Washington – A 32-year-old father, identified as Travis D., has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder after the tragic deaths of his three young daughters, Olivia (5), Evelyn (8), and Paityn (9), following a scheduled visit in May. The girls were found dead on June 2, sparking widespread shock and outrage across the state.
Disturbing Allegations and Timeline of Events
Travis is accused of suffocating his daughters shortly after picking them up for a court-approved visit on May 30. Authorities believe Travis then fled the scene, possibly attempting to escape across the Canadian border.
A multi-agency manhunt is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, National Guard, and U.S. Marshals Service, all involved in the search. As of the latest update, Travis remains at large.
A Father’s Plea and Family Struggles
In audio recordings from a court hearing last September, Travis can be heard emotionally appealing for more parenting time with his daughters, insisting that he had taken care of them since they were babies. “Every time I’ve had the girls, we have been in campsites and National Forests,” Travis told the judge.
At the time, he was in the midst of divorce and custody proceedings with his ex-wife, Whitney D., who had primary custody of the children.
However, Whitney had growing concerns about Travis’ mental health and his unstable living conditions. She described him as “unstable” and explained that he had no permanent home, frequently moving between an RV, a truck, motels, campsites, and even an armory in Washington.
Whitney also expressed that the girls were distressed during overnight visits, with the children often crying during phone calls from their father’s temporary homes.
Concerns Raised in Court
Attorney A. Cozart, representing Whitney, emphasized that the goal was not to completely separate the children from their father but to prevent them from being exposed to unsafe living conditions.
Cozart explained, “She just doesn’t want the children living out of a truck or in a tent in somebody’s backyard.” Despite these concerns, Travis maintained that his outdoor lifestyle was not dangerous for the children and argued that they needed to learn about the world in this way.
However, the judge, R. Jourdan, sided with Whitney, acknowledging that Travis’ living situation was “not stable” and approving an updated parenting plan that limited his visitation.
The Tragic Outcome
Just days after the court ruling, Travis picked up the girls for a scheduled visit and never returned them. On June 2, the girls’ bodies were discovered, and authorities revealed that Travis had suffocated all three daughters before fleeing.
The details of the case have shaken the community, with many pointing to red flags in Travis’ behavior, including his disregard for court orders and his inability to provide a stable environment for his daughters.
Community Shock and Mourning
Travis’ actions have left the family in devastation. The girls’ mother, Whitney, has not yet publicly commented on the loss, but those close to the case have shared that there were repeated warnings about Travis’ mental state and the danger he posed to the children.
Instead of spending summer weekends at campgrounds and parks, the three sisters are now being mourned by their family, friends, and the shocked community.
Authorities’ Continued Search and Legal Proceedings
Travis remains charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his daughters. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward, and the investigation is ongoing.
This case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic instability and the importance of protecting vulnerable children in unsafe environments.