Three missing girls found dead near Icicle Road campground, father wanted for murder

LEAVENWORTH – Three missing children who left on a parental visit with their father on May 30 have been found deceased near Rock Island Campground up Icicle Road, according to an update from the Wenatchee Police Department. 

The search for their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker of the Wenatchee area, remains ongoing.

Decker is currently wanted for three counts of murder 1st degree and kidnapping 1st degree. It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk if approached. Decker is a former military member with extensive training. Any member of the public who believes they may have seen Decker since May 30 or may know of his current whereabouts are asked to call 911 immediately.

According to the Wenatchee Police Department, the three girls – Olivia Decker, 5, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Paityn Decker, 9 – were last seen around 5 p.m. on May 30, when they left their home with Decker for their planned visitation under a parenting plan. Decker is homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels, motels and campgrounds in the area. 

At approximately 3:45 p.m. on June 2, a Chelan County deputy located Decker’s vehicle unoccupied near the Rock Island Campground accessed by Icicle Road. After additional law enforcement searched the immediate area, the bodies of the three missing girls were discovered. Decker was not located. 

The search began on May 30, when the Wenatchee Police Department was alerted around 9:45 p.m. that the girls had not been returned following their visitation, causing alarm. Officers immediately began working to determine the whereabouts of Decker and the children. 

Based on initial information provided to patrol, all Wenatchee and East Wenatchee hotels were checked with no results. Vehicle information was entered into the Flock database, indicating the vehicle had traveled westbound on US-2 from Wenatchee on May 30.  Washington State Patrol (WSP) was contacted Friday night to request an AMBER Alert, but the situation did not meet the required criteria. On May 31, WSP was recontacted for an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA) to be issued.

The search continued throughout the weekend. Based on information with the assistance of the FBI Wenatchee Police and Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, detectives believed Decker and the girls were still in Chelan County.

The search area was narrowed to somewhere between Icicle Road and Chumstick Highway, and a warrant was obtained a warrant for Decker’s arrest was obtained by

Wenatchee Police detectives for 3 counts of Custodial Interference 1st degree.

Chelan County Deputies, detectives, Emergency Management and a Homeland Security helicopter continued the search into June 2. At approximately 3:45 p.m. that day, a Chelan County deputy located Decker’s unoccupied vehicle near the Rock Island Campground accessed by Icicle Road.

The East Cascade Regional SWAT Team was activated shortly after, responding to search the area. At the same time, the WSP Crime Scene Response Team (CSRT) was requested to handle processing of the crime scene including a search of Decker’s vehicle. Icicle Road was closed to public access at the start of the construction zone at approximately 7 p.m. that evening. Crime scene processing is expected to conclude sometime on June 3.

“We want to express our sincere and deep heartfelt condolences to the family at this time. We have been in close communication with the family at each step of the investigation,” the Wenatchee Police Department wrote in a press release.

The department’s detectives met with the family on the morning of June 2 for an update, and later requested them to return after the truck was located that afternoon. The family remained at the police department for the next several hours and received updated information from the scene as it became available.

“WPD, along with the other regional, state, and federal agencies are committed to working diligently to bring closure to this case,” the Wenatchee Police Department wrote.

The East Cascade Regional SWAT Team, U.S Border Patrol Tactical and Search Trauma Rescue Teams, and the Department of Homeland Security are currently conducting search operations for Decker, according to an update from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. Icicle Road continues to be closed to public access at mile post 4.

Travis Caleb Decker is 5’8”, 190 pounds, has black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. His date of birth is 8/15/1992. If seen, do not attempt to approach or contact Decker. Call 911 immediately.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media