Autopsy results have confirmed that 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 9-year-old Paityn Decker died by suffocation, fueling a desperate manhunt for their father, Travis Decker.
Court documents reveal plastic bags were found over the girls’ heads and zip ties on their wrists. The sisters disappeared following a routine visit last Friday, and their bodies were found June 2 near a Leavenworth-area campground.
Federal agencies have taken over the manhunt, though local authorities continue to lead the criminal investigation. Evidence recovered at the scene is under analysis, and new forensic data is guiding investigators while also raising additional questions.
Blood found at the scene has tested positive for a male, and further samples have been identified as nonhuman. The family dog, also located during the search, was handed over to a humane society for care.
To maintain the integrity of the investigation, Chelan County Sheriff officials said they have shifted search leadership to federal authorities. Local teams are being rotated out to rest before resuming efforts, while the criminal case remains in the county’s hands.
Advocates for children’s safety are calling for reform in family courts. Child welfare expert and campaigner Maralee McLean highlighted systemic failures in visitation rulings and expressed concern that domestic court decisions have placed lives at risk.
McLean shared her own experience, describing how seeking stricter limits on her ex-husband’s contact led to her losing parental rights. She used her platform to warn that dangerous visitation privileges are an urgent national issue. “It’s epidemic numbers,” she said, calling for broad media coverage and legal accountability.
Travis’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, expressed shock, describing her ex-husband through her lawyer as a devoted parent. Her attorney noted there were no evident signs of danger, and Travis remained involved in the girls’ extracurriculars and daily care.
Earlier efforts by Whitney’s legal team resulted in reduced visitation due to concerns in late 2023. Conditions prevented overnight stays and travel outside Wenatchee. Still, her lawyer stressed that blaming Whitney or the courts is “folly” and unhelpful to the grieving community.
A GoFundMe for the Decker family has raised nearly $1.2 million. Authorities thanked the public for their understanding, noting sensitive details could not be shared to protect the ongoing investigation.
