Police Share New Pics Of Dad Who Suffocated Three Daughters, His Search History And Likely Hideout

Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office in Washington, D.C. has released new images of the wanted man charged with murdering his three daughters along with information on where they suspect him to be hiding.

The 32-year-old former Army paratrooper, Travis Decker, who is the subject of a manhunt, was last seen on Friday, May 30, when he collected his daughters from their mother’s home in Wenatchee.

The images include CCTV stills of the ponytailed fugitive in shorts and sandals, while others depict the man’s identifying tattoos on his arms and ankle.

Officials have also indicated their suspicion that the individual was hiding along America’s border with its northern neighbor, Canada.

Police say the man is armed and dangerous 

Man with beard wearing a cap outdoors under blue sky, featured in police search related to suffocated daughters case.

Image credits: Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

On a wanted poster posted to the Okanogan County Sheriff Office’s Facebook page, the law enforcement organization writes: 

“In cooperation and assistance to Chelan County Sheriff’s Office these Wanted Notices will be posted throughout our communities.”

The notice, which includes four headshots of the man, depicts him bearded, wearing a hat, and, in others, clean–shaven with short hair.

Mother with three daughters outdoors in autumn, related to police investigation of dad who suffocated three daughters.

Image credits: Whitney Decker

It describes the Decker as 5-foot-8, weighing around 190 lbs. with black hair in a ponytail and tattoos on both arms.

“Confirmed armed and dangerous,” the poster says, warning citizens against trying to “contact or approach him,” and advises them to call 911 immediately if they see him.

Police think he is hiding out along the border with Canada

Man with a ponytail wearing a beige shirt with number 59, shown in police photos related to criminal investigation.

Image credits: Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

Chelan County police, collaborating with the neighboring Okanogan officials, have since indicated that they suspect the fugitive is hiding in the woods along the country’s northern international border with Canada. 

They arrived at the conclusion after gaining search warrants for property and electronic devices belonging to the veteran and found that he had Googled search phrases like “how does a person move to Canada”, “how to relocate to Canada”, and “jobs Canada.”

As a nod to this, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Department has since warned residents in the area accordingly.

“Residents, particularly those on the west side of Okanogan County and in remote or seasonal areas, are urged to remain vigilant. Decker is still considered dangerous and potentially armed.”

The girls were found suffocated with their hands zip-tied

Police release images of suspect dad linked to suffocation of three daughters and investigation of his search history and hideout.

Image credits: Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

Decker popped up on the police’s radar on Friday, May 30, after his ex-wife, Whitney, called on law enforcement to put out an AMBER alert for him and their three daughters.

Decker, who had collected them, was only supposed to have them for three hours, but did not return.

The Wenatchee Police Department initially refused Whitney’s request, stating that the situation did not meet the missing persons requirements.

Shirtless man wearing sunglasses and a cap, showing tattoos, related to police search and likely hideout keywords.

Image credits: Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

When neither of the four was heard from by 9 PM the same night, police started taking the complaint seriously.

The daughters, Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5), were only found the next Monday (June 2), deceased, with their hands tied at the Rock Island Campground. 

An examination of their bodies indicated that they had been suffocated with plastic bags.

Decker’s mental health situation could be hard

Three young girls smiling and playing on an orange inflatable, related to police share new pics of dad case.

Image credits: Whitney Decker

Speaking to Seattle’s KIRO 7, Whitney said Decker’s “mental health can be hard sometimes.”

According to the Daily Mail, individuals close to him have indicated that he suffers from post-traumatic stress and a personality disorder. 

This affliction became pronounced after he stopped his military service.

“He clearly had some sort of break and everything that he had been living with, everything that had been bottled up inside of him for so long as far as trauma, just won out,” a lawyer representing her told the Seattle Times.

“We may never know if it could’ve meant the difference between life and death for those girls … but it could’ve made a huge difference.”

Social media is aghast at girls’ demise

Woman and three young girls posing by a lake, related to police sharing new pics of dad who suffocated three daughters.

Image credits: Whitney Decker

One Facebooker took issue with the Police’s refusal to put out the AMBER alert earlier.

“If the law prevented this from happening, it should be changed to prevent future events.”

Another user pointed to the country’s prevailing mental health issues among veterans and wrote:  

“Mental Health is real. These poor innocent babies paid the price. The VA is terrible at letting veterans get the help they need.”

“May Travis Caleb Decker be located immediately and face the justice deserved.” commented another user.

But some, like the user who wrote: “he probably already took his own life!” believe authorities are looking for a deceased man.

There is growing amount of support for the mother

Screenshot of a tweet describing a tragic case related to a dad who suffocated three daughters and the investigation details.

Image credits: neilgannon13

Screenshot of a social media reply expressing grief over a dad who suffocated three daughters and police search updates.

Image credits: Fan22Fever

Tweet expressing sympathy and heartbreak about a tragic case involving a dad who suffocated three daughters.

Image credits: DawnBauer1111

Screenshot of a tweet expressing grief about the dad who suffocated three daughters and police sharing his search history.

Image credits: and_kell

Screenshot of tweet expressing hope police catch the dad who suffocated three daughters, referencing his search history and hideout.

Image credits: KatrinKemmler1

Screenshot of a tweet from Child OverWatch expressing anger about the police sharing new pics of a dad linked to a crime.

Image credits: child_overwatch

Screenshot of a social media reply calling the man who suffocated three daughters a monster, expressing disgust.

Image credits: TerriOkie1

Tweet from Morgana Blue expressing sorrow over dad who suffocated three daughters and discussing search for likely hideout.

Image credits: MorganaBwrites

Screenshot of a social media reply expressing concern about the dad who suffocated three daughters and is still at large.

Image credits: deeann_siems

Screenshot of a Twitter reply expressing emotional response to police sharing new pics of dad who suffocated three daughters.

Image credits: GeorgiaFlipper

Screenshot of a Twitter user expressing shock over the dad who suffocated three daughters in a tragic case.

Image credits: Fuldaoriginal

Screenshot of a tweet discussing the search for a dad who suffocated three daughters and his likely hideout location.

Image credits: cmshelton2021

Tweet expressing shock over a father who suffocated three daughters, mentioning police search history and likely hideout details.

Image credits: american3rthlg

Screenshot of a social media reply calling a person absolutely evil in response to a tragic police case update.

Image credits: plumnely

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!