BREAKING: Texas Dad Finds Daughter’s Jacket Tied to Fence Post 200m From Camp — The Mysterious Knot That Baffled Investigators

In the wake of the catastrophic flooding that ravaged Central Texas in early July 2025, a haunting discovery has added a layer of mystery to an already heart-wrenching tragedy. Ty Badon, a father desperately searching for his 21-year-old daughter, Joyce Catherine Badon, stumbled upon her jacket tied to a fence post 200 meters from the site of a house swept away by the Guadalupe River’s relentless floodwaters. The discovery, reported on July 7, 2025, has gripped the attention of both investigators and the public, not only for its emotional weight but also for the peculiar way the jacket was knotted—a detail that has left authorities puzzled and sparked widespread speculation.

The Devastating Texas Floods

The tragedy began on July 4, 2025, when a deluge of rain—described as a “1-in-100-year event”—unleashed nearly a foot of water in just hours, causing the Guadalupe River to surge 30 feet above its normal height. The flooding devastated Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio, claiming at least 79 lives, including 15 children, and leaving dozens missing. Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp in Hunt, Texas, where 27 campers and counselors perished, and others remain unaccounted for.

The floods caught residents and campers off guard, with waters rising so rapidly that many had no time to evacuate. At Camp Mystic, cabins housing younger campers along the riverbanks were the first to be engulfed, while heroic counselors managed to lead some girls to safety, even writing names on their bodies to ensure identification if swept away. Beyond the camp, families and individuals staying near the river faced similar horrors, with homes and vehicles washed away in the pre-dawn hours.

Ty Badon’s Heartbreaking Search

Ty Badon’s story is one of unimaginable grief. His daughter, Joyce, a 21-year-old student at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), was staying with friends at a house owned by Aidan’s father in Hunt, Texas, when the floods struck. Ty recounted to CNN that Aidan was on the phone with his father around 4 a.m. on July 4, frantically explaining that he needed to help friends Ella and Reese, who had “just been washed away.” Moments later, the call cut off, leaving only silence. Joyce and her three friends—Aidan, Ella, and Reese—have not been heard from since.

Driven by hope and desperation, Ty joined search efforts along the Guadalupe River. On July 6, while scouring the area, he made a grim discovery: the body of a young boy, estimated to be 8 to 10 years old, among the flood debris. The find was devastating, but it was the next day, July 7, that brought a clue tied directly to his daughter. Ty found Joyce’s jacket, unmistakably hers, tied to a fence post approximately 200 meters from the destroyed house. The discovery was both a glimmer of hope and a source of torment, as it offered no clear answers about Joyce’s fate.

Tragically, on July 7, Ty and his wife, Kellye Badon, received confirmation that Joyce’s body had been found. Kellye shared the news on Facebook, writing, “God showed us the way we should go this morning! We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years! We pray to be able to find her three friends soon.” While the discovery of Joyce’s body brought closure to one aspect of their search, the mystery of the jacket’s placement and its intricate knotting lingered.

The Enigmatic Knot

What has baffled investigators is not just the presence of Joyce’s jacket but the way it was secured to the fence post. Reports describe the knot as “unusual” and “complex,” unlike anything typically seen in such circumstances. While specific details about the knot remain undisclosed—likely to preserve the integrity of the investigation—authorities have indicated that it does not resemble a common hitch or tie that might result from natural entanglement in floodwaters. This has led to speculation about whether the jacket was deliberately placed and tied by human hands, and if so, by whom and why.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, overseeing the investigation, noted that the knot’s complexity suggests it was not a random act of nature. “It’s not something you’d expect debris to create,” he reportedly said, though he declined to elaborate further. The unusual nature of the knot has prompted investigators to consider several possibilities: Was it tied by Joyce or one of her friends in a desperate attempt to leave a marker? Could it have been the work of a rescuer or another individual caught in the chaos? Or does it point to something more deliberate, perhaps even unrelated to the flood’s immediate aftermath?

Theories and Speculation

The discovery has sparked a range of theories, both among investigators and the public. One possibility is that Joyce herself tied the jacket to the fence post as a signal. Survivors of the floods, such as a young woman found clinging to a tree 20Miles upriver, demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of the disaster. Joyce, described as a passionate and resourceful artist, may have left the jacket as a breadcrumb for rescuers, though the complexity of the knot raises questions about whether she could have tied it under such duress.

Another theory suggests that a third party—perhaps a rescuer or another survivor—secured the jacket to the fence post. Search and rescue teams, including volunteers like Tina Hambly, who used kayak oars to sift through debris, were active in the area. It’s possible that someone found the jacket and tied it to mark a location, though the knot’s intricacy remains a sticking point. Could it have been a symbolic act, a memorial of sorts, or even a misstep by someone unfamiliar with standard knots?

More speculative theories have emerged online, with some X posts suggesting the knot could indicate foul play. However, there is no evidence to support such claims, and authorities have emphasized that the focus remains on the flood’s impact and the ongoing search for missing individuals. The knot’s mystery, while intriguing, is secondary to the broader tragedy, and investigators are cautious about drawing conclusions without further evidence.

The Broader Context of Loss

The jacket’s discovery is a poignant chapter in a larger story of loss and resilience. The floods claimed the lives of young campers like 8-year-old Anna Margaret Bellows and 9-year-old Lila Bonner, whose families mourn their vibrant spirits. Others, like 27-year-old hero counselors at Camp Mystic, died trying to save their charges. Survivors, including 13-year-old Elinor Lester, recounted terrifying escapes through rising waters, guided by brave counselors.

The Guadalupe River, once a source of joy for generations of campers, became a merciless force. As one Camp Mystic alum reflected, the “calm, serene waterfront” transformed into a “dangerous and aggressive” torrent, a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability. The community has rallied, with vigils, GoFundMe campaigns, and volunteer efforts supporting grieving families and ongoing searches.

An Ongoing Investigation

As of July 11, 2025, the investigation into the jacket’s knot remains open, with forensic teams analyzing the material and knot structure for clues. The Badon family, while mourning Joyce, continues to advocate for answers about her friends, Aidan, Ella, and Reese, who remain missing. The knot, an enigma amidst the chaos, symbolizes the unanswered questions that linger in the aftermath of the floods.

For now, the focus remains on recovery and remembrance. The Texas floods have left an indelible mark on Kerr County and beyond, with stories of heroism, loss, and mystery intertwining. Joyce Badon’s jacket, tied with a knot that defies easy explanation, stands as a haunting reminder of a tragedy that continues to unfold.