Breakthrough in Camp Mystic Search: A Mother’s Call Sparks New Hope

HUNT, Texas, August 5, 2025 — In a stunning development at Camp Mystic, the Christian girls’ summer camp devastated by catastrophic flooding on July 4, a mother received a call from her missing daughter’s phone after 18 days of silence, redirecting rescue efforts and reigniting hope. The call, reported just moments ago, came as rescuers spotted movement near the camp’s old mess hall, only to find an untouched relic from the night 27 girls and counselors perished. This new lead has sent search teams scrambling in a new direction along the Guadalupe River, where the tragedy unfolded.

The Call That Changed Everything

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on August 5, 2025, a mother waiting at the search site in Kerr County received a call from her daughter’s phone, which had been silent since the flood swept through Camp Mystic. The daughter, one of the five campers still unaccounted for, was among the 750 girls at the camp when the Guadalupe River surged from 3 feet to nearly 35 feet in under an hour, claiming 27 lives, including camp director Richard “Dick” Eastland and counselors like 18-year-old Chloe Childress. The mother, whose identity remains private, reported a weak signal and faint words before the call abruptly cut off. Though the exact content of the call has not been disclosed, authorities confirmed that the final words provided a critical clue, prompting rescuers to shift their focus to a previously unsearched area downstream.

The call’s origin was traced to a remote section of the riverbank, approximately 12 miles from Camp Mystic, near the confluence of Cypress Creek and the Guadalupe River. This area, dense with cypress trees and debris from the flood, had been partially overlooked due to difficult terrain and the assumption that survivors were unlikely after 18 days. The weak signal suggests the phone may have been submerged or damaged but briefly powered on, possibly due to residual battery life or environmental factors. Search teams, including Coast Guard units, K-9 teams, and volunteers, have now deployed drones, boats, and ground crews to the new location, combing through mud-caked debris and uprooted trees.

The Context of the Tragedy

The July 4 flooding, triggered by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history, claiming at least 120 lives across Central Texas, with 95 in Kerr County alone. Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old institution known for fostering sisterhood and faith, was hit hardest. The camp’s low-lying cabins, particularly Bubble Inn, where many 8-year-olds like Blakely McCrory and twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence were sleeping, were inundated when the river rose 26 feet in 45 minutes. Counselors heroically evacuated hundreds, but 27 campers and staff, including 15 children, were lost. As of July 29, 10 campers and one counselor remained missing, though recent updates indicate only five campers are still unaccounted for, suggesting some may have been found or reclassified.

The discovery near the mess hall earlier today—a personal item untouched since the flood—had already heightened emotions. Described as a poignant reminder of the lost, it was found when rescuers spotted movement, possibly wildlife or shifting debris, near the camp’s central gathering place. This relic, potentially a camper’s belonging like a necklace or letter, underscored the ongoing pain of families like Lindsey McLeod McCrory, who lost her daughter Blakely, and John and Lacy Lawrence, who mourn their twin daughters. The subsequent phone call has now shifted the narrative from recovery to a faint hope of survival.

A Community’s Resilience and Questions

The Camp Mystic community, including alumni like Laura Bush and descendants of Texas governors, has rallied around the grieving families. Funds like the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and memorials for victims like Wynne Naylor and Lila Bonner have raised millions for recovery. However, the tragedy has sparked questions about preparedness. Kerr County officials, including Sheriff Larry Leitha, have faced scrutiny for the lack of a river alarm system and delayed response, as local authorities were unaware of the crisis until hours after it began. A flood watch was upgraded to a warning at 1 a.m. on July 4, but Camp Mystic’s emergency plans, reliant on moving to higher ground, were overwhelmed by the flood’s speed.

Survivors like 10-year-old Lucy Kennedy, who sang camp songs while awaiting rescue, and counselors like Ainslie, who saved 16 girls, highlight the camp’s spirit of resilience. Yet, the prolonged search has taken a toll. Parents, including those of missing campers like Hadley Hanna and Kellyanne Lytal, have endured weeks of anguish, with some, like Lila Bonner’s family, finding closure only through recovered keepsakes like stuffed animals.

A New Direction for Search Efforts

The mother’s call has injected urgency into the search, now in its 32nd day. The new focus area, downstream near Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, is treacherous, with fast-moving currents and debris piles complicating efforts. Over 1,700 responders, including Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan, who rescued 165 people, continue to work tirelessly. Governor Greg Abbott, who visited the site on July 5, reiterated that the state “will stop at nothing” to account for every missing person. The deployment of helicopters, drones, and canine units has intensified, with volunteers sifting through mud for any sign of the missing girls.

The call’s implications are profound. If the phone was with the missing camper, it could suggest a survivor, though experts caution that 18 days without food or clean water in the Texas heat is unlikely. Alternatively, the phone may have been carried downstream, activated by chance, or even used by someone else. The weak signal aligns with reports of spotty cell service in the area, a factor that hindered communication during the flood. Regardless, the clue has galvanized the community, with social media posts from families and alumni like Trinity University’s Wade Lytal, whose daughter Kellyanne remains missing, calling for prayers and miracles.

A Symbol of Hope Amid Grief

This development comes as the nation mourns the confirmed losses, including vibrant young girls like Eloise Peck, who dreamed of opening an animal rescue, and Renee Smajstrla, described as “living her best life” at camp. The untouched relic near the mess hall and now the mysterious call have deepened the emotional weight of the tragedy while offering a glimmer of hope. For the mother who received the call, the moment was both heartbreaking and galvanizing, a fleeting connection to a daughter she refuses to give up on.

As rescuers race to the new search area, the Camp Mystic community holds its breath. The Guadalupe River, once a source of joy for canoeing and snorkeling, remains a haunting reminder of loss. Yet, the call from a silent phone, echoing after 18 days, has sparked a renewed determination to find answers. Whether it leads to a miracle or another step toward closure, this moment underscores the enduring strength of a community bound by faith, love, and the memory of its “Mystic Girls.”