Cause of death revealed for 3 sisters who vanished while visiting homeless dad, found dead in campground
The three young sisters allegedly killed by their homeless father in Washington likely died from asphyxiation.The Decker sisters’ — Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 — cause of death was revealed in a preliminary report filed with the Chelan County Superior Court, according to a Fox 13 report published Tuesday.The girls’ bodies were found at around 5 p.m.Monday, close to their father’s white 2017 GMC Sierra truck near the Rock Island Campground in Wenatchee — about three hours east of Seattle.AMBER alerts for the sisters were canceled late Monday before police confirmed the girls’ deaths Tuesday morning.Law enforcement continues the hunt for their dad and suspected killer, Travis Decker, who’s wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.After Decker, 32, picked up the girls from their home on Friday, their mother, Whitney Decker, said calls to his phone went straight to voicemail after he was scheduled to return them.
She immediately contacted the Wenatchee Police Department, concerned for their safety.His truck was seen later that weekend in the west end of Leavenworth, triggering a police search in the wooded areas around the town.Hours before the bodies were found, a warrant was issued for Decker’s arrest on three counts of first-degree custodial interference before the murder and kidnapping charges were added.Decker — a military veteran with extensive training — is homeless and has been divorced from his children’s mother for several years.He was known to stay at campgrounds and hotels in the local area with his dog.Decker’s cell phone activity revealed he drove to and left the campground a day before kidnapping his daughters, court documents obtained by Fox 13 show.The alleged killer’s truck was found with two bloody handprints.Blankets, food, car seats, and a wallet were also found in his vehicle.The campsite near the truck showed signs it had been recently used when police found it, according t...