Binh Nguyen didn’t think much of it when his neighbor, Travis Decker, stopped by for a casual backyard chat last Friday.
It was nothing out of the ordinary—just a father picking up his daughters.
But looking back, Nguyen says something about Decker’s behavior was off. He kept asking the same question repeatedly, almost like he was stuck in a loop.
What Nguyen didn’t know then was that this would be the last time anyone saw Decker’s daughters alive.
Days later, the unimaginable happened: the three little girls—Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5)—were found dead at a remote campsite in Washington.
Now, their father is missing, and investigators believe he’s responsible for their deaths.
A Father on the Run and a Community in Shock
Travis Decker, a former Afghanistan veteran with specialized commando training, has vanished into the wilderness, triggering a widespread manhunt.
Authorities say the girls were zip-tied and likely suffocated—details that have left the local community reeling.
Police located Decker’s truck near Rock Island Campground on Monday.
Not far from it, about 75 to 100 yards away, they discovered the girls’ lifeless bodies.
His vehicle contained haunting signs of what had unfolded—bloody handprints, personal belongings, and a packed interior that included blankets, food, and car seats.
But Decker himself? Gone.
A Friendly Neighbor’s Perspective Turns Painful
Nguyen, who lived just a few yards from the Deckers’ modest home in Washington’s “apple capital,” had built a friendly relationship with the family.
He recalled sweet gestures from the children over the years. Evelyn once made him a bracelet as a thank-you for mowing their lawn.
Paityn wrote his son a heartfelt card with a crumpled $1 bill inside, saying she was still learning how to write.
But beyond the innocence of childhood, Nguyen had seen warning signs from their father.
He once spotted both Decker and his now-ex-wife Whitney with visible injuries: Whitney had her arm in a sling, and Decker’s face was severely bruised.
When asked about it, Decker blamed allergies.
Whitney’s Struggles Behind the Scenes
According to Nguyen, Whitney had once confided in him about the abuse she endured.
She told him Decker had beaten her and had begun to unravel mentally.
That eventually led to their divorce.
Despite her challenges, Nguyen described Whitney as a devoted mother.
She worked two jobs, went to college, and tried to give her daughters the best life—enrolling them in dance classes and even taking them to Disney World.
Still, Whitney never imagined their father would pose a danger to their lives. She believed he loved his daughters.
In fact, she told police that the girls enjoyed their time with him and that he’d never missed a return before—until that Friday.
Strange Behavior and an Ominous Weekend
When Decker arrived to pick up his daughters at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nguyen noted he looked different—thinner, unshaven, with longer hair.
During their brief conversation, he repeatedly asked Nguyen how he was doing, forgetting that he’d already asked.
Later that weekend, Whitney texted Nguyen asking if he could get someone to move a car parked in front of her house.
She wanted a clear view “in case Travis comes.” It was the first subtle sign that something wasn’t right.
Still, no one expected the news that came next. Whitney confirmed the worst in a heartbreaking text: “They found their bodies. They can’t find Travis.”
Nguyen said he broke down crying. “How do they die?” he asked. She replied simply: “I’m not sure yet.”
A History of Struggles and Missed Red Flags
According to court records, Decker had a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder but didn’t appear to be receiving treatment.
As part of a custody agreement, he was supposed to attend counseling and anger management, but there’s no evidence he followed through.
Whitney had warned the court that Decker was becoming unstable, sometimes making the girls sleep in an armory or a tent.
In one disturbing account, Olivia called Whitney crying, unable to find her dad, and Evelyn later returned home with welts on her body.
Despite everything, Whitney still tried to maintain a co-parenting relationship.
“I do not want to keep Travis from the girls at all,” she wrote in court documents, emphasizing that she bent over backwards to keep the father-daughter bond intact.
But she also feared for their safety—especially when he kept them in unstable, unsupervised settings.
A Family Shattered, a Community Left Reeling
Even Whitney’s mother had noticed the girls returning home upset after visits with Decker.
Yet no one truly believed this nightmare was possible.
Despite the warning signs, despite the reports, despite the concerns—no one predicted it would end like this.
Now, with a judge issuing a warrant for Decker’s arrest and ordering him held without bail if found, law enforcement continues their search.
Helicopters have been deployed, and the surrounding area remains under close watch.
What Comes Next?
As authorities continue their manhunt for Travis Decker, the community is left to pick up the pieces.
Friends, neighbors, and strangers alike are mourning the loss of three vibrant little girls whose lives were cut tragically short.
There are still so many questions left unanswered.
How could this have happened? Were there more opportunities to intervene?
And—perhaps most hauntingly—where is Travis Decker now?
The search continues, and with it, a plea from everyone involved: may justice come swiftly, and may the memory of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia never fade.