The attorney representing the mother of the three girls who police allege were murdered by their father believes he is no longer alive as the manhunt for him enters its fourth day.
Travis Decker, 32, was accused by police of killing Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after they were discovered dead near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash. on June 2, according to PEOPLE.
According to a preliminary report filed with the Chelan County Superior Court, officials believe the girls died as a result of asphyxiation.
According to Wenatchee police, Travis, who had picked up the girls for a “planned visitation” on May 30, was not present and has been missing since. At the time, police stated that Travis was “homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or campgrounds in the area.” They also mentioned that he had prior military experience but were unsure whether he was armed.
“[Travis] probably killed himself up there somewhere,” says Arianna Cozart, an attorney who represents the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker.
Since the discovery of the girls’ bodies, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation, has been searching neighboring counties for Travis and has executed several search warrants in the area and on his electronic devices.
“Everybody cares that Travis is found for peace of mind if nothing else,” according to Cozart.
According to Cozart, “Travis was a present and active father up until the end” but was dealing with mental health issues that strained his and Whitney’s seven-year marriage, which ended in 2022.
“Although Travis was struggling with his own mental health, he was a good co-parent, always communicating frequently with Whitney up until Friday evening when the girls went missing,” she recalls.
Travis, an Army veteran, sought mental health treatment but was unable to obtain it, according to the attorney. Travis’ declining mental health began to impact his parenting, prompting Whitney to limit Travis’ visitation, according to a September 2024 court filing reviewed by PEOPLE.
According to the filing, he was allowed to visit his daughters for three hours on Fridays and eight hours every other weekend as long as he remained in Wenatchee Valley. He was not granted overnight visits. The schedule was only temporary due to the court process, Cozart claims.
After the girls were reported missing, the Washington State Patrol issued an endangered missing person alert for the sisters, which does not send cellphone alerts like an Amber Alert, which Whitney believes could have resulted in a different outcome, according to The Seattle Times, citing Cozart.
“[Whitney’s] so strong and she said repeatedly to law enforcement, the thing I want most out of this situation is for this to be fixed, the Amber Alert System and the mental health resources for veterans,” Cozart divulges to PEOPLE.
The attorney also stated that Travis was “never violent with Whitney or the girls.”
According to police, Travis is wanted on charges of murder, kidnapping, and custodial interference.
Authorities are requesting that anyone who sees Travis call 911 immediately and not approach him. People can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or send information to the line.
