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

A Washington father thought of fatally suffocating his 3 little women has an extensive military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has actually learned - as authorities alerted the general public not to approach him throughout their ongoing manhunt.

Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were discovered at a campground in Leavenworth, after he stopped working to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following a set up three-hour check out.

As authorities search for Decker, who is thought to be psychologically unstable, they cautioned locals that he could be dangerous 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 was in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge.

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

It is unknown if the veteran is presently armed, but regional law enforcement cautioned people from approaching him.

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he stopped working to return them back to their mom following a set up three-hour see in Washington on Friday

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 backyards from Decker's truck at a campsite. Police think the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files said

'Due to security concerns do not try to get in touch with or approach Decker,' authorities stated.

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

Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday evening after finding Decker's truck.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the girls' 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 files stated.

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

The campground likewise showed indications of recent activity, with a tent and a cooler situated a short range away, but Decker was nowhere to be found.

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

Detectives stated she 'expressed concern due to the fact that Decker apparently has actually never done this before and ... is presently experiencing some psychological health problems.'

The ladies' bodies were discovered approximately 38 miles from their mom's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities alert residents that he could be dangerous due to his basic training

Decker's truck had two bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual products consisting of blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console

She likewise informed law enforcement authorities that Decker was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and believes he did not take medication for the condition, according to court files.

The father-of-three was supposed to look for psychological health treatment and anger management counseling as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no indication he has actually followed through with the strategy - which he declined to sign, the court files reveal.

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

She stated the women had a 'great relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had actually never ever stopped working to return the girls before, according to a police affidavit.

She stated when Decker went to get the ladies for an arranged three-hour go to on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him.

He had actually likewise supposedly been speaking about getting rid of his pet due to housing and monetary struggles.

When Decker failed to return with the ladies that night, Whitney reported them missing out on.

'What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the ladies and had not interacted to her that he was going to be late, which was his common fashion and so this was out of the common,' Captain Brian Chance stated.

Decker joined the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard till 2023 or 2024, when he changed to part-time. Decker stopped participating in obligatory monthly drills a little over a year earlier, and the Guard was in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge

Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an Amber Alert, but it did not meet the needed criteria, Wenatchee Police stated.

The lacking requirements was suspected kidnapping and imminent danger of death or severe injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

'In this case, it was a moms and dad with custodial opportunities, and the kids had actually not been returned home on time. But that's a rather common incident and not something where you just instantly assume abduction,' he stated.

He added that there was no indicator Decker would harm them.

'We're individuals too, you know, so the loss of a child, the loss of two children, the loss of three children is ... ravaging,' Loftis said. 'Everybody constantly looks to how we can enhance.'

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

State police later dropped the EMPA on Monday evening without releasing a public reason. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department announced the ladies' deaths.

Whitney also specified in September divorce procedures that he had been 'struggling to keep stability' given that they separated and it was beginning to affect their daughters.

The ladies' mom stated 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 ladies' mom stated they had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had never stopped working to return the girls before

Whitney stated when Decker went to select up the women for an arranged three-hour see 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 stated 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 likewise stated Decker was vulnerable to 'outbursts' and would come into her house screaming for the women, whom he would sometimes fail to get after assuring to do so.

In one instance, Whitney composed that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her sobbing during a see with Decker and stated she might not find her dad - before Evelyn came home with welts between her legs.

'I do not wish to keep Travis from the ladies at all,' Whitney composed in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over in reverse to facilitate that relationship.

'But I can not have our ladies remaining in what is essentially a homeless shelter, sometimes unsupervised, with dozens of weird males or staying in a camping tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperatures and unknown locations for their security.'

The girls' maternal grandma similarly wrote that Decker would drop off the women at inconsistent times and they would often be upset or sobbing when they returned home.

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

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

Whitney likewise mentioned in September divorce procedures that he had been 'having a hard time to maintain stability' because they were separated and it was starting to impact their daughters

Whitney informed police she did not believe her ex threatened and stated he liked his daughters

Police is asking the public for help to find the father-of-three, but recommended locals not to approach him

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

He is charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

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

'These girls 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.