Tragic Murder Case Involving Three Young Sisters and Their Father
Investigation Underway in Washington State as Father Faces Murder Charges
Authorities are investigating a heartbreaking case following the discovery of the bodies of three young sisters—Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia Decker (5)—in Washington State. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, has been charged with three counts of murder after police found the girls deceased near his abandoned vehicle on Monday afternoon.
A Concerned Mother
Whitney Decker, the girls’ mother, had expressed growing concerns about her ex-husband’s mental health and stability in custody documents filed ahead of their divorce proceedings. Originally, the couple’s separation in November 2022 seemed amicable; however, by September 2024, Whitney was seeking significant changes to their custody arrangement. She cited Travis’s "long-term emotional or physical problem" hampering his parenting abilities and raising alarm over the impact on their daughters.
In her statements, Whitney described increasingly distressing behaviors exhibited by the girls at the time of drop-offs and phone calls with their father. She noted moments of screaming and crying that illustrated the emotional turmoil Travis’s instability had caused. In a poignant declaration, she emphasized that while Travis is a veteran who loves his daughters, he needs to address his issues for their well-being.
Whitney also raised red flags regarding Travis’s homelessness, revealing that he had been living in a National Guard Armory with the girls sleeping on mattresses. She requested that overnight visits be suspended until he found stable housing, which the court ultimately granted.
Ominous Precedents and Legal Actions
Despite Whitney’s concerns and the court-ordered evaluations—including anger management and a psychiatric assessment—Travis resisted changes to the custody arrangement. He failed to comply with the requirements laid out by the court, including refusing to sign the modified custody agreement.
Initially charged with custodial interference for not returning the girls after a planned visitation, Travis Decker’s circumstances turned dire, culminating in the shocking murder charges that now loom over him. Investigators have yet to disclose the specifics regarding how the children died.
As this case develops, the community mourns a devastating loss, grappling with the implications of familial strife and the critical importance of mental health care.
Inquiries remain open as authorities search for Decker, who is still at large. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the far-reaching effects of mental health issues within families, particularly on vulnerable children.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.