The Wenatchee Police Department said 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker were found dead. (Wenatchee Police Department)
Wenatchee, Wash.
Thousands of people have come together to help support a Washington mother whose three little girls were allegedly killed by their father.
Amy Edwards, a close friend of the mother, Whitney Decker, says she set up a GoFundMe to support her fellow dance mom following the tragic loss of her daughters.
“I’ve known Whitney for years, we’re both dance moms and theater friends. We’ve spent this year as dance moms together, with my daughter Maisy and Whitney’s daughter Evelyn both performing on the Fabulous Feet Dance Rockstars team,” Edwards shared.
Decker’s daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found dead on Monday, with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, being named as the suspect in their murders.
Authorities said the situation started last Friday, when Whitney Decker reported that Travis Decker did not return with the girls after a planned visit.
Over the weekend, police looked for the children and their father, who was believed to be living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup with Washington plates.
Police said Travis Decker’s truck was later found on Monday near the Rock Island Campground, about 20 miles away from Wenatchee.
The Wenatchee Police Department confirmed the bodies of the children were also found near the campground.
“On May 30th, the girls were reported missing after a scheduled visitation with their father. We are heartbroken to share that the girls have since passed,” Edwards wrote in the fundraiser.
Court documents obtained by KCPQ and KIRO say that the girls likely died from asphyxiation.
Loved ones have thanked the community and those who have reached out to the Decker family in their time of need, helping raise more than $1 million.
“Their loss is unimaginable, but the compassion we’ve received from this community and beyond has brought light into this darkness,” Edwards shared in an update on Friday. “Thank all of you for the incredible outpouring of love and for continuing to hold Whitney close in your hearts.”
Multiple agencies said they are continuing their search for Travis Decker. Anyone who has seen him or knows his current location has been asked to call 911.
He is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with black hair in a ponytail and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts.
Authorities are also urging anyone who sees Travis Decker to not approach him for safety reasons. Police said he may be armed and is a veteran with extensive training.
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest.