EXCLUSIVE: Mysterious Text from Texas Camper’s Phone Deepens Mystery of Camp Mystic Tragedy

On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic flash flood devastated 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 10, a new and perplexing clue emerged: the mother of one missing camper, 9-year-old Anna Margaret Bellows, received a text at 3:03 AM on July 4 stating, “I’m safe, don’t worry.” Phone records, however, reveal the message was sent 41 minutes after Anna was last seen at 2:22 AM, raising chilling questions about her fate. Combined with earlier discoveries—a necklace in chapel ruins and a GPS signal across an uncrossable river—this text has intensified the search and deepened the anguish of a community desperate for answers. This article explores the tragedy, the mysterious text, and the ongoing efforts as of July 16, 2025.

The Disaster at Camp Mystic

Since 1926, Camp Mystic has welcomed girls aged 7 to 17 to its 700-acre campus in the Texas Hill Country for activities like canoeing, archery, and horseback riding. This summer, 750 campers attended, drawn to its Christian values and scenic riverside setting. But in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, a torrential downpour, worsened by drought-hardened soil, triggered a flash flood that overwhelmed riverside cabins where younger campers slept. Mud-soaked bunk beds, shattered windows, and collapsed structures marked the devastation. At least 27 campers and counselors perished, and 27 girls, many under 12, remain missing.

The flood’s ferocity outstripped preparedness efforts. The National Weather Service’s flood watch predicted 3 to 6 inches of rain, but the actual deluge was far greater, and severed communication lines hindered rescues. Over 850 people were evacuated, including 240 from Camp Mystic, but the search for the missing girls continues. Governor Greg Abbott, after touring the site, called it a “heart-wrenching catastrophe” and vowed relentless efforts to find every missing child.

Previous Clues: Footprints, Necklace, and GPS Signal

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 any missing girl could have reached it alone, suggesting a camper, counselor, or outsider left the trail. Its abrupt end raised 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 the discovery of a silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant under the rubble of the camp’s collapsed chapel, identified as belonging to 9-year-old Lila Bonner. The find suggested she and others may have sought refuge there, only to be trapped. Search efforts intensified around the chapel, but no further remains or survivors were found.

On July 10, a GPS signal from a smart bracelet registered to 9-year-old Eloise Peck, Lila’s best friend, was detected across the still-raging Guadalupe River, an area deemed uncrossable due to strong currents and debris. The signal’s intermittent nature and the river’s conditions have hindered searches, leaving open questions about whether Eloise, her bracelet, or someone else reached the opposite bank.

The Mysterious Text: A New Enigma

On July 10, Kerr County authorities revealed a startling development: Patricia Bellows, mother of 9-year-old Anna Margaret Bellows, received a text from her daughter’s phone at 3:03 AM on July 4, reading, “I’m safe, don’t worry.” Phone records, however, show Anna was last seen at 2:22 AM by a counselor in a riverside cabin before floodwaters surged. The 41-minute gap has baffled investigators, as the camp’s remote location had no cell service after the flood knocked out nearby towers. The text’s origin is unclear—did Anna send it before being swept away, or did someone else use her phone?

Sheriff Larry Leitha called the text “a critical but confusing lead.” Authorities are analyzing the phone’s last known location, which aligns with the camp’s vicinity, but the lack of cell service raises questions about how the message was sent. Theories include a delayed delivery due to network disruptions, someone else accessing Anna’s phone, or the slim chance she survived the initial flood. The FBI has joined the investigation to trace the phone’s activity, but as of July 16, Anna’s phone has not been located, and the signal has not reappeared.

Police Update: Rising Toll and Ongoing 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 not been detected since July 12. The chapel ruins remain a focal point, but the text from Anna’s phone has prompted a broader search, including areas downstream and across the river.

Misinformation and external interference continue to hinder efforts. False reports of survivors, such as girls found in trees, have spread online, while “sightseers” have congested roads, delaying rescuers. Sheriff Leitha urged the public to avoid the area, stressing that “every second is critical.” The FBI’s involvement signals heightened scrutiny of the text, with forensic teams analyzing network data to determine its authenticity and timing.

Victims and Heroes

The tragedy has claimed vibrant lives. 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, with Peck donating dog-walking earnings to rescues. Anna Margaret Bellows, known for her bright smile, was among the missing, her mother clinging to the text as a sign of hope. Chloe Childress, an 18-year-old counselor, also perished.

Heroism has shone through the loss. Camp owner Dick Eastland died saving campers, earning tributes as a “selfless 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. An 8-year-old camper found alive six miles downriver remains a rare miracle.

Preparedness and Climate Questions

The disaster has fueled debate over preparedness in “Flash Flood Alley,” with a history of deadly floods, including a 1987 tragedy that killed 10 campers. Critics question why Camp Mystic’s cabins were built near the river and whether evacuation plans were adequate. The National Weather Service’s underestimated rainfall predictions and staffing shortages have drawn scrutiny. Climate change, intensifying droughts and rainfall, contributed to the flood’s severity, with hardened soil and slow-moving thunderstorms creating perfect conditions for catastrophe.

A Community’s Grief and Hope

The text from Anna’s phone, like Lila’s necklace and Eloise’s GPS signal, has become a poignant symbol of hope and heartbreak. Families have established memorials, including “Lila’s Light” for Bonner’s animal rescue dream and “Lulu’s Puppy Hut” for Peck. A GoFundMe for Anna Bellows’ family has raised funds for search efforts. 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. “That text keeps us praying,” said Patricia Bellows.

The mysterious text, sent 41 minutes after Anna was last seen, adds a layer of intrigue to a tragedy already marked by haunting clues. As rescuers battle treacherous conditions to search the chapel ruins, the river’s opposite bank, and beyond, the nation mourns the loss of young lives and a cherished Texas tradition. The search for the 27 missing girls persists, driven by a resolve to uncover the truth behind the text and bring closure to families gripped by uncertainty.