Police launch manhunt for ex-soldier accused of kidnapping and murdering his three daughters
Police have launched a manhunt for a former soldier suspected of kidnapping and murdering his three young daughters in Washington state.
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Authorities believe Travis Decker, 32, poses a "significant risk" to the public due to his “extensive” military training.
The FBI has joined police and US marshals as they continue to hunt for the missing father.
Police first began their search when the girls’ mother raised concerns after they failed to return from a planned visit with Decker.
Aged nine, eight and five, the girls were only supposed to be with their father for three hours.
Wenatchee Police first asked the public to watch out for the white pickup truck Decker is believed to live in.
But the vehicle was found on Monday, around 70 miles east of Seattle, with the girls’ bodies located in "relatively close proximity."
Evelyn, Paityn and Olivia Decker’s mother told police she feared her ex-husband was suffering “mental health issues” when she reported the three young girls missing on Friday.
Police have been accused of wasting time by waiting until Saturday afternoon to issue an Amber missing persons alert for the girls.
Speaking before the girls were found, their mum, Whitney Decker, told Seattle CBS affiliate KIRO there had been problems with Travis’ mental health before.
"Travis has struggled since he left the military and his mental health can be hard sometimes," she said.
"I think this is an effect of that, and I don’t personally think that he’s dangerous."
She added: "I think that he is impulsive and he loves his children very much."
A GoFundMe has been set up to support the grieving mum, raising $50,000 in two days.
"These girls were true light in this world, and it is a darker place without them," the fundraiser's organiser wrote.
"I will miss seeing their sweet little faces."