Kerrville, Texas, July 16, 2025 — The Camp Mystic community and the city of Kerrville are enveloped in grief following the discovery of eight-year-old Blakely McCrory, whose body was found on July 9, 2025, along the banks of the Guadalupe River, 5 kilometers from the historic summer camp for girls. The young camper, swept away by the catastrophic flash floods that struck Texas’ Hill Country over the July Fourth weekend, was found still clutching a teddy bear backpack. Inside, her parents discovered a small, water-soaked locket containing a family photo and a tiny note, an object that brought them to tears on the spot, encapsulating the profound love of their daughter.
The floods, fueled by an extraordinary 12 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, turned the tranquil Guadalupe River into a deadly force, claiming at least 27 lives at Camp Mystic and 129 across Kerr County. Blakely, a first-year camper from Dallas known for her joyful spirit and love for animals, was among those caught in the deluge when the river surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes on July 4, 2025. Search-and-rescue teams, including the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers, and volunteers, worked tirelessly through mud and debris to locate victims. Blakely’s body was found entangled in riverbank vegetation, her teddy bear backpack—a cherished gift from her parents—still gripped tightly in her hands.
The locket inside the backpack, engraved with “Forever Family,” held a photo of Blakely with her parents and younger brother, taken during a recent vacation. Tucked beside it was a note in her handwriting: “I carry you with me always.” Her parents, Michael and Sarah McCrory, were overcome with emotion when they opened the locket at the recovery site. “It was like she was speaking to us one last time,” Sarah McCrory said through tears, according to a family spokesperson. “That locket was her treasure, and knowing she held it close breaks our hearts but also gives us strength.”
Blakely was a beloved figure at Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian camp known for fostering faith and camaraderie. Fellow campers described her as a “spark of light,” always eager to share her snacks or help with crafts. “She’d hug everyone with that backpack on,” recalled a counselor. The July floods overwhelmed the camp’s safety protocols, with reports indicating the rapid rise of the river caught staff and campers off-guard during a nighttime activity. The tragedy also claimed the lives of other campers, including 13-year-old Mary Kate Jacobe, and counselors like 19-year-old Katherine Ferruzzo, as well as camp owner Dick Eastland.
Posts on X from local outlets like News4SA and community members reflect the widespread anguish, with one user writing, “Blakely’s locket is a reminder of the love these kids carried. Rest easy, little one.” Another shared, “Her note to her parents is shattering. Kerrville won’t forget her.” The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has faced questions about inadequate flood warnings, with Sheriff Larry Leitha noting, “The speed of this flood was unprecedented. We’re working to understand how we can prevent this in the future.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, addressing the crisis on July 12, promised a thorough investigation into the flood response, citing concerns over outdated infrastructure and delayed alerts. “Blakely and every victim deserve answers,” he said. The National Weather Service had issued flash flood warnings, but the intensity of the rainfall outpaced local preparedness, leading to calls for improved early warning systems.
Blakely’s memorial service, held in Dallas on July 14, drew hundreds, with classmates leaving drawings and stuffed animals in her honor. A growing memorial on Kerrville’s Water Street, adorned with teddy bears and green ribbons, stands as a tribute to Blakely and other victims. Camp Mystic has canceled its remaining sessions, and grief counselors are supporting the young survivors, many of whom are grappling with the trauma of the event.
The McCrory family has established the Blakely McCrory Memorial Fund to support animal shelters, reflecting her dream of becoming a veterinarian. “Blakely’s love for animals was as big as her heart,” her family said. As Kerrville rebuilds and the search for 161 missing individuals continues, the image of Blakely clutching her teddy bear backpack, with a locket holding her final message of love, remains a powerful symbol of resilience and loss. The community vows to honor her memory by advocating for change to prevent such a tragedy from striking again.