The Story of the Wandering Children at the Train Station

The children you see are the result of the love between Travis and Whitney. According to reports, they met online while Travis was stationed at the Joint Army Force Base in Washington. Since the day they met, they had been inseparable. Travis eventually married Whitney in Washington.

The couple later moved to Italy, where Travis was assigned. For two years, they called that country their home. But like many military families, the Deckers had to relocate again when Travis was transferred to a military base in Georgia. After two years, the Decker family moved once more when Travis was assigned to another U.S. base.

As they kept moving and gaining experience in the Army, their family also grew. They had three children: Paytin, Evelyn, and Olivia. When the kids reached school age, Travis and Whitney agreed it was best for Whitney and the children to stay in Washington state, where raising them would be easier for her—especially since their relatives lived there.

Even though Whitney raised the children alone, the couple’s relationship remained strong. Whenever Travis was deployed, he made sure to call and stay connected with his family, never forgetting to greet them on special occasions. Whitney was known to be a strong and devoted mother.

The siblings reportedly attended a school in Wenatchee, Washington. In addition to being active in sports, the three often performed in musical theater and were part of a program called “Short Shakes Experience.” They also loved dancing and were enrolled at the Fabulous Fit Dance Studio. The siblings were described as friendly and always smiling.

Whenever Travis was on vacation, he made sure to be an involved father. In photos, you could see his pride and joy when spending time with his kids. Based on these pictures, one might think that despite life’s challenges, Whitney and Travis were managing their family well.

Travis had been deployed abroad several times for work. Eventually, he decided to retire. His honorable discharge was good news for Whitney, as they could finally live together after years of separation. They settled in the Wenatchee Valley.

Mothers at school who knew the Decker family described Travis as a hands-on father—always present at soccer practices, dance recitals, and school events. From the outside, their family appeared picture-perfect. That’s why many were shocked when Travis and Whitney separated.

They kept their separation private—so much so that even close relatives didn’t know the reason. Reports say Whitney was granted custody of the children. Whitney’s family was deeply saddened, as she had always wanted a whole and happy family for her kids.

Despite the separation, Travis and Whitney co-parented peacefully. Even though Travis no longer lived with them, he never missed important events in his children’s lives. It was a seemingly ideal co-parenting setup.

However, just this past month, authorities launched a massive manhunt to find Travis. Because of his Army background, his parents believed he could easily survive in the wilderness on his own.

Authorities warned the public not to try and apprehend him if spotted—he was considered highly dangerous due to his military training. While the manhunt spread, people rallied behind Whitney, donating more than $1.1 million. But no amount of money could ever replace the loved ones who gave her strength to live.

News of the Decker family tragedy quickly went viral—not only in the U.S. but also abroad. Many couldn’t understand how someone like Travis, who appeared in perfect family photos, was hiding such a dark secret.

According to his colleagues, Travis was quiet but hardworking. He idolized his father, a Green Beret—a highly trained elite member of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces. Travis had longed to follow in his father’s footsteps but never made it into Special Forces.

After retiring, the family lived in a simple home in Wenatchee. To his young children, Travis was a perfect dad. But to Whitney, her husband had changed. Frequent arguments eventually led to their divorce.

Contrary to speculation, there was no third party. Travis himself filed for divorce, believing he was unworthy of Whitney’s love. Whitney’s religious relatives urged her to stay and work it out, but she could no longer handle the emotional strain.

After finalizing the divorce, Travis moved out, and they agreed Whitney was better suited to care for the children full-time.

In 2023, Travis tried to rebuild his life, but adjusting to civilian life after decades in the Army proved difficult. Although people thanked him for his service, he struggled. Still, he was admired for never missing special events, rain or shine.

Whitney said they remained in communication—not because of lingering feelings, but to fulfill their roles as parents. He visited his kids often, taking them to malls, parks, and other places.

Then came May 30 of the past month. As per agreement, Travis picked up the kids. Whitney kissed them goodbye, and Travis promised to return them by 8:30 PM. But by 9:35 PM, they had not returned.

Whitney called the police. Numerous calls to Travis’s phone went unanswered—it went straight to voicemail. Authorities quickly traced his vehicle crossing the Wenatchee Bridge minutes after picking up the kids.

They contacted hotels and motels nearby. Rangers at Confluence State Park were alerted. Despite all efforts, Travis and the children were nowhere to be found.

Investigators sent out an “Attempt to Locate” alert. No Amber Alert was issued because Whitney told police she didn’t believe Travis would harm the kids.

Instead, an “Endangered Missing Persons Alert” was issued at 4 PM on May 31. On June 2, at 3:56 PM, police found Travis’s truck at Rock Island Campground.

But instead of relief, they were devastated. Paytin, Evelyn, and Olivia were all dead.

Their bodies were found roughly 100 yards from their father’s truck. Near the vehicle were a firepit and cooler. Travis was missing.

Authorities found bloody handprints on the truck’s tailgate, zip ties, and plastic bags. The children’s hands had been bound, and plastic bags were wrapped around their heads.

According to the coroner, the cause of death was asphyxiation.

Even without knowing them, reading the court documents was heartbreaking. One can only hope their final moments were quick—unlike the children of Chris Watts, who cried “Daddy” while being strangled.

The story spread rapidly. On June 3, authorities announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to Travis’s arrest. They warned the public not to approach him due to his Army training.

Travis’s father said his son could survive anywhere due to his survival skills. As the manhunt expanded, even national parks and forests were closed.

Details from the divorce papers revealed that Travis had severe mental health issues. Whitney did her best to support him, even contacting Veteran Affairs (VA). But they received no help.

They couldn’t afford medication or therapy, as every cent went to rent, food, and their children’s needs. Travis only slept three hours a night, often waking drenched in sweat, screaming—signs of PTSD.

Eventually, he filed for divorce, not wanting to burden his family. After moving out, he lived in his truck. Despite this, he and Whitney co-parented effectively.

In September 2024, Whitney asked a judge to limit Travis’s visitation. She cited his worsening mental health and its impact on the children.

The judge ruled in her favor: Travis could only see the kids for three hours on Fridays and eight hours every other weekend, within Wenatchee Valley.

Though ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation, Travis didn’t comply. It was left to Whitney to determine the limits of their interactions.

Despite all this, court records show Whitney and Travis remained friends. In a public statement, Whitney defended her ex, blaming Veteran Affairs for failing to help him.

She said that if VA had supported him, her children would still be alive. But investigators believed Travis knew exactly what he was doing.

Prosecutors said the murders were premeditated. One piece of evidence: Travis’s Google searches days before the abduction, including “how to relocate to Canada.”

The campsite was close to the Canadian border, suggesting possible escape plans.

As of this recording, no one knows where Travis is. But the Washington governor, along with local police, FBI, state troopers, and even the National Guard, vowed to bring him to justice.