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

A Washington father suspected of fatally suffocating his 3 little girls has an extensive military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has actually discovered - as police cautioned the general public not to approach him during their ongoing 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 visit.

As authorities search for Decker, who is believed to be psychologically unsteady, they warned locals that he might be harmful due to his military background.

Decker signed up with 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, confirmed to the Daily Mail.

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

Decker stopped participating in obligatory regular monthly drills a little over a year earlier, and the Guard remained in the process of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has advanced fight training and was an air-borne paratrooper who made the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have exceptional wilderness and survival skills, Fox 13 Seattle reported, citing social networks posts.

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

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of killing his children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he stopped working to return them back to their mother following a set up three-hour check out in Washington on Friday

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the women' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck at a camping site. Police believe the women died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files stated

'Due to safety concerns do not attempt to get in touch with or approach Decker,' cops stated.

'This is an absolute disaster,' the military spokeswoman 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 discovered the ladies' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from the truck. Police think the girls passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents stated.

Decker's truck also had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual products including blankets, food, automobile seats and a wallet on the center console.

The camping site likewise showed signs of recent activity, with a camping tent and a cooler situated a brief distance away, but Decker was no place to be discovered.

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

Detectives stated she 'revealed concern due to the fact that Decker reportedly has actually never ever done this before and ... is presently experiencing some psychological health issues.'

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

Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal products including blankets, food, cars and truck seats and a wallet on the center console

She likewise told police officials that Decker was detected with borderline character condition and thinks 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 therapy as part of a parenting strategy, but there was no sign he has followed through with the strategy - which he refused to sign, the court files reveal.

Still, Whitney informed police she did not think her ex threatened and stated he loved his children.

She stated the ladies had a 'great relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never ever failed to return the girls before, according to a cops affidavit.

She said 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 actually likewise presumably been discussing eliminating his pet due to housing and monetary battles.

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

'What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the women and had not interacted to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical style and so this was out of the normal,' 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 necessary monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard remained in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge

Washington State Patrol was gotten in touch with Friday night to ask for an Amber Alert, but it did not meet the required criteria, Wenatchee Police stated.

The doing not have criteria was suspected kidnapping and impending hazard 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 benefits, and the kids had not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical incident and not something where you just immediately assume abduction,' he said.

He included that there was no sign Decker would hurt them.

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

The following day, Wenatchee detectives called the patrol with additional info that resulted in the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).

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

Whitney also specified in September divorce proceedings that he had actually been 'having a hard time to keep stability' given that they separated and it was beginning to impact their children.

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

The ladies' mother said they had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never ever failed to return the women before

Whitney 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

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

She said that at times he would have the girls sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, in spite of her objections, according to the Seattle Times.

She likewise stated Decker was vulnerable to 'outbursts' and would enter into her home yelling for the girls, whom he would in some cases fail to get after assuring to do so.

In one instance, Whitney wrote that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her weeping during a see with Decker and stated she could not discover her dad - before Evelyn got back with welts between her legs.

'I do not desire to keep Travis from the girls at all,' Whitney wrote in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over backwards to help with that relationship.

'But I can not have our girls remaining in what is essentially a homeless shelter, sometimes not being watched, with lots of weird men or remaining in a tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperatures and unidentified areas for their safety.'

The women' maternal grandmother likewise wrote that Decker would drop off the girls at inconsistent times and they would in some cases be upset or crying when they returned home.

'They are all pleased, clever, well-adjusted ladies 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 also stated in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'struggling to preserve stability' since they were separated and it was beginning to impact their children

Whitney informed cops she did not think her ex threatened and said he enjoyed his children

Police is asking the general public for help to discover the father-of-three, however recommended residents not to approach him

Decker is described 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 nearly $366,000 since Wednesday early morning.

'These girls held true 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.