July 9, 2025 | Hill Country, Texas
A disturbing new clue has emerged in the ongoing search for the five girls still missing after the deadly flood that devastated Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River. Authorities confirmed this morning that a ripped red shirt was discovered on the east riverbank, nearly a mile downstream from the camp’s main grounds.
What makes the find so significant is that the shirt matches the description of what one of the missing girls was last seen wearing before the flash floods swept through the area.
🧣 Torn, Soaked, But Recognizable
According to Texas Rangers working with the local sheriff’s department, the shirt was discovered late Tuesday evening by a volunteer search team combing the muddy, debris-filled river edge. It was torn at the collar, partially buried beneath driftwood, and wrapped around a piece of metal fencing likely washed down by the current.
“We immediately secured the area and sent the item for forensic analysis,” said Ranger Miguel Herrera. “It appears to match the clothing described by the parents of one of the missing girls — a red Camp Mystic t-shirt with the word ‘WARRIOR’ printed on the back.”
The shirt has been sent to a forensic lab in Austin for DNA testing, which could take up to 48 hours.
👧 Families Notified
All five families of the missing girls were notified privately before the public announcement. One mother, speaking through tears outside the camp gates, said:
“We’ve been praying for a sign. I didn’t want it to be this. But if it’s hers… at least we’ll know something.”
The identities of the five girls still missing have not been released to the public due to age and privacy laws, but all are believed to be between the ages of 7 and 12.
🌊 A Search Against Time
Rescue crews, sniffer dogs, and aerial drones have been searching non-stop since the flood hit Camp Mystic three days ago. The camp had no official flood evacuation plan, and many cabins were located near the river, making them vulnerable to the sudden rise in water levels.
Sheriff David Moralez gave a grim update during the morning press briefing:
“We are now shifting from a rescue to a recovery operation — but we are not giving up.”
⚠️ A Town Holding Its Breath
As news of the shirt’s discovery spreads, community members have begun gathering again at the camp gates, tying red ribbons to the fence and leaving drawings and candles in memory of the 22 confirmed victims and in hope for the remaining five.
Social media is rallying behind the hashtag #FindTheFive, with thousands calling for increased resources and a full investigation into the camp’s disaster preparedness.