True Crime All The Time Unsolved Episode 445: The Decker Girls (Released Dec 22, 2025)
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson
Case: The Decker Girls – The Tragic Disappearance and Murder of the Decker Sisters

Episode Overview

This episode of True Crime All The Time Unsolved delves into the heartbreaking case of the Decker girls: Peyton (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5), who were murdered by their father, Travis Decker, after a court-ordered visitation in May 2025. The hosts, Mike Ferguson and Mike "Gibby" Gibson, walk listeners through Travis Decker’s background, the events leading up to the crime, the investigation’s challenges—including missed Amber Alert opportunities—the aftermath, and broader issues surrounding veterans’ mental health and systemic failures.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

Travis Decker: Early Life & Military Background

[04:03]

• Travis, from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was a decorated high school athlete and followed his Green Beret father’s footsteps into the military.
• Joined the Army in 2013, deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, later stationed in Italy and Georgia. Married Whitney in 2015; the couple had three daughters.
• Noted as quiet, hardworking, somewhat narcissistic, and a bit of an outcast by a former squadmate. Discharged from the elite Ranger Regiment after failing Ranger school.

“He competed at the state level in wrestling and played JV University football.” —Mike Ferguson [04:13]

Military Transition & Mental Health Decline

[10:42]

• Struggled with PTSD, insomnia, screaming at night, and potential undiagnosed or unmanaged borderline personality disorder.
• Friends and family noted steep declines after military service ended. Whitney’s attorney stressed lack of accessible VA/mental health resources.

“He would scream in the middle of the night, soak the bed, and only get one or two hours of sleep.” —Mike Ferguson [12:29]

Custody & Parenting Plan

[15:01]

• Whitney held full custody. Travis received short, supervised visitations—later contested due to his instability.
• Whitney raised concerns: Travis was homeless (living in his truck, motels, or campgrounds) and possibly not medicated for his diagnosed conditions.

“I cannot have our girls staying in what is essentially a homeless shelter, at times unsupervised with dozens of strange men, or staying in a tent...” —Mike Ferguson, quoting Whitney’s affidavit [16:37]

The Disappearance

[21:53]

• May 30, 2025: The girls went missing after Travis failed to return them from visitation.
• Whitney reported them missing at 9:45pm. Travis’s phone was off, breaking his usual pattern of reliable communication.

“I'm trying to put myself in Whitney’s shoes... starts to go through your mind when he doesn't return at the scheduled time and... you can't get ahold of him.” —Mike Ferguson [22:37]

• Crucial Issue: Amber Alert was not issued as authorities classified it as a custody matter (“no imminent threat”). Only an endangered person alert was released the next day.

The Investigation & Discovery

[26:41]

• Police tracked Travis’s truck via Flock license plate reader on May 30. Found it on June 2 near Rock Island Campground.
• Scene included blankets, car seats, a wallet, two bloody handprints on the truck—raising alarm.
• [27:53] About 75-100 yards from the truck, the bodies of Peyton, Evelyn, and Olivia were found with plastic bags over their heads, bound with zip ties—signs of asphyxiation.

“Deputies found the bodies of Peyton, Evelyn, and Olivia. Each had a plastic bag over their head. Zip ties... scattered around.” —Mike Ferguson [27:58]

Manhunt for Travis Decker

[33:59]

• Travis—highly trained, experienced in wilderness survival—had a 3-day head start. Authorities warned he could be anywhere, possibly Canada (evidenced by Google searches: “move to Canada”).
• Remote west Washington campgrounds and trails (including areas near the Pacific Crest Trail) were closed. National Guard and FBI supported the search.
• Multiple false sightings reported in Idaho and Washington over the summer.
• Notable: A family in Idaho reported a highly detailed sighting consistent with Travis’s features, but it was a false alarm. [45:06]

Discovery of Travis Decker’s Remains

[51:56]

• Sep 18: Remains believed to be Travis were found on a mountainside less than a mile—yet 1,200 vertical feet—above where the girls were discovered. Items matched what Travis wore; remains had decomposed significantly and were scattered by animals.
• DNA later confirmed the remains as Travis Decker. Cause of death undetermined due to lack of torso and skull.

“It would take almost three hours to hike in there... virtually uninhabitable.” —Sheriff Mike Morrison [51:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He was a present and active father up until the end, still attending the girls' soccer games, dance, and theater productions.” —Mike Ferguson, quoting Whitney’s statement [42:59]
• “She wants the Amber Alert system fixed in Washington State to prevent further tragedies... and she wants the Mental Health Resources for Veterans to be fixed.” —Mike Ferguson, on Whitney’s post-case advocacy [44:13]
• On the community blaming Whitney:
  • “I just don't see how in any way you can blame Whitney.” —Mike Ferguson [44:40]
  • “She loved him and... believed he loved the girls and that no harm would come to them.” —Mike Gibson [44:52]
• On the horror of the murders:
  • “They were taken by their own father, the man who was supposed to love them, protect them.” —Mike Ferguson [56:51]

Key Timestamps

• Travis’s upbringing & military service: [04:03–08:32]
• Mental health struggles, marital separation: [10:42–14:20]
• Custody disputes and visitation details: [15:01–18:41]
• Discovery that the girls are missing: [21:53–24:29]
• Amber Alert controversy: [24:29–26:03]
• Finding the girls’ bodies & murder details: [26:41–29:04]
• Investigation and manhunt for Travis: [33:59–46:53]
• Discovery & identification of Travis’s remains: [51:56–54:13]
• Episode wrap-up and reflection: [56:51–58:13]

Reflection and Larger Themes

• The episode highlights the devastating impact of untreated mental illness, particularly PTSD in veterans, compounded by gaps in health care and systemic failures.
• The hosts and Whitney’s attorney repeatedly emphasize Whitney’s diligence and love as a mother—challenging public backlash against her.
• Systemic issues raised: The stringent criteria for Amber Alerts, and the insufficient support for veterans in crisis.
• The lack of clear motive (“why now?”) and the incomprehensibility of a loving father’s turn to murder remains at the heart of the tragedy.

Takeaway

This episode serves as both a meticulous recounting of the Decker family tragedy and a call for better mental health resources for veterans and reform of Amber Alert protocols. Listeners are left with sobering questions about how such senseless violence can erupt within a family—and how system-wide change is needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Memorable Closing:
“It’s a sad case... three young girls who lost their lives, but on top of that, they were taken by their own father... and one of the toughest parts of this case for me is that we really don’t know why.” —Mike Ferguson [56:51]