Sinister Military Record of 'killer' Dad Wanted For Murdering Girls

A Washington daddy suspected of fatally suffocating his 3 little women has a substantial military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has found out - as authorities cautioned the public not to approach him during their continuous manhunt.

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were found at a campsite in Leavenworth, after he stopped working to return them to their mom in Wenatchee following a set up three-hour see.

As authorities search for Decker, who is thought to be psychologically unstable, they cautioned residents that he might be hazardous due to his military background.

Decker joined the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before moving to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, interactions director for the the Washington Military Department, validated to the Daily Mail.

He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time.

Decker stopped participating in compulsory regular monthly drills a little over a year earlier, and the Guard remained in the process of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has actually advanced combat training and was an airborne paratrooper who made the elite rank of 'Ranger,' showing he would have excellent wilderness and survival abilities, Fox 13 Seattle reported, mentioning social networks posts.

It is unidentified if the veteran is currently armed, however regional law enforcement cautioned individuals from approaching him.

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of killing his children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he stopped working to return them back to their mom following an arranged three-hour check out in Washington on Friday

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the ladies' bodies about 75 to 100 lawns from Decker's truck at a camping site. Police think the ladies passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files said

'Due to safety concerns do not attempt to get in touch with or approach Decker,' police said.

'This is an absolute catastrophe,' the military spokesperson informed AP. 'We are mourning along with the neighborhood.'

Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday night after discovering Decker's truck.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the ladies' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from the truck. Police think the ladies died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents stated.

Decker's truck likewise had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual items including blankets, food, automobile seats and a wallet on the center console.

The camping site likewise revealed signs of recent activity, with a tent and a cooler located a brief distance away, but Decker was no place to be found.

The women' mother, Whitney Decker, who is divorced from the veteran, informed cops that he had actually chosen the ladies up around 5pm however had actually not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court files said.

Detectives stated she 'revealed concern since Decker supposedly has never done this before and ... is presently experiencing some mental health issues.'

The ladies' bodies were found roughly 38 miles from their mother's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities warn locals that he might be dangerous due to his military training

Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal products including blankets, food, cars and truck seats and a wallet on the center console

She also told police officials that Decker was detected with borderline personality disorder and believes he did not take medication for the condition, according to court documents.

The father-of-three was supposed to look for mental health treatment and anger management therapy as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no sign he has actually followed through with the plan - which he refused to sign, the court files show.

Still, Whitney informed authorities she did not believe her ex threatened and said he enjoyed his daughters.

She said the women had a 'great relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never ever failed to return the women before, according to a police affidavit.

She stated when Decker went to select up the ladies for a scheduled three-hour check out on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him.

He had actually likewise allegedly been talking about eliminating his pet dog due to housing and financial battles.

When Decker stopped working to return with the girls that night, Whitney reported them missing out on.

'What triggered her to call us was that ... he was late returning the ladies and had actually not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his normal style and so this ran out the normal,' Captain Brian Chance stated.

Decker signed up with the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard up until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped participating in necessary regular monthly drills a little over a year back, and the Guard remained in the process of a disciplinary discharge

Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an Amber Alert, however it did not fulfill the required requirements, Wenatchee Police stated.

The doing not have requirements was believed kidnapping and impending hazard of death or major injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

'In this case, it was a parent with custodial advantages, and the children had not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical event and not something where you just automatically presume kidnapping,' he said.

He included that there was no indication Decker would damage them.

'We're people too, you know, so the loss of a kid, the loss of two kids, the loss of 3 kids is ... devastating,' Loftis stated. 'Everybody always seeks to how we can enhance.'

The following day, Wenatchee detectives called the patrol with extra information that caused the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).

State authorities later on dropped the EMPA on Monday night without launching a public reason. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department announced the girls' deaths.

Whitney also stated in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'struggling to maintain stability' because they separated and it was beginning to impact their children.

The girls' mother said that at times he would have the women sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, in spite of her objections

The women' mother stated they had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never stopped working to return the women before

Whitney said when Decker went to get the women for an arranged three-hour go to on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him

When Decker stopped working to return with the women that night, Whitney reported them missing

She said that sometimes he would have the ladies sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, regardless of her objections, according to the Seattle Times.

She also said Decker was prone to 'outbursts' and would enter her home yelling for the ladies, whom he would sometimes fail to select up after guaranteeing to do so.

In one circumstances, Whitney composed that her youngest child, Olivia, called her sobbing during a go to with Decker and said she might not discover her daddy - before Evelyn got home with welts in between her legs.

'I do not wish to keep Travis from the girls at all,' Whitney wrote in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over in reverse to help with that relationship.

'But I can not have our girls remaining in what is basically a homeless shelter, at times without supervision, with lots of strange guys or remaining in a camping tent or living in his truck with him, both in extreme temperatures and unidentified locations for their safety.'

The ladies' maternal granny similarly composed that Decker would drop off the girls at inconsistent times and they would often be upset or weeping when they returned home.

'They are all happy, clever, well-adjusted ladies with the exception of when Travis brings them back to me after his visitations,' she composed, according to the Seattle Times.

On Tuesday, a judge released a warrant for Decker's arrest and purchased he be held without bail.

Whitney likewise stated in September divorce proceedings that he had been 'struggling to keep stability' given that they were separated and it was beginning to impact their daughters

Whitney told authorities she did not think her ex was unsafe and said he enjoyed his children

Police is asking the general public for aid to discover the father-of-three, however advised residents not to approach him

Decker is described as 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, with black hair used in a ponytail and brown eyes.

He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe established for Whitney had actually raised almost $366,000 as of Wednesday early morning.

'These women were real light in this world and it is a darker location without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces,' a note on the fundraising page read.