Washington law enforcement officials said on Sunday that they remain active near the last believed location of Travis Decker, the man accused of killing his three daughters.
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the Kittitas County Regional Tactical Response Team are active in the border areas of the county near Decker’s last believed location, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
Newsweek reached out to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office via email for comment.
The Context
The case began on May 30, 2025, when Decker, 32, picked up his daughters—9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia—for a court-ordered visitation in Washington state, but did not return them as scheduled. Their mother reported the children missing that evening, prompting a large-scale search by law enforcement.
On June 2, the bodies of all three girls were found near Rock Island Campground, with Decker’s abandoned truck also discovered near the scene. Court documents obtained by Seattle’s KOMO News stated the girls had plastic bags over their heads, and their wrists appeared to be zip-tied. Preliminary autopsy results identified asphyxiation as the cause of death.
The case has garnered national attention and sparked a search across rugged Washington wilderness areas, drawing extensive involvement from local, state and federal authorities.
What To Know
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has asked everyone, especially those in the northern parts of the county, to remain alert for “suspicious people or circumstances.”
Decker, a former U.S. Army soldier, has been described by officials as a skilled outdoorsman.
Court documents obtained by KOMO News stated that Decker had recently researched relocating to Canada and had sought information on job opportunities in Canada.
The search effort has involved the Washington National Guard, federal agencies and hundreds of tips from the public. A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Decker’s arrest.
Arianna Cozart, an attorney for the children’s mother, Whitney Decker, previously told Newsweek that Whitney did not observe any unusual behavior from Travis when he came to pick up the girls on May 30.
“If there had been any concerning behavior, Whitney would not have allowed the visitation,” Cozart said.
Whitney has repeatedly said that the lack of mental health resources for veterans failed Travis, herself and her children, according to Cozart.
Newsweek reached out to Cozart via email for additional comment.
What People Are Saying
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, Sunday on Facebook: “To all the men and women in law enforcement who are apart from their families this Father’s Day: Thank you for your work to seek justice for the victims in this incident and to keep our community safe.”
Attorney Arianna Cozart, referring to Whitney Decker in comments to Newsweek: “I think she is still reeling from losing her entire world. She is strong and kind and wants this tragedy to spur change and save lives. That is what is driving her right now.”
What Happens Next
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office said that anyone who sees Decker should call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about him or the investigation can contact Kittcom at 509-925-8534.
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