The Likely Cause of Death for Travis Decker’s 3 Daughters Was Revealed. It’s Chilling

The likely cause of death for the three daughters of missing father Travis Decker has been revealed.

A massive manhunt is underway for Decker, who sheriff’s officials believe murdered the three girls. They are Olivia, 5; Evelyn, 8; and Paitlyn, 9. The girls disappeared after being transferred to their father for a visitation.

Decker, who is divorced from the girls’ mom Whitney Decker, is at large. He is a native of Pewaukee, WI.

The release of the likely cause of death paints a chilling picture of the girls’ last moments. Be forewarned that it’s very disturbing. There is a GoFundMe page set up to help the girls’ mother. There is also a Facebook group devoted to remembering the girls with positive stories.

A preliminary report filed with Chelan County Superior Court in Washington State revealed that the three girls “appeared to have died from asphyxiation,” Fox13 reported.

According to NCWLIFE, extremely disturbing police affidavits filed in court further say that the “girls’ wrists appeared to have been zip-tied and their heads hooded with plastic bags…They were wearing the same clothing they had on when they left their mother’s home.” They were found down an embankment near Rock Island Campground, the site reported.

The Facebook group devoted to remembering the girls has many heartfelt tributes to them.

“I coached Paityn in baseball and basketball. She was such an athlete and I was looking forward to watching her play FC soccer with my daughter this summer. Not all kids have grit but Paityn did. She tried hard and she wanted to win,” wrote one man on the comment thread.

“We went to church together and I got to play with Paityn & Evelyn at the nursery! I loved seeing the girls on Sundays with their matching outfits!” a woman wrote.

“Okay, first of all, they were the most well-behaved, polite kids in the world. I called them the sunshine kids because they was always just so smiley and happy to be there,” read another tribute.

“A joint operation including regional, state, and federal law enforcement agencies continues in Chelan County in search of Travis Decker. Travis is suspected of kidnapping and murdering his three young daughters this past weekend,” the Chelan County Sheriff’s Department wrote in a statement.

“A reward of up to $20,000 is available for information leading directly to Mr. Decker’s arrests. The suspect is not known to be armed at this time, but should be considered dangerous,” authorities added.

According to Fox 13, the documents say that Decker’s vehicle was found near the bodies “with two bloody handprints, and had personal items such as blankets, food, car seats and a wallet on the center console.” A tent and cooler were nearby at a campsite, the television station reported.

CCSO detectives and deputies “were able to gather information that led them to search the Icicle Rd area of Leavenworth, WA in hopes of locating Travis Decker and his three daughters,” the Sheriff’s Department wrote. “Around 3:45 p.m. yesterday (June 2), a CCSO Forest Service Deputy, conducting patrol on his motorcycle, located Mr. Decker’s vehicle in a remote area, approximately 17 miles up the road, ultimately discovering the three deceased children and Mr. Decker was nowhere to be found.”

Decker “is currently wanted for 3 counts of Murder 1st degree and Kidnapping 1st degree,” the Sheriff’s office continued. “Decker is a former Military with extensive training. If you have seen him, or believe to have seen him, within the last several days, please contact 911. It is unknown if he is armed at this time but he should be considered dangerous and should not be contacted or approached.”

The Sheriff’s Department released this information on Decker:

• Travis Caleb Decker 8/15/1992

• 5’8” 190lbs, Black hair, brown eyes.

• Last seen wearing light colored shirt and dark shorts,

On Friday, May 30 at 9:45 p.m., the Wenatchee Police Department “responded to a Civil Complaint. The mother of three young girls reported her daughters not being returned following a planned visitation with their father. The girls involved were ages nine, eight, and five years old. The father of the children has been identified as 32-year-old Travis Decker, of the Wenatchee area,” the agency wrote.

Related: Whitney Decker Shared New Details in Horrific Murder Case of 3 Girls

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The Likely Cause of Death for Travis Decker’s 3 Daughters Was Revealed. It’s Chilling first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jun 4, 2025