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A Washington daddy believed of fatally suffocating his three little ladies has a comprehensive military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has actually learned - as authorities cautioned the general public not to approach him during their ongoing manhunt.

Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of killing his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were found at a campground in Leavenworth, after he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following an arranged three-hour see.

As authorities search for Decker, who is thought to be mentally unstable, they warned residents that he could be hazardous due to his military background.

Decker signed up with the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, interactions director for the the Washington Military Department, confirmed to the Daily Mail.

He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time.

Decker stopped participating in compulsory monthly drills a little over a year earlier, and the Guard remained in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has actually advanced fight training and was an air-borne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' showing he would have outstanding wilderness and survival skills, Fox 13 Seattle reported, pointing out social networks posts.

It is unknown if the veteran is currently equipped, however cautioned people from approaching him.

Travis Decker, 32, is implicated of killing his children, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he failed to return them back to their mother following a set up three-hour see in Washington on Friday

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the women' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck at a camping site. Police think the women passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said

'Due to security issues do not attempt to get in touch with or approach Decker,' authorities stated.

'This is an absolute catastrophe,' the military spokeswoman informed AP. 'We are mourning together with the community.'

Authorities swarmed the Rock Island Campground on Monday night after finding Decker's truck.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the women' bodies about 75 to 100 lawns from the truck. Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files stated.

Decker's truck likewise had two bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual products consisting of blankets, food, vehicle seats and a wallet on the center console.

The camping site also revealed indications of current activity, with a tent and a cooler located a brief distance away, however Decker was no place to be found.

The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, who is divorced from the veteran, informed police that he had actually chosen the women up around 5pm but had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court documents stated.

Detectives said she 'revealed issue because Decker reportedly has never ever done this before and ... is currently experiencing some mental health concerns.'

The women' bodies were found around 38 miles from their mother's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities caution locals that he might be harmful due to his basic training

Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were individual products consisting of blankets, food, automobile seats and a wallet on the center console

She likewise informed law enforcement officials that Decker was diagnosed with borderline character disorder and believes he did not take medication for the condition, according to court files.

The father-of-three was expected to seek psychological health treatment and anger management therapy as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no sign he has followed through with the strategy - which he refused to sign, the court documents reveal.

Still, Whitney informed authorities she did not believe her ex was harmful and stated he loved his daughters.

She stated the ladies had a 'great relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had actually never failed to return the ladies before, according to a police affidavit.

She stated when Decker went to pick up the women for a scheduled three-hour go to on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' which was 'out of character' for him.

He had actually also supposedly been discussing eliminating his pet dog due to housing and financial battles.

When Decker failed to return with the ladies that night, Whitney reported them missing out on.

'What triggered her to call us was that ... he was late returning the ladies and had actually not interacted to her that he was going to be late, which was his normal style and so this ran out the common,' Captain Brian Chance said.

Decker signed up with the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped attending necessary month-to-month drills a little over a year back, and the Guard remained in the procedure of a disciplinary discharge

Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an Amber Alert, however it did not satisfy the required requirements, Wenatchee Police stated.

The lacking requirements was suspected abduction and imminent danger of death or severe injury, said Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

'In this case, it was a parent with custodial opportunities, and the children had actually not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical occurrence and not something where you simply instantly assume abduction,' he said.

He included that there was no indication Decker would harm them.

'We're people too, you understand, so the loss of a kid, the loss of 2 children, the loss of 3 kids is ... ravaging,' Loftis stated. 'Everybody always looks to how we can enhance.'

The following day, Wenatchee detectives called the patrol with extra information that resulted in the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).

State cops later dropped the EMPA on Monday evening without releasing a public reason. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department announced the ladies' deaths.

Whitney also mentioned in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'having a hard time to preserve stability' because they separated and it was beginning to affect their children.

The girls' mom stated that at times he would have the ladies sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, regardless of her objections

The women' mother said they had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and noted that he had never failed to return the ladies before

Whitney said when Decker went to pick up the women for a scheduled three-hour see on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him

When Decker stopped working to return with the girls that night, Whitney reported them missing

She stated that at times he would have the women sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, despite her objections, according to the Seattle Times.

She likewise said Decker was vulnerable to 'outbursts' and would come into her house shouting for the girls, whom he would in some cases fail to choose up after assuring to do so.

In one instance, Whitney wrote that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her weeping during a go to with Decker and stated she could not discover her daddy - before Evelyn came home with welts in between her legs.

'I do not wish to keep Travis from the women at all,' Whitney composed in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over backwards to facilitate that relationship.

'But I can not have our women remaining in what is basically a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised, with dozens of unusual males or remaining in a tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperature levels and unidentified areas for their safety.'

The women' maternal grandmother similarly wrote that Decker would drop off the girls at irregular times and they would often be upset or weeping when they returned home.

'They are all pleased, wise, well-adjusted women with the exception of when Travis brings them back to me after his visitations,' she composed, according to the Seattle Times.

On Tuesday, a judge issued a warrant for Decker's arrest and purchased he be held without bail.

Whitney likewise specified in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'struggling to preserve stability' considering that they were separated and it was beginning to impact their daughters

Whitney told cops she did not believe her ex threatened and stated he loved his children

Law enforcement is asking the public for help to discover the father-of-three, but advised residents not to approach him

Decker is described as 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, with black hair worn in a ponytail and brown eyes.

He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up for Whitney had raised nearly $366,000 since Wednesday morning.

'These women were real light in this world and it is a darker place without them. I will miss out on seeing their sweet little faces,' a note on the fundraising page read.

'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and support. Take a while to today to inform somebody you enjoy them.'

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