Everything we know as manhunt for father continues after his three daughters were found dead following visit
Here's everything we know as a manhunt for a father continues after his three daughters were found dead earlier this month.
The horrific incident has been the subject of a police investigation for the best part of a month, but officials seem no closer to finding the suspect.
Whitney Decker called cops last on May 30 when her three daughters, Olivia, 5, Evelyn, 8, and Paityn, 9, failed to return home from a planned visitation with their father.
Her ex-husband, Travis Decker, was due to drop their daughters back at their home in Wenatchee, Washington State, but he was nowhere to be seen.
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Police later confirmed the tragic news all three of the little girls were found dead at Rock Island Campground, around 40 miles away from their home on June 2.
The girls' bodies were also found near to their father's white 2017 GMC Sierra truck, with Decker being charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, Wenatchee Police Department has confirmed.
What have the police said about the manhunt for Travis Decker?
Upon searching the vehicle, personal items such as blankets, food, car seats and a wallet were found, as well as two bloody handprints were found by police, reports The NY Post.
A large scale search operation was launched in the town of Leavenworth, the location where Decker's truck was seen.
Kittitas County Sheriff said in a statement on Tuesday 24 June: "At this time, there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area. Seemingly strong early leads gave way to less convincing proofs over the last two weeks of searching.
"Still, we can’t and won’t quit this search; Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker deserve justice. And Decker remains a danger to the public as long as he’s at large."
Law enforcement has urged the public not to approach Decker if they see him, stating he poses a 'significant risk' amid his military background.
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office later claimed that Decker may have 'disappeared into the forest around the Rock Island campground in Chelan County'.
The Sheriff's Office said last week: "Some search resources are being redirected to find and recover Decker if he died in the rugged wilderness during this intense search—a possibility that increases every day. Visible extra patrols continue in the area.
"The US Marshals service has turned their fugitive-finding resources to the task of finding Decker if he’s left our area."
Bereaved mom Whitney Decker speaks out
Whitney gave a speech about her daughters on June 20, as many gathered to mourn their passing at a service held in Wenatchee.
The crowd wore the girls’ favorite colors of purple, pink, and green at the emotional service.
"You all look beautiful, and I know [Evelyn] would have loved to ooh and ahh over all of your outfits," said the mother.
"After my divorce, there were a lot of feelings flowing through my house, as you can imagine - me going through a divorce with three small, tiny women."
Breaking down into tears, the mother added: "I'm so thankful for the time I had with the girls and how the three feelings allowed us to connect when the world slowed down.
"It really gave me an inside look into their day. I believe doing this with them allowed them to come into the world with open hearts and kindness."
Whitney's attorney, Arianna Cozart, recently shared that the mom wants her ex found 'dead or alive'.
"That’s a huge, a huge thing that she wants," said Cozart on NewsNation's Banfield on June 26. "It’s very, very important to her so that she can have peace."
The attorney added: "I don’t think she’s able to think that far ahead, because either way, it’s hard, right?
"I think that she knows that if he is found alive, he’ll never be able to answer the questions that she might have to a point where it would give her peace.
"I think that her main focus is just that he’s found one way or the other."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Callum Jones