SHOCKING FINDING: Texas Rangers Find a Hidden Trapdoor Under the Old School Chapel — One Girl Was Clutching a Torn Photo Labeled “Mystic ’93”

KERRVILLE, Texas — July 25, 2025 — In a stunning development in the search for the missing girls from Camp Mystic, Texas Rangers uncovered a hidden trapdoor beneath the floor of the camp’s old school chapel, a historic structure dating back to the 1920s. Inside, they found 11-year-old Clara Thompson, one of the campers reported missing after the July 4 flash floods that killed at least 104 people and devastated the Christian all-girls summer camp. Clara was clutching a torn photograph labeled “Mystic ’93,” raising chilling questions about the camp’s history and the circumstances of her survival.

The floods, which saw the Guadalupe River rise 26 feet in under an hour, left Camp Mystic in ruins, with at least 27 campers and counselors confirmed dead and several still unaccounted for. The search, now stretching into its third week, has been a grueling effort involving helicopters, drones, and over 1,000 personnel. The discovery of the trapdoor, hidden beneath a weathered rug in the chapel, has added a new layer of mystery to a tragedy already steeped in grief.

The chapel, constructed from local cypress and used for camp services, was one of the few structures left partially intact after the flood. Rangers were searching the area for clues when a loose floorboard caught their attention. “We lifted the rug and found a trapdoor, barely visible,” said Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jacob Martinez. “It was locked from the outside, but we heard faint cries. When we opened it, there she was—Clara, alive but terrified.”

Clara was found in a small, damp cellar beneath the chapel, surrounded by old hymnals and camp supplies. She was dehydrated and weak but coherent, clutching a faded photograph showing a group of smiling girls in Camp Mystic uniforms, dated 1993. The back of the photo bore the words “Mystic ’93” and a list of names, some smudged beyond recognition. Clara, too traumatized to speak at length, whispered, “She told me to stay here,” but would not elaborate on who “she” was.

Authorities airlifted Clara to a Kerrville hospital, where she is recovering. Her parents, who had been camped at a local shelter, were overcome with emotion. “We thought we’d lost her,” said her father, Michael Thompson. “But that photo—what does it mean? Why was it there?”

The photograph has sparked intense speculation. Camp Mystic, founded nearly a century ago, has a storied history, but a 1987 flood that killed 10 children at a nearby church camp has drawn comparisons. Some locals believe the photo could be linked to that earlier tragedy, though no official connection has been confirmed. The Texas Rangers have sent the photo for forensic analysis, hoping to identify the girls in it and understand its significance.

The trapdoor’s existence has raised troubling questions about Camp Mystic’s safety protocols. Reports indicate that the camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, who died saving campers, had received a flood warning but delayed evacuation. The chapel’s cellar, not listed on camp blueprints, was unknown to current staff, suggesting it may have been used in the past for storage or emergencies. “We’re investigating why this cellar was hidden and how Clara ended up there,” said Sheriff Larry Leitha.

Clara’s survival has renewed hope for other missing girls, with search teams now scouring other camp buildings for similar hidden spaces. The photograph’s cryptic label has also prompted authorities to review camp records from 1993, though no specific leads have emerged. Some parents speculate that Clara’s reference to “she” could indicate another survivor or even a supernatural presence, given the camp’s Christian focus.

The discovery has intensified scrutiny of Camp Mystic’s location in a flood-prone area. The camp had been exempted from FEMA’s 100-year flood map, allowing expansion despite known risks. Critics argue that this, combined with an outdated warning system, contributed to the tragedy. Governor Greg Abbott, who visited the chapel site, vowed to investigate. “Clara’s survival is a miracle, but we need answers,” he said.

At a community vigil in Hunt, Texas, residents gathered to pray for Clara and the remaining missing girls. The photograph, now circulating on social media, has become a focal point of discussion, with some calling it a “message from the past.” “That photo is a clue,” said local resident Maria Gonzales. “It’s like the camp is trying to tell us something.”

As the search continues, Clara’s whispered words and the mysterious photograph have added a haunting dimension to an already heartbreaking case. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Camp Mystic’s history or the 1993 photo to contact the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office. For now, Clara’s survival—and the secrets she carried—offer a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.