A Washington father thought of fatally suffocating his three little girls has a substantial military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has discovered - as authorities cautioned the general public not to approach him during their ongoing manhunt.

Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were found at a campground in Leavenworth, after he stopped working to return them to their mom in Wenatchee following a scheduled three-hour visit.

As authorities search for Decker, who is thought to be mentally unstable, they warned residents that he could be unsafe due to his military background.

Decker signed up with the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, interactions director for the the Washington Military Department, verified to the Daily Mail.

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

Decker stopped attending compulsory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard remained in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has advanced fight training and was an air-borne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' suggesting he would have excellent wilderness and survival abilities, Fox 13 Seattle reported, mentioning social media posts.

It is unidentified if the veteran is currently armed, however regional law enforcement cautioned individuals from approaching him.

Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of killing his children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he failed to return them back to their mom following a set up three-hour check out in Washington on Friday

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the women' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck at a campground. Police believe the women passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files stated

'Due to safety concerns do not attempt to get in touch with or approach Decker,' police said.

'This is an outright disaster,' the military spokeswoman informed AP. 'We are mourning in addition to the community.'

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

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the women' bodies about 75 to 100 lawns from the truck. Police think the ladies passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files said.

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

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

The women' mother, Whitney Decker, who is divorced from the veteran, told cops that he had selected the women up around 5pm but had actually not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court documents stated.

Detectives said she 'expressed issue due to the fact that Decker supposedly has never ever done this before and ... is presently experiencing some mental health concerns.'

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

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

She likewise informed law enforcement authorities that Decker was identified with borderline character condition and thinks he did not take medication for the condition, according to court files.

The father-of-three was supposed to look for psychological health treatment and anger management counseling as part of a parenting plan, but there was no sign he has followed through with the strategy - which he declined to sign, the court documents reveal.

Still, Whitney told police she did not believe her ex was hazardous and stated he loved his children.

She said the girls had a 'great relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had actually never failed to return the women before, according to an authorities affidavit.

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

He had likewise apparently been discussing eliminating his pet due to housing and financial battles.

When Decker failed to return with the women that night, Whitney reported them missing.

'What triggered her to call us was that ... he was late returning the ladies and had actually not interacted to her that he was going to be late, which was his normal style and so this ran out the normal,' Captain Brian Chance stated.

Decker signed up with the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard up until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped participating in mandatory month-to-month drills a little over a year earlier, and the in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge

Washington State Patrol was called Friday night to request an Amber Alert, but it did not fulfill the needed requirements, Wenatchee Police stated.

The doing not have criteria was presumed abduction and impending hazard of death or severe injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

'In this case, it was a parent with custodial privileges, and the kids had not been returned home on time. But that's a rather common event and not something where you simply automatically presume abduction,' he stated.

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

'We're individuals too, you understand, so the loss of a kid, the loss of 2 children, the loss of three children is ... ravaging,' Loftis said. 'Everybody always looks to how we can enhance.'

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

State police later on dropped the EMPA on Monday evening without releasing a public reason. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department announced the girls' deaths.

Whitney also stated in September divorce proceedings that he had actually been 'having a hard time to maintain stability' considering that they separated and it was starting to affect their children.

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

The girls' mother said they had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never failed to return the girls before

Whitney stated when Decker went to get the women for an arranged three-hour see on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him

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

She said that sometimes he would have the ladies sleep at an armory while he remained in the National Guard, despite her objections, according to the Seattle Times.

She likewise said Decker was susceptible to 'outbursts' and would come into her house screaming for the ladies, whom he would often stop working to choose up after promising to do so.

In one circumstances, Whitney wrote that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her weeping during a check out with Decker and said she might not find her daddy - before Evelyn got back with welts between her legs.

'I do not wish to keep Travis from the ladies at all,' Whitney wrote in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over in reverse to help with that relationship.

'But I can not have our girls remaining in what is basically a homeless shelter, at times not being watched, with dozens of strange males or remaining in a tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperatures and unknown areas for their security.'

The ladies' maternal granny similarly composed that Decker would drop off the ladies at irregular times and they would sometimes be upset or weeping when they returned home.

'They are all delighted, clever, well-adjusted ladies 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 issued a warrant for Decker's arrest and ordered he be held without bail.

Whitney also mentioned in September divorce procedures that he had been 'having a hard time to maintain stability' considering that they were separated and it was beginning to affect their children

Whitney told police she did not think her ex was hazardous and said he loved his daughters

Law enforcement is asking the general public for assistance to find the father-of-three, however recommended locals not to approach him

Decker is referred to 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 almost $366,000 as of Wednesday early morning.

'These ladies were real light in this world and it is a darker location without them. I will miss out on seeing their sweet little faces,' a note on the fundraising page read.
reddit.com
'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and assistance. Spend some time to today to inform someone you like them.'

Afghanistan