Whitney Decker has accused her ex-husband, Travis Decker, of murdering their three daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5—after a scheduled visitation in Washington state. Whitney had warned authorities of his deteriorating mental health and begged for an Amber Alert when he failed to return the girls, but was told the situation didn’t qualify. The girls were found dead three days later at a campground, zip-tied and suffocated with plastic bags. Travis, a former Army Ranger with severe PTSD and borderline personality disorder, remains at large and is considered highly dangerous.
Whitney’s attorney, Arianna Cozart, described the murders as preventable, criticizing law enforcement for failing to act despite signs of danger. Cozart believes Travis suffered a mental break and emphasized that his uncharacteristic behavior—like missing visitation returns and discussing selling his dog due to financial strain—should have prompted intervention. She argues that although he made no explicit threats, the context warranted immediate concern.
Court documents reveal a pattern of instability. Whitney had previously reported troubling incidents, including one where Evelyn came home with welts and another where Olivia couldn’t find her father during a visit. Decker was known for erratic behavior, having once let the girls sleep in an armory. Despite this, Whitney had supported his relationship with the girls—until it became unsafe.
Authorities found Decker’s truck near the crime scene, along with personal belongings and bloody evidence. His military background, including elite survival training, complicates the ongoing manhunt. He is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
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