A Washington father accused of killing his three daughters had pleaded with a judge for more time with them just months before their deaths.
In newly obtained court audio, 32-year-old Travis Decker is heard requesting extended visits with his daughters—Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5. At the time, Travis and his ex-wife, Whitney Decker, were going through a divorce, and she had filed to change their custody agreement.
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In court filings, Whitney described Travis as “unstable” and said he lived a transient lifestyle without consistent housing. Despite this, he defended his ability to parent, telling the judge during a Sept. 27, 2024, hearing that he had taken the girls camping since they were in diapers. “I don’t believe my weekends should be taken away,” he said. “We’ve never done anything that was unsafe.”
But authorities now say he’s the main suspect in the triple homicide. The girls were found dead on June 2, days after he picked them up and didn’t return them. Police believe he suffocated them on May 30 and then fled, possibly heading toward Canada.
During the hearing, Whitney’s lawyer, Arianna Cozart, said, “We’re not trying to take these children away from Mr. Decker.” She added that Whitney just didn’t want the girls living out of a truck or in someone’s backyard.
Court records show Travis had been living out of an RV, his truck, campsites, motels, and even an armory in Wenatchee. Whitney claimed the girls cried on the phone during stays at the armory, and she asked the court to stop overnight visits.
Travis argued that his lifestyle taught the girls about the world. “I understand my current position isn’t ideal, but my daughters aren’t a part of that,” he told the judge.
Judge Robert Jourdan agreed with Whitney’s concerns, noting Travis’ lifestyle was “not stable.” He approved the parenting plan changes.
When asked to sign the updated agreement, Travis reportedly responded, “My signature doesn’t matter anyway, right? So if I don’t sign it, then…”
As of the latest update, officials tracked Decker to the Blewett Pass area near Highway 97. The U.S. Border Patrol, FBI, National Guard, and U.S. Marshals are all involved in the search.
Travis Decker faces three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his daughters.
