Cadaver dog to hunt for Travis Decker, girls' mother speaks publicly for first time

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6 days ago

As the hunt intensifies for a Washington-state father wanted in connection to the killings of his three school-age daughters, the girls' mother spoke publicly about the children for the first time since their deaths.
"I truly hope that the legacy of the girls' lives lives on in everyone's heart forever," Whitney Decker said through tears during a June 20 memorial service for her daughters, Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5. "They were incredible."
The girls' mother reported them missing May 30, after the siblings left their central Washington home for a planned custody visit with their father, the Wenatchee Police Department reported. Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle.
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office reported a deputy found the girls lifeless with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied.
The joint local, state and federal multi-jurisdictional hunt for Decker continued after deputies discovered the girls' bodies on June 2 at Rock Island Campground.
The girls' father, 33-year-old U.S. Army veteran Travis Decker, is wanted on charges including three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping in connection to their deaths.
On June 23, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said Decker remained at large as the case entered week four and day 22 of operations.
"(U.S.) Marshals are following up on leads and we continue to conduct joint operations with (nearby) Kittias County," Morrison told USA TODAY. "Additional air operations will take place over the next couple of days inserting specialized search teams into more inaccessible areas."
A cadaver dog, the sheriff said, was also set to deploy this week.
In video shot by KIRO-TV, the grieving mother stood at a podium before a crowd in a lavender dress with a cardigan wrapped around her shoulders.
She recalled how daily her daughters shared three emotions with her −one sibling always making a point to ask her how she felt.
Emotions, Whitney Decker said, that "allowed them to have such warm and open hearts to the community."
"I know Evelyn would have loved to ooh and aah over all your outfits. She would have been amazed by all the color out there," the mother said. "Paityn would have sought each and every one of you out to try to find something to give you a compliment for....
"I'm so thankful for that time I had with the girls," Decker said.
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A motive in the killings remained under investigation.
The girls' father was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time they vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached."Court filings obtained by USA TODAY say Travis Decker reportedly exhibited mental health issues before the girls' deaths.
Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8" and weighing 190 pounds.He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts.
He should not be approached.
Anyone who sees him or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit their information online at https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [e-mail] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Whitney Decker speaks; cadaver dog to hunt for Travis Decker