{"id":188,"date":"2025-06-24T13:04:21","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T17:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/?p=188"},"modified":"2025-06-24T13:04:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T17:04:21","slug":"grieving-mom-of-3-girls-allegedly-killed-by-dad-travis-decker-breaks-her-silence-they-were-incredible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/2025\/06\/grieving-mom-of-3-girls-allegedly-killed-by-dad-travis-decker-breaks-her-silence-they-were-incredible\/","title":{"rendered":"Grieving Mom of 3 Girls Allegedly Killed By Dad Travis Decker Breaks Her Silence: \u2018They were incredible\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Katie Vogel \/ Facebook | Inset: KING 5 Seattle \/ YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A grieving mother is opening up with love and courage after the devastating loss of her three precious daughters.<\/p>\n

Whitney Decker gave her first public remarks at a memorial service held at Rocky Reach Park in Wenatchee, Washington, honoring the lives of her daughters\u2014Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5\u2014who were allegedly murdered by their father during a court-approved visitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were incredible,\u201d Whitney said through tears to a crowd of thousands who gathered to mourn and remember the young sisters.<\/p>\n

Whitney shared how, after her divorce from Travis Decker in 2022, she and her girls made a habit of talking about their feelings each night before bed. \u201cAfter my divorce, there were a lot of feelings flowing through my house\u2014especially with three small, tiny women,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n

She went on to explain how those quiet nighttime conversations gave her insight into the hearts of her daughters. \u201cWhen the world slowed down, it gave me an inside look at their day,\u201d she said. \u201cI believe doing this with them allowed them to come into the world with open hearts and kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mother\u2019s words painted a picture of three beautiful lives filled with love and promise\u2014lives cut tragically short.<\/p>\n

Travis Decker, a 32-year-old homeless Army veteran, had taken the girls on Friday, May 30, for a scheduled custody visit. When he failed to return them that evening, Whitney contacted the authorities. A few days later, on June 2, the girls were found suffocated with plastic bags on their heads and zip ties on their wrists at Rock Island Campground, not far from Travis\u2019 abandoned truck.<\/p>\n

Officials later confirmed that all three sisters died from suffocation. The shocking and heartbreaking case has prompted a nationwide manhunt, as Travis Decker remains missing. Whitney\u2019s attorney, Arianna Cozart, told People that Travis had long struggled with mental health issues, including paranoia and borderline personality disorder. She also said she fears Travis may have taken his own life.<\/p>\n

Chelan County Sheriff Michael Morrison warned that some \u201cmisguided\u201d individuals might try to help Travis avoid capture. \u201cI mean, he\u2019s accused of murder\u2014not just once, but three times\u2014and he is a danger,\u201d the sheriff said.<\/p>\n

Despite the pain, Whitney ended her remarks at the memorial with gratitude for those who\u2019ve supported her during this unimaginable time. \u201cI truly hope that the legacy of the girls\u2019 lives lives on in everyone\u2019s heart forever,\u201d she said. \u201cThank you for your outpouring of love.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the search for Travis continues, this grieving mother clings to the memory of her daughters, three innocent lives that radiated love, light, and kindness.<\/p>\n

Heavenly Father, our hearts break for Whitney and her family as they walk through this valley of sorrow. We ask that You surround them with Your presence, bringing peace that passes all understanding. Wrap Whitney in Your love\u2014hold her close when the grief feels unbearable. Bring her comfort in her memories, strength for each day, and hope for the future. In Jesus\u2019 name we pray, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A grieving mother is opening up with love and courage after the devastating loss of her three precious daughters. Whitney Decker gave her first public remarks at a memorial service held at Rocky Reach Park in Wenatchee, Washington, honoring the lives of her daughters\u2014Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5\u2014who were allegedly murdered by their…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":197,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGrieving Mom of 3 Girls Allegedly Killed By Dad Travis Decker Breaks Her Silence: \u2018They were incredible\u2019<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whitney Decker gave her first public remarks at a memorial service in Washington for her three slain daughters.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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