‘They were so beautiful and so joyous,’ Wenatchee community remembers Decker sisters
Jun 4, 2025, 5:42 AM
9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
The tragedy of three young girls who were found dead near a campsite in Leavenworth has Washington state residents in disbelief.
“I had seen over the weekend that this was going on and these girls were missing. And so when I got that notice from the school, who else could that be?” Maggie, a Wenatchee School District parent, said. “I hugged my daughter really hard today and just…yeah,” she continued.
Just hours after the news broke Tuesday, hundreds gathered at Memorial Park in Wenatchee to hold a vigil for 9-year-old Paityn, 8-year-old Evelyn, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker.
“I think that it speaks to the fact that these three little girls in their short time did so much in the community,” Ashley-Jo Pflueger, a family friend, told KIRO 7.
The vigil was put together by the group Music Theatre of Wenatchee. The Decker sisters were a part of the Short Shakespeare family. Ashley-Jo says she knew the girls for several years and that all of them were truly bright lights that lit up any stage they were on.
“They had life and love and they were so beautiful and so joyous,” Ashley-Jo said.
Although many will argue this will never make sense, those who attended Tuesday’s vigil say they are here for the Decker family.
“The community of Wenatchee is here for you. We love you. We support you. We want the best for you and we are incredibly sorry that this happened,” Maggie said.
