A Washington father thought of fatally suffocating his 3 little girls has a substantial military background and served in Afghanistan, the Daily Mail has found out - as authorities cautioned the general public not to approach him throughout their continuous manhunt.

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of killing his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, whose bodies were found at a camping site in Leavenworth, after he failed to return them to their mother in Wenatchee following a set up three-hour go to.

As authorities look for Decker, who is thought to be mentally unsteady, they alerted locals that he might 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 moving to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, communications director for the the Washington Military Department, validated 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 going to necessary regular monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge.

He likely has advanced battle training and was an airborne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have exceptional wilderness and survival abilities, Fox 13 Seattle reported, mentioning social media posts.

It is unidentified if the veteran is presently equipped, but regional law enforcement warned people from approaching him.

Travis Decker, 32, is accused of killing his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, after he stopped working to return them back to their mom following a scheduled three-hour see in Washington on Friday

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered the women' bodies about 75 to 100 backyards from Decker's truck at a camping area. Police think the ladies died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said

'Due to safety concerns do not attempt to contact or approach Decker,' police said.

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

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

Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the women' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from the truck. Police believe the ladies passed away from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court files said.

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

The campground likewise showed signs of current activity, with a tent and a cooler situated a short range away, however Decker was nowhere to be discovered.

The women' mother, Whitney Decker, who is separated from the veteran, informed cops that he had selected the women up around 5pm but had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went directly to voicemail, court files stated.

Detectives said she 'revealed concern because Decker apparently has actually never ever done this before and ... is presently experiencing some psychological health problems.'

The ladies' bodies were discovered around 38 miles from their mother's home. Decker is still on the run, as authorities alert locals that he could be unsafe due to his basic training

Decker's truck had 2 bloody handprints on the tailgate, and inside were personal products including blankets, food, cars and truck seats and a wallet on the center console

She likewise told police authorities 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 look for psychological health treatment and anger management counseling as part of a parenting strategy, however there was no sign he has actually followed through with the plan - which he declined to sign, the court documents reveal.

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

She said the women had a 'excellent relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had actually never ever stopped working to return the ladies before, according to an authorities affidavit.

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

He had likewise supposedly been talking about getting rid of his pet due to housing and financial battles.

When Decker stopped working 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 women and had not interacted to her that he was going to be late, which was his common fashion therefore this ran out the normal,' Captain Brian Chance said.

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 participating in obligatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge

Washington State Patrol was contacted Friday night to request an Amber Alert, but it did not meet the required criteria, Wenatchee Police stated.

The doing not have criteria was believed abduction and impending peril of death or serious injury, stated Chris Loftis, director of public affairs for the state patrol.

'In this case, it was a parent with custodial benefits, and the kids 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 added that there was no sign Decker would damage them.

'We're people too, you know, so the loss of a child, the loss of two children, the loss of three kids is ... ravaging,' Loftis said. 'Everybody always looks to how we can improve.'

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

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

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

The girls' mother said that sometimes he would have the women sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, in spite of her objections

The ladies' mother said they had a 'excellent relationship with Decker and enjoy their time with him,' and kept in mind that he had actually never ever stopped working to return the ladies before

Whitney said when Decker went to select up the girls for a set up three-hour go to on Friday, he was 'quieter than typical' 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 sometimes he would have the girls sleep at an armory while he was in the National Guard, in spite of her objections, according to the Seattle Times.

She likewise stated Decker was vulnerable to 'outbursts' and would come into her house yelling for the girls, whom he would sometimes fail to get after assuring to do so.

In one circumstances, Whitney wrote that her youngest child, Olivia, called her sobbing throughout a check out with Decker and said she could not find her father - before Evelyn came home with welts between her legs.

'I do not desire to keep Travis from the ladies at all,' Whitney wrote in the court filing. 'To the contrary, I have bent over backwards to assist in that relationship.

'But I can not have our girls remaining in what is basically a homeless shelter, sometimes without supervision, with lots of unusual men or staying in a tent or living in his truck with him, both in extreme temperature levels and unknown areas for their safety.'

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

'They are all delighted, clever, well-adjusted girls with the exception of when Travis brings them back to me after his visitations,' she wrote, according to the Seattle Times.

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

Whitney also stated in September divorce procedures that he had been 'struggling to keep stability' since they were separated and it was starting to impact their children

Whitney informed authorities she did not believe her ex threatened and said he liked his daughters

Police is asking the general public for assistance to discover the father-of-three, however advised residents not to approach him

Decker is referred to as 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, with black hair used 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 actually raised nearly $366,000 since Wednesday early morning.

'These women held true 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. Spend some time to today to inform somebody you love them.'

Afghanistan