Court records reveal custody issues for man at center of a national manhunt

The recording from the last custody hearing in Chelan County Superior Court between Whitney Decker and her ex-husband, Travis Decker, who is now at the center of a national manhunt, paints an insightful and sometimes eerie glimpse into the months that led up to the brutal murders of their three young daughters—Olivia, 5 years old, Evelyn, 8 years old, and Paityn, 9 years old

In September 2024, both parties stood in front of a judge requesting their court-approved parenting plan, in place since March 2023, be temporarily amended. According to the recording, while both parties presented motions to request their proposed changes, the judge decided not to consider the motion presented by Travis Decker, who represented himself, after Whitney Decker’s attorney objected, saying he failed to file the motion correctly and did not serve Whitney Decker. Judge Robert Jourdan agreed, and both parties, instead, presented their arguments for and against Whitney Decker’s motion to amend the plan.

Travis Decker faces issues with child custody

Whitney Decker’s attorney, Arianna Cozart, asked Judge Jourdan to temporarily take away Travis Decker’s overnight custody rights after expressing concern that changes in his personal life presented significant safety risks for their three children, including having them stay with him at a National Guard armory.

“The children were sleeping at the armory where there are obviously dozens of other men present, and the children were left at least once while Mr. Decker went to the Safeway,” Cozart said. “They are too little and, quite frankly, they shouldn’t be staying in the armory anyway.”

Cozart also told the court Travis Decker owed Whitney Decker thousands of dollars in child support and was homeless and living out of his truck, or motels, or friends’ homes. Cozart also requested Judge Jourdan order a domestic violence evaluation and a full psychiatric assessment.

Travis Decker acknowledges housing instability

In response, Travis Decker acknowledged his struggle with housing instability and described the challenges he faced transitioning from his career in the military, where he served as an Army Ranger, into civilian life.

“When I was separated from active duty, I tried to figure out how to live as a civilian,” he said. “I didn’t have family, friends, or any support—especially moving to a state where I had no one to lean on or even a couch to sleep on.”

Travis Decker also told the court, in order to provide overnight shelter, he would often take his daughters camping.

“I don’t believe that my weekends should be completely taken away since I have been gone,” Travis Decker said. “Every time I’ve had the girls we have been in campsites and national forests and paid campsites that have campers, we’ve never done anything that was unsafe or anything I wouldn’t want to put myself in.”

Judge grants motion, but Travis Decker refuses psychiatric evaluations

At the end of the almost 30-minute hearing, Judge Jourdan granted Whitney Decker’s motion and temporarily amended the couple’s parenting plan. However, Travis Decker refused to sign any court documents.

The judge told Travis Decker signing the documents was up to him, but his order would be legally binding with or without his signature. Travis Decker also refused to attend any domestic violence psychiatric evaluations and assessments. Seven months later, Chelan County deputies found the bodies of his children at a campground 18 miles west of Leavenworth.

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