What was supposed to be a short, supervised visit turned into an unimaginable nightmare — and the man at the center of it all is still on the run.

Three young sisters — Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia Decker (5) — were found murdered at a secluded campsite in Washington state after a visit with their father. Now, a manhunt is underway for 32-year-old Travis Decker, a military veteran and the girls’ non-custodial parent, who is the prime suspect.

A Tragic Turn

The girls were last seen during a court-approved three-hour visit with Decker. When they didn’t return, their mother reported them missing. Days later, their bodies were found in a wooded area near Rock Island Campground, around three hours east of Seattle.

Investigators believe Decker suffocated the girls, whose bodies were discovered with plastic bags over their heads and zip ties around their wrists. The evidence at the scene pointed to a planned outing — their dad’s truck was nearby, loaded with snacks, blankets, and car seats.

But Decker had vanished.

A Mother’s Worst Fears Realized

The girls’ mother, Whitney, is devastated. “I never thought he could do something like this,” she told local news station KIRO 7. “He had his struggles, but he loved them.”

Still, court documents reveal a more troubling picture. Decker had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and wasn’t taking his prescribed medications. He had refused therapy and anger management, which were conditions of his custody arrangement.

Whitney had long raised concerns about the girls’ safety during visits, including incidents where they were left sleeping in tents or cars and sometimes went unsupervised. On one occasion, their youngest daughter called crying because she couldn’t find her father. Another time, Evelyn came home with unexplained bruises.

“I’ve tried to support their relationship with him,” Whitney wrote in a court filing. “But I can’t let them live like this — it’s not safe.”

Charges Filed, Search Intensifies

Decker is now charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. Law enforcement has issued a nationwide warrant for his arrest, warning the public not to approach him if spotted.

“We don’t know where he is,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. “But we’re pulling out all the stops to bring him in.”

Local police are being supported by federal agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and Homeland Security. Drones have been deployed to scan the mountainous terrain along Icicle Road, a popular spot for hikers and campers.

Sheriff Morrison issued a direct message to Decker: “Travis, if you’re hearing this — turn yourself in. Do the right thing. We will not stop looking.”

Mourning Three Young Lives

The community of Wenatchee, WA, is heartbroken. On Tuesday night, over 300 people gathered in Memorial Park to grieve, pray, and remember Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia.

Children blew bubbles into the air. Soft music played in the background. Handwritten messages from local kids covered tables, including one note that read: “I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve this.”

“These girls brought joy wherever they went,” said Pastor Mike Wilson during the vigil. “Now their absence leaves a pain too deep for words.”

A GoFundMe set up to support Whitney and her family has already raised more than $350,000, with thousands of Americans sharing their grief, support, and outrage online.

The Fugitive Father

As of Wednesday morning, Decker remains at large. He’s described as 5’8″, about 190 pounds, with long black hair (often in a ponytail) and brown eyes. He may be camping or hiding out in motels, and was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts.

Authorities are urging anyone with tips to call law enforcement immediately — and to avoid any direct contact with him.

A Painful Wake-Up Call

This case is a sobering reminder of how quickly things can go from troubled to tragic — especially when signs of danger are ignored or minimized. It raises serious questions about how our systems handle mental illness, custody battles, and child protection.

As the country mourns three innocent girls, one question remains front and center: how do we make sure something like this never happens again?