Three months on from the disappearance of Travis Decker, the father of three girls he is presumed to have murdered, police have released a heartbreaking statement from his ex-partner.
Whitney Decker sounded the alarm to report her children, Olivia, five, Evelyn, eight, and Paityn, nine, as missing on May 30, after they failed to return home following a court-ordered trip to see their father. Decker was supposed to drop his daughters back home in Wenatchee, but failed to show up.
A widespread search came to a grisly end when the bodies of Olivia, Evelyn, and Paityn were found on June 2 at Rock Island Campground. The children are believed to have died of asphyxiation, with DNA testing having honed in on Decker as the sole suspect.
The US Army veteran is now wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
In an effort to find further evidence, the FBI has taken the lead on an ongoing search at the campground. On Monday, August 25, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office shared an update, confirming that the FBI is spearheading the search for additional evidence.
Chelan County Sheriff Michael Morrison stated: ”Beginning today, Monday, August 25, through Tuesday, August 26, the FBI Seattle Office will be leading federal, state, and local agencies in conducting a coordinated search near Rock Island Campground outside of Leavenworth, Washington.”
Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Peter Orth explained that nearly 100 personnel from the FBI and partner agencies are combing the area, hoping to uncover clues that could lead to Decker or additional information about the murders.
“The goal is to seek justice for Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia,” Orth said at a press conference. “We want answers for their family, friends, and the community, and hope to provide some measure of closure.”
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Mike Morrison this this week provided another update, confirming that he recently spoke to the mother of the victims, Whitney, about the ongoing manhunt for her ex-partner.
Morrison said: “We understand the frustration. We’re feeling it as well.
“We understand that the girls wouldn’t want us to give up, but I did talk last night with Whitney over the phone.”
The police chief described Whiney as being “frustrated” by the situation.
“Of course, she wants the kind of closure where we can locate Travis and bring him to justice,” Morrison said.
Whitney has in the passed stated her desire to see Decker found “dead or alive” so that she can get closure.
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