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

A Washington dad presumed of fatally suffocating his 3 little ladies has an extensive military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has learned - as authorities cautioned the public not to approach him throughout their continuous manhunt.

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of eliminating his children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were found at a camping site in Leavenworth, after he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following a set up three-hour go to.

As authorities look for Decker, who is believed to be psychologically unsteady, they warned residents that he could be hazardous due to his military background.

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

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

Decker stopped going to compulsory month-to-month drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has advanced fight training and was an airborne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' showing he would have outstanding wilderness and survival skills, Fox 13 Seattle reported, citing social media posts.

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

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

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

'Due to safety concerns do not try to call or approach Decker,' police said.

'This is an outright tragedy,' the military spokesperson informed AP. 'We are grieving along with the neighborhood.'

Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday night 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 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal items including blankets, food, car seats and a wallet on the center console.

The campground likewise showed indications of current activity, with a camping tent and a cooler situated a brief distance away, however Decker was nowhere to be found.

The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, who is divorced from the veteran, informed police 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 stated.

Detectives said she 'revealed issue since Decker reportedly has actually never done this before and ... is presently experiencing some psychological health concerns.'

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

Decker's truck had two bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal items consisting of blankets, food, vehicle seats and a wallet on the center console

She also told law enforcement officials that Decker was detected with borderline character disorder and thinks he did not take medication for the condition, according to court files.

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

Still, Whitney informed police she did not think her ex was hazardous and said he liked his daughters.

She said the ladies had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had actually never stopped working to return the ladies before, according to an authorities affidavit.

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

He had likewise presumably been discussing getting rid of his pet due to housing and monetary struggles.

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

'What triggered her to call us was that ... he was late returning the girls and had not interacted to her that he was going to be late, which was his normal fashion and so this was out of the normal,' Captain Brian Chance said.

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 switched to part-time. Decker stopped attending mandatory regular monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge

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

The doing not have requirements was believed abduction and impending danger of death or serious 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 children had not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical incident and not something where you just instantly presume abduction,' he stated.

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

'We're people too, you know, so the loss of a kid, the loss of two children, the loss of 3 kids is ... devastating,' Loftis said. 'Everybody constantly aims to how we can enhance.'

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

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

Whitney also mentioned in September divorce proceedings that he had been 'having a hard time to maintain stability' given that they separated and it was starting to affect their daughters.

The women' mom stated that at times he would have the women sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, regardless of her objections

The girls' mom stated they had a 'great 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 said when Decker went to get the ladies for a scheduled three-hour check out on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' which was 'out of character' for him

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

She stated that at times he would have the girls sleep at an armory while he remained 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 girls, whom he would in some cases fail to get after promising to do so.

In one instance, Whitney composed that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her sobbing throughout a visit with Decker and stated she could not find her daddy - before Evelyn came home with welts between her legs.

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

'But I can not have our girls remaining in what is essentially a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with lots of odd males or remaining in a tent or living in his truck with him, both in extreme temperature levels and unknown locations for their security.'

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

'They are all delighted, wise, well-adjusted women 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 provided a warrant for Decker's arrest and bought he be held without bail.

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

Whitney told authorities she did not believe her ex was harmful and stated he enjoyed his daughters

Law enforcement is asking the general public for assistance to discover the father-of-three, however recommended locals not to approach him

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

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

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up for Whitney had raised nearly $366,000 as of Wednesday early morning.

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