Shocking Development at Camp Mystic: GPS Signal from Missing Girl’s Bracelet Traced Across Uncrossable River

On July 4, 2025, a devastating flash flood struck Camp Mystic, a historic Christian summer camp for girls in Hunt, Texas, along the Guadalupe River. The disaster, caused by over 10 inches of rain in mere hours, led to a 26-foot river surge, claiming at least 27 lives and leaving 27 girls missing. On July 10, Day 7 of the search, police detected a GPS signal from a bracelet registered to one of the missing campers, 9-year-old Eloise Peck. The coordinates, however, pointed to the opposite side of the still-raging Guadalupe River, an area deemed uncrossable due to floodwaters and treacherous terrain. This perplexing clue, following the discovery of a necklace in the chapel ruins, has intensified the search and deepened the mystery surrounding the fate of the missing girls. This article explores the tragedy, the GPS signal’s implications, and the ongoing efforts as of July 16, 2025.

The Tragedy at Camp Mystic

Camp Mystic, founded in 1926, has been a beloved summer retreat for girls aged 7 to 17, drawing 750 campers this year for activities like horseback riding, archery, and canoeing. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, the camp’s riverside cabins for younger campers became a death trap when a torrential downpour—worsened by drought-hardened soil—unleashed a flash flood. The floodwaters swept through cabins, leaving behind mud-soaked belongings and collapsed structures. At least 27 campers and counselors perished, and 27 girls, many under 12, remain missing.

The flood’s suddenness overwhelmed preparedness efforts. The National Weather Service’s flood watch underestimated the rainfall, and severed communication lines hindered rescues. Over 850 people were evacuated, including 240 from Camp Mystic, but the focus remains on finding the missing girls. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, after visiting the site, called it a “scene of unimaginable loss” and committed to exhaustive search efforts.

Earlier Clues: Footprints and a Necklace

On July 6, rescuers found footprints stretching 1.3 miles from the camp to a steep cliff above the Guadalupe River. The cliff’s height made it unlikely that any missing girl could have reached it alone, raising questions about whether the prints belonged to a camper, counselor, or someone else. The trail’s abrupt end suggested grim possibilities—a fall, a sweep by receding waters, or an undiscovered path—but no survivors were linked to it.

On July 9, a search dog’s persistent barking led to another haunting discovery: a silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, identified as belonging to 9-year-old Lila Bonner, found under the rubble of the camp’s collapsed chapel. The find suggested that Lila and possibly others sought refuge there during the flood, only to be trapped. The necklace galvanized search efforts around the chapel, but no further remains or survivors have been found.

Day 7: The GPS Signal Discovery

On July 10, a new lead emerged when police detected a GPS signal from a smart bracelet registered to 9-year-old Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner’s best friend and a fellow Dallas native known for her love of animals. The bracelet, a gift from her parents with a built-in GPS tracker, emitted a signal from coordinates on the opposite side of the Guadalupe River, across from Camp Mystic. The river, still swollen and turbulent from ongoing rain, was deemed uncrossable due to its strong currents and debris-filled waters, making the signal’s location baffling.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha described the discovery as “both promising and confounding.” The coordinates suggested that Eloise, or at least her bracelet, reached an area inaccessible by foot during the flood. Authorities speculated several possibilities: Eloise could have been swept across the river by floodwaters, the bracelet may have been carried by debris or an animal, or someone else might have transported it. The signal’s intermittent nature, possibly due to battery depletion or terrain interference, has complicated efforts to pinpoint its exact location. Search teams deployed drones and helicopters to the area, but the river’s conditions have prevented ground crews from crossing, forcing reliance on aerial and boat-based searches.

Latest Police Update: A Growing Crisis

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, though the number of missing is uncertain due to holiday visitors. Renewed flooding on July 13, with up to 2 inches of rain per hour, halted ground searches, and Sheriff Leitha noted that the GPS signal has not been detected since July 12, possibly due to battery failure or submersion. The sheriff’s office has prioritized aerial searches across the river while continuing to excavate the chapel ruins, where Lila Bonner’s necklace was found.

The search faces additional challenges from misinformation and external interference. False reports, such as claims of girls found alive in trees, have spread on social media, while “sightseers” driving through the area have delayed rescuers. Authorities have urged the public to stay away, emphasizing the need for clear access for first responders.

Victims and Heroes

The tragedy has claimed lives that resonate deeply. Confirmed victims include 8-year-old Anna Margaret Bellows, whose mother lauded counselors’ bravery; 8-year-old Sarah Marsh from Alabama; and 9-year-old Janie Hunt, a great-granddaughter of oil baron William Herbert Hunt. Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, both 9, were inseparable friends who shared a passion for animals. Other losses include 8-year-old twins Hannah and Rebecca Lawrence, 8-year-old Linnie McCown, and 18-year-old counselor Chloe Childress, who was set to attend the University of Texas.

Heroic acts shine through the grief. Camp owner Dick Eastland died saving campers, earning praise as a “true hero.” Night security guard Glenn Juenke used mattresses to keep girls afloat in the Wiggle Inn cabin. At nearby Camp La Junta, a counselor helped boys climb to rafters to escape rising waters. An 8-year-old camper found alive six miles downriver remains a rare beacon of hope.

Questions of Preparedness and Climate

The disaster has sparked scrutiny over preparedness in the Guadalupe River basin, known as “Flash Flood Alley” for its history of deadly floods, including a 1987 tragedy that killed 10 campers. Critics question why Camp Mystic’s cabins were built so close to the river and whether evacuation plans were sufficient. The National Weather Service’s underestimated rainfall predictions and staffing shortages have drawn criticism. Climate change, intensifying droughts and heavy rainfall, is a key factor, with hardened soil and slow-moving thunderstorms creating conditions for rapid runoff.

A Community’s Anguish and Resolve

The GPS signal from Eloise Peck’s bracelet, like Lila Bonner’s necklace, has become a poignant symbol of loss and hope. Families have created memorials, including “Lila’s Light” for Bonner’s animal rescue dream and “Lulu’s Puppy Hut” for Peck’s love of dogs. Pope Leo XIV offered prayers, and President Donald Trump signed a federal disaster declaration. At reunification centers, families like that of 13-year-old survivor Elinor Lester express solidarity with those awaiting news. “Every clue, like that bracelet, keeps us hoping,” said Elinor’s mother, Rachel Lester.

The GPS signal’s location across an uncrossable river adds a layer of mystery to an already heart-wrenching tragedy. As rescuers battle treacherous conditions to search both the chapel ruins and the river’s opposite bank, the nation mourns the loss of young lives and a cherished Texas tradition. The search for the 27 missing girls continues, driven by a commitment to bring answers and closure to families grappling with unbearable uncertainty.