ties Unlimited Blog

In an updated press release shared on Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office provided additional details about the condition in which the sisters were found.

"Two of the victims each had two separate bags over their heads and the third victim had three separate bags over their head," the release states. "In addition, several cable ties were located on the ground in the immediate area of the bodies."

 

[Lalalacasbah]

If someone is helping TD, my guess is that they don't know what happened at all, or TD told them that he was framed or something and they believe it.

This story vaguely reminds me of the ex-LAPD patrolman Christopher Dorner shootings and manhunt in 2013. During the nine-day manhunt, some hailed him as a folk hero, but I think it was mostly people being angry or upset with police brutality. They believed what he said about the 'wall of silence' while ignoring the fact that he killed a young couple in an execution-style ambush which is nothing heroic at all.

It's hard to completely disappear nowadays. I get the feeling that he's somewhere in plain sight.

He could say a story or even look unrecognizable and pass for an outdoorsy type. Maybe even met someone along the way who has no clue who he is and he hasn't told a story at all.

He could pretend he's someone he's not. His appearance can change so much. I can see him looking younger, he could pretend he's some cool off-grid university student type travelling around. Not "van life" exactly, but someone like that. MOO

 

[TMich6811]

He could say a story or even look unrecognizable and pass for an outdoorsy type. Maybe even met someone along the way who has no clue who he is and he hasn't told a story at all.

He could pretend he's someone he's not. His appearance can change so much. I can see him looking younger, he could pretend he's some cool off-grid university student type travelling around. Not "van life" exactly, but someone like that. MOO

I don’t feel he looks particularly unique either so blending is easy

 

[Lalalacasbah]

I don’t feel he looks particularly unique either so blending is easy

Ya he can change his look up so much! He could blend into lots of places sadly

 

[LadyL]

View attachment 609795

angels

 

[FromGermany1]

He didn't sign up as a legionnaire somewhere? Or on a ship?
(I don't know how far you can escape in three days.)

 

[waitin'4thewrld2chg]

I wonder what this is about! The Wenatchee World article is from seventeen hours ago, and "The closures are in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Wednesday".

"More details of what prompted the renewed effort were not disclosed."
.

FBI closing Rock Island Campground in Decker manhunt

The FBI is closing several trails and roads near the Rock Island Campground outside Leavenworth as part of the search for Travis Decker.

www.wenatcheeworld.com

 

[Gemmie]

I wonder what this is about! The Wenatchee World article is from seventeen hours ago, and "The closures are in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Wednesday".

"More details of what prompted the renewed effort were not disclosed."
.

FBI closing Rock Island Campground in Decker manhunt

The FBI is closing several trails and roads near the Rock Island Campground outside Leavenworth as part of the search for Travis Decker.

www.wenatcheeworld.com

Very interesting. Just getting this info from your link into this thread to make it easier for WS sleuths to find should that want to get their fingers on the closures.

Roads closed
FSR 7600600
FSR 7600550
FSR 7600415
FSR 7600415A
FSR 7609000
FSR 7609110
FSR 7600110
FSR 7600615
FSR 7600616
FSR 7600915
FSR 7600000
FSR 7609400
FSR7600810

Trails closed
Jack Pine Trail 1558
Icicle Gorge Trail 1596
Icicle Gorge Upper Loop 1596.1
Icicle Gorge Upper Loop Tie 1596.2

Campgrounds closed
Rock Island Campground
Blackpine Horse Campground
Chatter Creek Campground

FBI closing Rock Island Campground in Decker manhunt

The FBI is closing several trails and roads near the Rock Island Campground outside Leavenworth as part of the search for Travis Decker.

www.wenatcheeworld.com

 

[Sundog]

I wonder what this is about! The Wenatchee World article is from seventeen hours ago, and "The closures are in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Wednesday".

"More details of what prompted the renewed effort were not disclosed."
.

FBI closing Rock Island Campground in Decker manhunt

The FBI is closing several trails and roads near the Rock Island Campground outside Leavenworth as part of the search for Travis Decker.

www.wenatcheeworld.com

So they must think that he is still in the area, hiding out somewhere, or that he is no longer living and they are looking for a body so they can end the search. Since the campgrounds and roads aren't being closed until tomorrow at 6 p.m. and they are giving the public this advanced notice of the search starting tomorrow, I wonder if that means that they are not expecting that he is alive. Otherwise, would they give over 24 hours notice to the public of this thorough search that is planned?

 

[waitin'4thewrld2chg]

So they must think that he is still in the area, hiding out somewhere, or that he is no longer living and they are looking for a body so they can end the search. Since the campgrounds and roads aren't being closed until tomorrow at 6 p.m. and they are giving the public this advanced notice of the search starting tomorrow, I wonder if that means that they are not expecting that he is alive. Otherwise, would they give over 24 hours notice to the public of this thorough search that is planned?

Good point. I had kind of wondered about that, too. If looking for a living person, they would be banking a lot on no word reaching him.

 

[Gemmie]

Good point. I had kind of wondered about that, too. If looking for a living person, they would be banking a lot on no word reaching him.

Or, they weren't 100% tipping their hand and are keeping an eye out ever since the news came out to see if that flushes him out.

 

[FromGermany1]

Spokane, WA

National Weather Service

Monday-Wednesday, Chelan and Wenatchee: Very dangerous to anyone without proper hydration or adequate cooling.
-.-.-

I may be totally wrong geographically with these mentions.