Authorities are urgently searching for Travis Caleb Decker, a 32-year-old former Army Ranger and father of three, who is now the prime suspect in one of Washington state’s most heartbreaking criminal cases in years. Decker is wanted for the murder of his three young daughters—Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5)—and may be attempting to flee to Canada through remote wilderness routes.
The tragedy has shaken communities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, sparking a full-scale manhunt involving over 100 law enforcement officers, the U.S. Marshals, and the National Guard. The case has gripped the nation not just for its cruelty, but for its chilling planning—and the terrifying possibility that Decker may still be hiding in the vast backcountry near the U.S.–Canada border.
A Father’s Visit Turns Deadly
The nightmare began during a court-approved visitation on May 30, 2025, when Decker picked up his three daughters from their home in Washington state. The girls were supposed to return home that evening—but they never did. Their mother raised the alarm the next day, and a missing persons alert was issued on May 31.
Tragically, on June 2, the search ended in heartbreak when the bodies of the three sisters were discovered near Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Washington—roughly 11 miles from the Pacific Crest Trail. Nearby was Decker’s abandoned truck, left behind with disturbing clues inside: bloody handprints, a blanket, food wrappers, and the girls’ car seats. His wallet was also found at the scene, but Decker himself was nowhere in sight.
Authorities revealed that Decker had visited the campsite the day before the murders, indicating that the location was deliberately chosen in advance.
A Calculated Escape?
The evidence suggests Decker may have planned this horrific act and his subsequent disappearance well before the murders took place. Between May 26 and 29, just days before the girls went missing, Decker reportedly conducted a series of Google searches that have alarmed investigators. His queries included phrases such as:
- “how to relocate to Canada”
- “jobs in Canada”
- “crossing the border without ID”
- and visits to Canadian job sites
The proximity of the crime scene to the Pacific Crest Trail—a rugged, 2,650-mile-long hiking route that runs from California to the Canadian border—has fueled theories that Decker is using his military and survival skills to vanish into the wilderness, possibly aiming to cross into Canada on foot.
Who Is Travis Caleb Decker?
Born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Decker served in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2021, including time with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment and a deployment to Afghanistan. He later joined the Washington National Guard, where he continued to receive advanced training in wilderness survival, navigation, and combat tactics.
Decker has a documented history of mental health struggles, including diagnoses of borderline personality disorder and PTSD. His ex-wife had recently obtained a protection order, citing escalating concerns over his mental state. Sources close to the family say Decker had become increasingly erratic and paranoid in the weeks leading up to the tragedy.
A State on High Alert
Law enforcement officials are treating Decker as armed and extremely dangerous. Chelan County and surrounding areas have closed multiple trails—including large stretches near the Pacific Crest Trail—to aid in the search and to protect civilians.
Residents in central and northern Washington, as well as communities near the U.S.–Canada border, are being urged to stay vigilant, secure their properties, and report any sightings immediately. Authorities stress that Decker is trained to live off the land and may avoid populated areas altogether.
So far, more than 100 officers, including wilderness trackers, canine units, and drone surveillance teams, have joined the search, combing miles of rugged terrain and dense forests.
$20,000 Reward Offered
In a desperate effort to capture Decker before he crosses the border or disappears deeper into the wilderness, officials have announced a $20,000 reward for any credible information that leads to his arrest.
Posters bearing Decker’s photo and vital information have been distributed across Washington state and Canada. While no confirmed sightings have been reported as of June 8, tip lines remain open 24/7.
Decker is described as 6’1”, 195 pounds, with short brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone who may have seen him—particularly near trailheads, remote towns, or border crossings—is urged to come forward.
Do not approach Decker under any circumstances. If you have seen someone matching his description or know anything about his whereabouts, contact local authorities or the U.S. Marshals Service immediately.
This ongoing case has not only devastated a family but also prompted a wider conversation about mental health, custody, and warning signs that are too often overlooked. As communities mourn the loss of three innocent lives, the search continues—relentlessly—to bring Travis Caleb Decker to justice.
