A Washington daddy thought of fatally suffocating his three little women has a substantial military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has found out - as police warned the general public not to approach him during their ongoing manhunt.
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Travis Decker, 32, is accused of eliminating his children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were discovered at a campground in Leavenworth, after he stopped working to return them to their mom in Wenatchee following a scheduled three-hour see.

As authorities search for Decker, who is believed to be psychologically unstable, they alerted residents that he could be harmful due to his military background.

Decker joined the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before moving to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, communications director for the the Washington Military Department, verified to the Daily Mail.

He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time.

Decker stopped participating in compulsory month-to-month drills a little over a year back, and the Guard remained in the of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has advanced battle training and was an airborne paratrooper who made the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have exceptional wilderness and survival abilities, Fox 13 Seattle reported, pointing out social media posts.

It is unidentified if the veteran is currently equipped, however local law enforcement cautioned people from approaching him.

Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he stopped working to return them back to their mother following a set up three-hour visit in Washington on Friday

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the ladies' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck at a campsite. Police think the girls passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents stated

'Due to safety concerns do not attempt to contact or approach Decker,' authorities stated.

'This is an absolute disaster,' the military spokesperson told AP. 'We are grieving in addition to the neighborhood.'

Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday night after discovering Decker's truck.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from the truck. Police think the ladies died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents stated.

Decker's truck also had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal products consisting of blankets, food, automobile seats and a wallet on the center console.

The camping site likewise revealed indications of recent activity, with a camping tent and a cooler situated a short distance away, but Decker was nowhere to be discovered.

The girls' mom, Whitney Decker, who is separated from the veteran, told police that he had picked the girls up around 5pm however had actually not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went directly to voicemail, court documents said.

Detectives stated she 'expressed concern due to the fact that Decker supposedly has never done this before and ... is presently experiencing some mental health issues.'

The ladies' bodies were discovered around 38 miles from their mom's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities warn residents that he could be unsafe due to his military training

Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual products consisting of blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console

She also informed law enforcement officials that Decker was identified with borderline character disorder and believes he did not take medication for the condition, according to court files.

The father-of-three was supposed to seek psychological health treatment and anger management counseling as part of a parenting plan, however there was no indication he has actually followed through with the plan - which he declined to sign, the court files show.

Still, Whitney informed authorities she did not think her ex was unsafe and stated he liked his daughters.

She said the girls had a 'excellent relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had never stopped working to return the women before, according to a cops affidavit.

She stated when Decker went to select up the girls for an arranged three-hour go to on Friday, he was 'quieter than usual' which was 'out of character' for him.

He had actually likewise presumably been talking about getting rid of his pet dog due to housing and monetary struggles.

When Decker stopped working to return with the girls that night, Whitney reported them missing.

'What triggered her to call us was that ... he was late returning the girls and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his common style therefore this ran out the regular,' Captain Brian Chance stated.

Decker joined the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he changed to part-time. Decker stopped attending obligatory monthly drills a little over a year back, and the Guard was in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge

Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an Amber Alert, however it did not satisfy the needed requirements, Wenatchee Police stated.

The lacking requirements was presumed abduction and impending danger of death or major injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

'In this case, it was a parent with custodial benefits, and the kids had actually not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical occurrence and not something where you just instantly assume kidnapping,' he stated.

He included that there was no indicator Decker would hurt them.

'We're individuals too, you understand, so the loss of a child, the loss of 2 children, the loss of three children is ... devastating,' Loftis stated. 'Everybody constantly wants to how we can enhance.'

The following day, Wenatchee investigators called the patrol with additional info that resulted in the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).

State police later dropped the EMPA on Monday night without launching a public factor. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department announced the women' deaths.

Whitney also specified in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'struggling to maintain stability' since they separated and it was beginning to affect their daughters.

The girls' mother said that at times he would have the girls sleep at an armory while he remained in the National Guard, regardless of her objections

The girls' mom said they had a 'excellent relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had never ever failed to return the women before

Whitney said when Decker went to get the ladies for a set up three-hour check out on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him

When Decker failed to return with the girls that night, Whitney reported them missing out on

She said that sometimes he would have the women sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, regardless of her objections, according to the Seattle Times.

She likewise stated Decker was prone to 'outbursts' and would enter into her house shouting for the ladies, whom he would sometimes fail to get after assuring to do so.

In one circumstances, Whitney wrote that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her weeping throughout a check out with Decker and said she could not discover her father - before Evelyn came home with welts in between her legs.

'I do not wish to keep Travis from the women at all,' Whitney composed in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over backwards to facilitate that relationship.

'But I can not have our girls remaining in what is essentially a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with lots of strange men or remaining in a camping tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperatures and unknown locations for their security.'

The women' maternal granny similarly composed that Decker would drop off the women at inconsistent times and they would in some cases be upset or crying when they returned home.

'They are all happy, wise, well-adjusted girls with the exception of when Travis brings them back to me after his visitations,' she composed, according to the Seattle Times.

On Tuesday, a judge provided a warrant for Decker's arrest and bought he be held without bail.

Whitney also mentioned in September divorce procedures that he had been 'struggling to maintain stability' given that they were separated and it was starting to impact their children

Whitney informed cops she did not think her ex was harmful and said he loved his daughters

Law enforcement is asking the general public for aid to find the father-of-three, but encouraged residents not to approach him

Decker is explained as 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, with black hair used in a ponytail and brown eyes.

He is charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe established for Whitney had raised nearly $366,000 as of Wednesday early morning.

'These girls held true light in this world and it is a darker location without them. I will miss seeing their sweet little faces,' a note on the fundraising page read.
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'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Spend some time to today to tell somebody you like them.'

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