Wenatchee community to honor the three slain girls with public memorial service

The Wenatchee community is having a memorial service for Evelyn, Paityn, and Olivia—the three sisters murdered in a campground near Leavenworth—at Rocky Reach Park next Friday, June 20, at 7 p.m.

While attendees are encouraged to wear purple, pink, and green clothes in honor of the girls during the service, the event also stated that people can wear “whatever makes them feel beautiful.”

Participants should bring their own chairs, blankets, and candles or glow sticks. Water is also recommended.

Manhunt for Travis Decker continues

The memorial is scheduled to occur amid an ongoing manhunt for Travis Decker, the father of the three daughters and the man accused of kidnapping and killing them.

Helicopters have been seen circling the Wenatchee forest for days. KIRO Newsradio’s Luke Duecy did a deep dive into law enforcement’s search for Decker Thursday morning, which can be viewed above.

Authorities believe they have Travis Decker surrounded

Law enforcement is hot on Decker’s trail, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press conference Wednesday.

“All we need is one mistake,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said.

Deputies believe they have picked up footprints of Decker. They have also recovered more items they believe he left behind. Morrison is confident they have Decker surrounded.

Deputies said they are actively tracking Decker, believing he’s still in the mountains. Law enforcement officials stated they are following his trail, which has led to the Ingalls Creek Trailhead near Blewett Pass.

“We are asking for the public, especially those who live or have cabins in the area, to remain highly vigilant and report any suspicious activity,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

Law enforcement receives tip for ‘lone hiker’

Authorities received a tip from a hiking party who said they spotted a “lone hiker” in the Enchantments area. They said he appeared to be ill-prepared and was avoiding others. Tracking teams then found the hiker near Colchuck Lake, who ran from helicopters, according to law enforcement.

Multiple K9 teams followed his path into the woods, and now more than 100 officers are actively searching the area.

“If you have been in the Enchantments area within the last week and have seen anything suspicious, please contact the tip line with any information you may have,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Additionally, if you were a solo hiker in the area recently, please contact the tip line immediately with your information so investigators can follow up with you.”

Law enforcement has asked locals to stay vigilant.

“Please secure your homes and vehicles, stay alert, and report any suspicious activity to 911,” the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Residents and visitors will see a visible increase in law enforcement presence tonight as a precaution. Your safety remains top priority. If you see something, say something.”

Dozens of deputies and federal agents are hyper-focused on areas along Highway 97, just 10 miles south of Leavenworth.

“This is the first time talking to all of my different law enforcement sources that they feel they have narrowed in,” KIRO 7 reporter Brooke Griffin said. “They said that they feel really good about this. We’re all a little anxious in these kinds of situations. These guys are highly trained, but if we’re feeling the anxiety, these guys probably are too.”

Investigators found Decker’s blood at the scene where the bodies of his three daughters were discovered. Law enforcement officials don’t know if Decker is armed.

“Heavy, heavy, heavy law enforcement presence,” Griffin added. “It could be setting up a perimeter. Out of the eight days I’ve been here, this is the most I’ve seen.”

Anyone who sees Decker should not approach him and should call 911 immediately.

Tips can also be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102 or online at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

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