A Washington daddy presumed of fatally suffocating his 3 little girls 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 accused of killing his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were found at a campsite in Leavenworth, after he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following a scheduled three-hour see.

As authorities search for Decker, who is thought to be mentally unsteady, they alerted locals that he might be harmful due to his military background.

Decker joined the Army in 2013, according to the Associated Press. He served in Afghanistan before moving 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 up until 2023 or 2024, when he changed to part-time.

Decker stopped attending necessary month-to-month drills a little over a year earlier, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has actually advanced battle training and was an air-borne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have excellent wilderness and survival skills, Fox 13 Seattle reported, citing social media posts.

It is unknown if the veteran is currently equipped, however local police warned individuals from approaching him.

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of eliminating his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he failed to return them back to their mother following a scheduled three-hour go to in Washington on Friday

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

'Due to security concerns do not attempt to get in touch with or approach Decker,' cops said.

'This is an outright disaster,' the military spokeswoman told AP. 'We are grieving together with the neighborhood.'

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

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the girls' 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 also had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal items including blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console.

The camping area likewise showed indications of current activity, with a tent and a cooler situated a short range away, but Decker was nowhere to be discovered.

The ladies' mom, Whitney Decker, who is separated from the veteran, informed authorities that he had picked the girls up around 5pm however had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went directly to voicemail, court files said.

Detectives said she 'revealed concern because Decker apparently has never ever done this before and ... is currently experiencing some mental health issues.'

The ladies' bodies were discovered approximately 38 miles from their mom's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities warn residents that he might be harmful due to his military training

Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal items including blankets, food, safety seat and a wallet on the center console

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

The father-of-three was supposed to seek mental health treatment and anger management counseling as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no indication he has followed through with the strategy - which he declined to sign, the court files reveal.

Still, Whitney told authorities she did not believe her ex threatened and stated he loved his children.

She stated the ladies had a 'good relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had never stopped working to return the girls before, according to an authorities affidavit.

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

He had also presumably been talking about eliminating his pet due to housing and financial battles.

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

'What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the women and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical style and so this was out of the regular,' Captain Brian Chance stated.

Decker joined the Army in 2013 and moved 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 mandatory monthly 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, but it did not fulfill the required criteria, Wenatchee Police stated.

The doing not have requirements was suspected kidnapping and imminent danger of death or serious injury, said Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

'In this case, it was a parent with custodial benefits, and the children had actually not been returned home on time. But that's a rather typical event and not something where you just instantly presume kidnapping,' he said.

He added that there was no indicator Decker would damage them.

'We're people too, you know, so the loss of a kid, the loss of 2 kids, the loss of three kids is ... ravaging,' Loftis said. 'Everybody constantly looks to how we can improve.'

The following day, Wenatchee detectives contacted the patrol with additional info that resulted in the issuance of an Endangered Missing Person Alert (EMPA).

State police later on dropped the EMPA on Monday night without launching a public reason. The following day, Wenatchee Police Department revealed the women' deaths.

Whitney likewise mentioned in September divorce proceedings that he had been 'struggling to preserve stability' given that they separated and it was starting to affect their children.

The ladies' mom said that at times he would have the women sleep at an armory while he remained in the National Guard, regardless of her objections

The girls' mom stated they had a 'excellent relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had never ever failed to return the girls before

Whitney said when Decker went to get the ladies for a scheduled three-hour go to on Friday, he was 'quieter than normal' which was 'out of character' for him

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

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

She likewise stated Decker was prone to 'outbursts' and would come into her house yelling for the girls, whom he would sometimes fail to choose up after promising to do so.

In one instance, Whitney wrote that her youngest daughter, Olivia, called her weeping throughout a go to with Decker and said she might not discover her daddy - before Evelyn got back with welts between her legs.

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

'But I can not have our girls staying in what is basically a homeless shelter, at times not being watched, with lots of strange men or remaining in a camping tent or living in his truck with him, both in severe temperatures and unknown areas for their safety.'

The women' maternal grandma likewise composed that Decker would drop off the girls at inconsistent times and they would in some cases be upset or weeping when they returned home.

'They are all delighted, smart, 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 bought he be held without bail.

Whitney also stated in September divorce procedures that he had actually been 'having a hard time to keep stability' given that they were separated and it was beginning to affect their children

Whitney told police she did not think her ex threatened and stated he enjoyed his children

Police is asking the public for aid to discover the father-of-three, but recommended residents not to approach him

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

He is charged with 3 counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe established for Whitney had raised almost $366,000 as of Wednesday morning.

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

'Send Whitney all of your prayers, love and assistance. Take some time to today to tell someone you love them.'

Afghanistan