By Natalie Rowe | On-Site Reporter | July 27, 2025 | Hunt, Texas
In a haunting moment that has now become the centerpiece of the nationwide search for the final missing girl from Camp Mystic, a rescue worker on foot patrol reported spotting something that made him stop dead in his tracks — “a small hand” sticking out from a dense patch of flood-drenched bushes.
What came next, according to multiple firsthand witnesses, was the kind of scene even seasoned emergency responders are never prepared for.
“He screamed — not like a panic, more like a sound that tells you something just isn’t right,” said fellow rescuer Amy Dalwin, who was just 20 feet away. “We all ran over.”
As the team pushed aside the wet brush, what they uncovered stunned them:
The body of a girl, curled into a fetal position, partially buried under sticks and debris — but she was not alone. Clutched tightly in her arms was a soaked spiral notebook, pressed against her chest like something sacred.
The first page was open, smeared with water but still legible. Written in shaky pencil:
“He only let me go because I was the last one.”
Medical crews were rushed in, but the child was unresponsive. Officials have not yet confirmed if this is the 27th girl missing from Camp Mystic, though the uniform and wristband appear to match records.
What stunned the team most, however, was what was found next to her — a plastic container, carefully sealed, containing three labeled Polaroids and a USB drive.
Authorities have confiscated the items and issued a statement urging the public not to speculate until the contents of the USB are analyzed.
National Reaction:
Within minutes of the news breaking, hashtags like #FoundInTheBushes, #Mystic27, and #SheHeldTheTruth began trending, as millions reacted to what appears to be one of the most horrifying discoveries in the 14-day search.
One parent, who asked not to be named, said:
“We don’t want just answers anymore. We want justice.”