The National Guard has joined a significant manhunt in Washington State for Travis Decker, the man suspected of killing his three young daughters. Search efforts have ramped up with over a hundred law enforcement officers scouring the central and northern parts of the state, as Mr. Decker is believed to have wilderness survival skills that may enable him to evade capture for an extended period.
Travis Decker reportedly kidnapped his daughters—5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 9-year-old Paityn—on May 30. Tragically, their bodies were discovered on Monday near a campsite, approximately 70 miles east of Seattle. Authorities noted that each child had a plastic bag over her head, as stated in police affidavits from Wenatchee, where the girls lived with their mother.
In response to the unfolding situation, large areas of wilderness where the girls’ remains were found have been sealed off to the public. The U.S. Forest Service has closed certain trails, roads, and campsites within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Additionally, the National Park Service has implemented closures in parts of the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, which is located just north of the national forest.
While this incident undoubtedly casts a shadow over the community, the active and collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, including the National Guard, signify a strong resolve to locate Decker and seek justice for the young victims. Such determination can provide hope to the community as they navigate this tragic situation.