In just two short weeks, three families—living thousands of miles apart—were torn apart by horrifying acts of domestic violence and suspected murder-suicides. Authorities are still searching for answers, while entire communities grapple with grief, shock, and disbelief.
Chelan County, Washington
On the evening of May 30, 2025, Whitney Decker’s worst fear began to take shape. Her three young daughters—Olivia, 5; Evelyn, 8; and Paityn, 9—had not returned from a planned visit with their father, Travis Decker. Repeated calls went unanswered, leaving Whitney anxious and desperate.
By June 2, that anxiety became a nightmare. The girls were found near Rock Island Campground, zip-tied and suffocated with plastic bags. Investigators confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation. Travis Decker, 32, is now the primary suspect. With a military background, no fixed address, and reports of him moving between his truck, campgrounds, and motels, authorities have warned that he may be armed and dangerous.
A GoFundMe has been established to support Whitney during this unimaginable loss, raising more than $330,000 of a $380,000 goal as of June 4—a testament to the outpouring of community compassion.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Just days earlier, on May 24, tragedy struck a quiet Albuquerque neighborhood. Firefighters responding to a house fire on Georgia Street Northeast discovered three bodies—76-year-old Stephen William Bockemeier, 77-year-old Marcia Elizabeth Bockemeier, and their 48-year-old son, Erik Josef Bockemeier—all shot before the fire started.
Later that morning, police found 35-year-old Andrew Stephen Bockemeier, another son of the couple, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities believe he used the same weapon to take his family’s lives. A note was recovered, though its contents have not been disclosed. Officials suspect a severe mental health crisis may have driven Andrew to commit these acts.
“It’s deeply troubling… some families are enduring things we may never fully understand,” said Gilbert Gallegos, communications director for the Albuquerque Police Department.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Across the globe in Buenos Aires, another devastating family tragedy occurred on May 21, 2025. A housekeeper arriving at a sixth-floor apartment in the Villa Crespo neighborhood discovered the lifeless body of a young boy near the doorway. Inside, authorities found three more victims: 53-year-old Bernardo Adrián Seltzer, his wife, 50-year-old Laura Fernanda Leguizamón, and their two sons, Ian, 15, and Ivo, 12. All had been stabbed to death. A knife and a handwritten note were recovered at the scene.
Police suspect Laura, who had been under psychiatric care and may have recently stopped her medication, killed her family before taking her own life. Reports indicate her behavior had noticeably changed in the days leading up to the tragedy. Her final Facebook post from March 1, filled with fragmented thoughts and nostalgic reflections alongside smiling family photos, now stands as a chilling prelude to the sorrow that unfolded.
A sobering reminder
Though separated by thousands of miles, these tragedies share haunting parallels—a reminder of the fragile line between everyday family life and unimaginable catastrophe. They underscore the devastating impact that untreated or unnoticed mental health struggles can have.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “HELLO” to 741-741, or reach out to a trusted mental health professional. No one should face their pain alone.