He is still at large after vanishing into the forest. He is viewed as dangerous due to his extensive military experience and violent tendencies.

According to Arianna Cozart, Whitney’s attorney, this “was a tragedy that could’ve been absolutely” avoided had authorities intervened.

In a devastating statement released early Thursday morning, Cozart said she thinks “something broke inside” Decker and that he “would not have done what he did if he was himself.”

“He obviously had some sort of break and everything that he had been living with, everything that had been bottled up inside of him for so long as far as trauma, just won out,” according to Cozart, who was quoted by the Seattle Times.

According to Cozart, Decker was diagnosed with complicated PTSD and borderline personality disorder after leaving active military service.

The attorney, speaking for Whitney, also said that Decker was uncharacteristic for not returning his girls after a scheduled visitation.

Cozart argued that his “declining mental health” and “out-of-character behavior” should have caused “enough concern” to warrant an Amber Alert.

Although Decker “didn’t issue an overt threat,” she feels that authorities should have recognized the sisters were “missing” and in “substantial danger.”

According to Cozart, “it could have made a huge difference, but we may never know if it could have meant the difference between life and death for those girls.”

The father of three has not been seen since he picked up Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia from their mother’s home in Wenatchee, Washington State, for a three-hour visit on Friday.

Authorities published images of the wanted suspect on Tuesday night in an attempt to familiarize the public with his appearance.

In a police press release, Under Sheriff Dan Ozment stated, “These are the most recent images and videos we have that show his last known appearance.”

The sheriff’s office is currently working with the US Border Patrol, the Wenatchee Police Department, and Homeland Security investigations to locate Decker, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.