LEAKED AUDIO: Texas Camper’s Final Voice Note Ends with “Dad, They’re Here,” Deepening Camp Mystic Tragedy Mystery

On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic flash flood struck Camp Mystic, a historic Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas, along the Guadalupe River. Over 10 inches of rain fell in hours, causing a 26-foot river surge that claimed at least 27 lives and left 27 girls missing. On July 11, a leaked 19-second voice note, allegedly from 9-year-old Anna Margaret Bellows, surfaced, ending with the chilling words, “Dad, they’re here.” Police confirmed the audio’s authenticity but refused to comment on who “they” might be, adding a haunting layer to an already perplexing tragedy marked by footprints, a necklace, a GPS signal, and a mysterious text. This article explores the flood, the leaked audio, and the ongoing search as of July 16, 2025.

The Devastation at Camp Mystic

Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, has been a cherished summer retreat for girls aged 7 to 17, hosting 750 campers this year for activities like horseback riding and canoeing on its 700-acre campus. On July 4, a torrential downpour, worsened by drought-hardened soil, triggered a flash flood that overwhelmed riverside cabins where younger campers slept. The flood left behind mud-soaked bunk beds, shattered structures, and a death toll of at least 27 campers and counselors, with 27 girls, many under 12, still missing.

The flood’s suddenness outstripped preparedness. The National Weather Service’s flood watch underestimated the rainfall, and severed communication lines hampered rescues. Over 850 people were evacuated, including 240 from Camp Mystic, but the search for the missing girls remains urgent. Governor Greg Abbott called the disaster “a nightmare no parent should endure” and pledged exhaustive search efforts.

Previous Clues: Footprints, Necklace, GPS Signal, and Text

The search has been marked by haunting discoveries. On July 6, rescuers found footprints stretching 1.3 miles to a steep cliff above the Guadalupe River, too high for a missing girl to reach alone, suggesting an unknown person’s involvement. On July 9, a search dog uncovered a silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant belonging to 9-year-old Lila Bonner under the chapel ruins, indicating she may have sought refuge there. On July 10, a GPS signal from a bracelet registered to Lila’s best friend, 9-year-old Eloise Peck, was detected across the uncrossable, flood-ravaged river, raising questions about how it got there.

Also on July 10, Patricia Bellows, mother of 9-year-old Anna Margaret Bellows, reported receiving a text at 3:03 AM on July 4 from Anna’s phone, stating, “I’m safe, don’t worry.” Phone records show Anna was last seen at 2:22 AM, and the 41-minute gap, combined with no cell service after the flood, has baffled investigators. The FBI is analyzing the phone’s activity, but its location remains unknown.

The Leaked Voice Note: A Chilling New Clue

On July 11, a 19-second voice note, allegedly recorded by Anna Margaret Bellows, surfaced on social media, reportedly posted by an anonymous account on X before being removed. The audio, confirmed as authentic by Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, captures Anna’s voice in a panicked tone, describing rising water and her attempt to reach safety. The recording ends with her saying, “Dad, they’re here,” before cutting off abruptly. Authorities have refused to speculate on who “they” might be, citing the ongoing investigation, but the phrase has sparked intense speculation.

Sheriff Larry Leitha called the voice note “a critical piece of evidence” but urged the public not to spread unverified theories. The audio’s context is unclear: Was Anna referring to rescuers, other campers, or someone else? The lack of cell service suggests the note was recorded during the flood and sent later, possibly when a signal was briefly regained. The FBI’s digital forensics team is examining the file’s metadata to determine its exact timing and origin, but no further details have been released as of July 16.

Police Update: Escalating Challenges

As of July 16, 2025, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office reports a death toll of 95 in Kerr County, including 36 children, with 27 girls from Camp Mystic still missing. Across Central Texas, at least 120 people have died, and 161 remain unaccounted for, complicated by holiday visitors. Renewed flooding on July 13, with up to 2 inches of rain per hour, halted ground searches, and the GPS signal from Eloise Peck’s bracelet has been inactive since July 12. The chapel ruins and the river’s opposite bank remain focal points, but the voice note has broadened the search to include areas where Anna might have been when recording.

The leaked audio has fueled misinformation, with social media posts speculating about abductions or foul play, though police have found no evidence to support such claims. Sheriff Leitha condemned the leak, stating it “complicates an already complex investigation.” Sightseers congesting roads have further delayed rescuers, prompting renewed calls for the public to stay away.

Victims and Heroes

Confirmed victims include 8-year-old Sarah Marsh from Alabama, 9-year-old Janie Hunt, a great-granddaughter of oil baron William Herbert Hunt, and 8-year-old twins Hannah and Rebecca Lawrence. Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, both 9, were best friends who loved animals. Anna Margaret Bellows, known for her bright smile, is among the missing, her voice note haunting her family. Chloe Childress, an 18-year-old counselor, also perished.

Heroic acts include Camp owner Dick Eastland’s fatal attempt to save campers and night security guard Glenn Juenke’s use of mattresses to keep girls afloat. At Camp La Junta, a counselor helped boys climb to rafters. An 8-year-old camper found alive six miles downriver remains a rare miracle.

Preparedness and Climate Concerns

The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of preparedness in “Flash Flood Alley,” with a history of deadly floods, including a 1987 incident that killed 10 campers. Critics question Camp Mystic’s riverside cabin placement and the adequacy of evacuation plans. The National Weather Service’s underestimated forecasts and staffing shortages have drawn criticism. Climate change, intensifying droughts and rainfall, exacerbated the flood’s severity, with hardened soil and slow-moving thunderstorms creating catastrophic conditions.

A Community’s Anguish and Speculation

The voice note’s final words, “Dad, they’re here,” have gripped the nation, fueling memorials like “Lila’s Light” for Bonner, “Lulu’s Puppy Hut” for Peck, and a GoFundMe for Anna Bellows. Pope Leo XIV offered prayers, and President Donald Trump signed a disaster declaration. At reunification centers, families like that of 13-year-old survivor Elinor Lester hold onto hope. “That voice note is all we have of Anna,” said Patricia Bellows.

The audio, combined with earlier clues, deepens the mystery of Camp Mystic’s tragedy. As rescuers battle treacherous conditions to search the chapel, riverbanks, and beyond, the nation mourns the loss of young lives and a cherished tradition. The search for the 27 missing girls continues, driven by a resolve to uncover the truth behind Anna’s final words and bring closure to families facing unbearable uncertainty.