STUFFED TOY FOUND: Rabbit Sewn with Father’s Army Jacket Patches Offers New Clue in Search for Missing Texas Sisters

In the ongoing search for Lily and Sophie Thompson, the two sisters who vanished during a devastating flood at Camp Bluebonnet in central Texas, another heart-wrenching clue has surfaced, fueling both hope and mystery. On July 10, 2025, a stuffed rabbit, meticulously sewn with patches from their father’s old Army jacket, was found neatly placed on a bench two miles from the camp. This discovery, following a sealed family photo, a knotted shoelace bracelet, and a cryptic voicemail, has intensified the investigation into the girls’ disappearance, suggesting they may have left deliberate signs of their presence.

A Flood’s Lasting Impact

On June 15, 2025, a catastrophic flash flood swept through Willow Creek and the Texas Hill Country, overwhelming the San Gabriel River and engulfing Camp Bluebonnet, where Lily (10) and Sophie (8) were attending summer camp. The chaotic evacuation left the sisters unaccounted for, plunging their parents, Emily and David Thompson, and their brother, Ethan, into despair. Despite exhaustive efforts by rescue teams, drones, and volunteers, the girls remained missing until a series of poignant discoveries began to emerge.

First, a plastic-sealed photo of the sisters with the note “Come find us, Mom” was found in flood debris. Weeks later, a shoelace bracelet, tied to a tree and matching a knotting technique taught by David, suggested a deliberate marker. A 12-second voicemail on Ethan’s phone, left at 3:04 AM on June 16, 2025, with Lily’s voice saying, “Tell Dad we’re okay. Don’t come yet. She’s sleeping,” confirmed the girls survived the initial flood. Now, the stuffed rabbit, a deeply personal item, has added a new dimension to the search.

The Stuffed Rabbit: A Symbol of Family

The rabbit was discovered by a hiker on a wooden bench along a trail two miles downstream from Camp Bluebonnet, an area heavily impacted by the flood but accessible by foot. Unlike other debris scattered haphazardly, the rabbit was placed upright, as if intentionally set there. Its fur was worn but clean, and it was adorned with distinctive patches from David Thompson’s old Army jacket, including a name tape reading “Thompson” and a unit insignia from his service in the 101st Airborne Division.

David, a former Army sergeant, confirmed the patches were from a jacket he used to make crafts with his daughters. “Lily and Sophie loved that old jacket,” he said in a tearful interview. “They’d beg me to cut pieces off to sew onto their stuffed animals. That rabbit was Sophie’s favorite—she called it ‘Sergeant Hoppy.’ Seeing it there, so carefully placed, feels like they’re trying to tell us they’re still out there.”

Forensic analysis revealed no immediate DNA evidence due to the rabbit’s exposure to the elements, but the patches’ authenticity was verified by comparing them to David’s remaining uniform items. The bench’s location, elevated above the flood line, suggests the rabbit was placed after the waters receded, ruling out the possibility it was simply carried by the current. “It’s too deliberate,” said Sheriff Maria Gonzales. “Someone wanted this to be found.”

A Pattern of Clues

The rabbit joins a growing list of personal items linked to the Thompson sisters, each suggesting intent. The sealed photo, the knotted bracelet, and the voicemail all point to the girls’ survival and possible efforts to communicate. The rabbit’s careful placement on the bench mirrors the bracelet’s high tie on a tree, leading investigators to hypothesize that Lily and Sophie, or someone with intimate knowledge of their family, left these items as signals.

“The pattern is striking,” said FBI Agent Laura Martinez, who joined the case after the voicemail discovery. “These aren’t random objects. They’re deeply personal, tied to the family’s history. Whether the girls left them or someone else did, they’re telling a story we need to unravel.” The voicemail’s mention of “She’s sleeping” and the instruction “Don’t come yet” has led to speculation that the girls were hiding or with someone, possibly under duress. The rabbit’s discovery has prompted theories that they reached a safe point after the flood but were unable to return home.

Search teams have intensified efforts within a five-mile radius of the bench, using ground-penetrating radar and canine units to explore nearby caves and dense forest areas. Divers are also re-examining the San Gabriel River, though its shifting currents complicate efforts to trace the rabbit’s origin. “We’re treating this as a fresh lead,” Sheriff Gonzales said. “The bench is near a trail used by campers, so we’re looking at whether the girls were familiar with the area.”

A Community’s Unyielding Support

The discovery has galvanized Willow Creek and beyond. The hashtag #FindLilyAndSophie continues to trend on X, with users sharing stories of the girls’ love for crafting with their father’s Army gear and their playful antics at camp. A local seamstress has begun selling stuffed rabbits with replica patches as a fundraiser, raising over $20,000 for the Thompson family. Vigils, now a nightly occurrence, draw hundreds who light candles and tie purple and green ribbons—Lily and Sophie’s favorite colors—to trees along the river.

Emily Thompson, clutching a photo of the rabbit at a recent press conference, spoke of its significance. “Sophie never went anywhere without Sergeant Hoppy,” she said. “If she left it on that bench, it’s because she wanted us to know she’s okay. I have to believe that.” David added, “Those patches were our bond, our way of teaching them resilience. This rabbit is a piece of us, and it’s a sign they’re fighting to come home.”

The broader impact of the flood, which displaced dozens of families and destroyed homes, remains a backdrop to the search. Community leaders are advocating for flood prevention measures, while volunteers, inspired by the Thompson case, continue to clear debris and search for clues.

Challenges and Unanswered Questions

The investigation faces significant hurdles. The trail near the bench is heavily trafficked, making it difficult to isolate footprints or other evidence. The rabbit’s clean condition suggests it was placed recently, but without surveillance in the remote area, pinpointing when or by whom is challenging. Authorities are analyzing nearby cell tower data to detect any activity around the time of the voicemail, though results are pending.

The personal nature of the clues has also raised concerns about potential foul play. “We can’t rule out that someone with knowledge of the family is involved,” Agent Martinez said. “The Army patches, the knots, the voicemail—these are specific to the Thompsons.” Investigators are re-interviewing camp staff and reviewing the girls’ interactions with peers, though no suspects have been identified.

A Call to Action

The stuffed rabbit, like the photo, bracelet, and voicemail before it, has become a symbol of hope and heartbreak. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the bench, the rabbit, or the girls’ activities at Camp Bluebonnet to come forward. A $20,000 reward, funded by community donations, is offered for information leading to Lily and Sophie’s safe return.

The image of Sergeant Hoppy, adorned with patches from a father’s service, sitting alone on a bench, resonates as a testament to the Thompson sisters’ resilience and their family’s unbreakable bond. As Willow Creek rallies, the search continues with renewed vigor, driven by the belief that these clues are leading closer to the truth.

If you have any information about Lily or Sophie Thompson, or the stuffed rabbit found near Camp Bluebonnet, please contact the Willow Creek Sheriff’s Office at (512) 555-1234 or submit a tip online at www.findlilyandsophie.org. Every clue brings us closer to bringing them home.