FOUND BEHIND CABIN 8: A Stuffed Toy with a GPS Tracker Locked Inside Registers Movement 0.8 Miles Away — Still Blinking, But the Tag Belongs to a Camper Who Hasn’t Been Seen
The ongoing search for six missing campers and one counselor at Camp Mystic, devastated by flash floods on July 4, 2025, has uncovered a perplexing clue: a stuffed toy with a GPS tracker, found behind Cabin 8, registering movement 0.8 miles away. The toy, tagged to a missing camper, continues to blink, suggesting recent activity, yet the camper remains unseen. This article explores the discovery, the flood’s toll, and the intensified search efforts.
The Flood’s Impact
The Guadalupe River’s 26-foot surge in 45 minutes obliterated Camp Mystic’s low-lying cabins, killing 27 campers and counselors, including director Richard “Dick” Eastland. Hosting 750 girls, the camp saw 850 uninjured and eight injured rescued, but six girls and one counselor remain missing. The “Flats” cabins, closest to the river, were hardest hit, with survivors like Stella Thompson describing a terrifying evacuation. Rescue operations, involving 1,500 responders, continue amidst debris and treacherous terrain.
The Stuffed Toy and GPS Tracker
On July 10, 2025, volunteers found a Jellycat stuffed monkey behind Cabin 8, one of the low-lying structures destroyed in the flood. The toy, tagged with the name “Greta Toranzo,” an 8-year-old missing camper, contained a GPS tracker still blinking, indicating movement 0.8 miles northeast of the camp. The tracker, likely attached by Greta’s parents to monitor her, recorded activity as recent as July 9, despite Greta’s absence. The toy’s location behind Cabin 8, near the recreation hall where footprints and a prayer box were found, suggests a connection to other clues.
Investigators are tracking the GPS signal, which points to a wooded area near the river. The movement, against the river’s southwest flow, raises questions: was the toy carried by a survivor, wildlife, or shifting debris? Ellen Toranzo, Greta’s mother, told Fox News, “Greta never let that monkey go; it was her comfort.” The tracker’s activity has spurred searches in the new location, with drones and K9 units deployed.
Search Challenges
The GPS signal, while active, is intermittent due to the area’s dense vegetation and spotty cell service. The 0.8-mile distance suggests the toy may have been carried post-flood, possibly by a survivor seeking higher ground. The search, already hampered by mud and debris, now focuses on this new area, with volunteers like Avi Santos wading through the river. The toy’s discovery near Cabin 8 ties it to the recreation hall, where a sealed cellar and voice memo were found, intensifying efforts there.
Community Grief
The stuffed toy has become a symbol of loss and hope. Greta, described as “smart and sweet” by her mother, is one of several missing campers, including Kellyanne Lytal and Hadley Hanna. The camp community, with its generational ties, is mourning, with vigils honoring victims like Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck. Former camper Chloe Crane told PBS, “Mystic is a haven; losing these girls is unimaginable.”
Preparedness Questions
The absence of a county warning system and delayed CodeRED alerts have drawn criticism. Camp Mystic’s emergency plan, approved on July 2, did not include the cellar or account for such rapid flooding. The National Weather Service’s warning at 1:14 a.m. was insufficient for evacuation, highlighting systemic gaps.
A Tantalizing Clue
The blinking GPS tracker offers hope that Greta or others may be nearby. As teams trace the signal, the camp community prays for a miracle, bolstered by the toy’s connection to a beloved camper.
Moving Forward
The stuffed toy, with its active tracker, joins the prayer box, footprints, and voice memo as critical clues. The search persists, driven by the camp’s legacy and the desperate need for answers.