RESCUE TWIST: Found a Third Voice Memo from Missing Girl’s Phone — She’s Singing “Sanctuary” Hymn in Dark, Then Whispers “They’re Coming,” Recorded at 3:17 AM — One Hour After Flooding Began
The search for survivors of the July 4, 2025, flash floods at Camp Mystic has taken a chilling turn with the discovery of a third voice memo on a missing camper’s phone. Recorded at 3:17 a.m., an hour after the Guadalupe River’s catastrophic surge, the memo captures a girl singing the hymn “Sanctuary” in darkness before whispering, “They’re coming.” This haunting clue has intensified rescue efforts and deepened the mystery surrounding the six missing campers and one counselor. This article explores the memo, the flood’s impact, and the ongoing search.
The Flood’s Devastation
The Guadalupe River, swollen by 10 inches of rain, rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, devastating Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp in Hunt, Texas. The floods killed 27 campers and counselors, including director Richard “Dick” Eastland, and left six girls and one counselor missing. The camp, hosting 750 girls, saw cabins in the “Flats” area destroyed, with survivors like Elinor Lester describing swimming through floodwaters to safety. Rescue operations, involving 1,500 responders, continue to search the riverbanks.
The Voice Memo
On July 10, 2025, searchers recovered a water-damaged phone near the recreation hall, believed to belong to Kellyanne Lytal, an 8-year-old missing camper. The phone contained a voice memo recorded at 3:17 a.m. on July 4, over an hour after the flood began at 4:00 a.m. In the recording, a young girl’s voice sings “Sanctuary,” a hymn often sung at Camp Mystic’s devotionals, in a trembling tone. The singing stops abruptly, followed by a whisper: “They’re coming.” The memo’s timestamp and content suggest the girl was alive post-flood, possibly hiding with others. The phrase “They’re coming” has puzzled investigators, who are unsure if it refers to rescuers, other campers, or an unknown presence.
The memo’s discovery near the recreation hall, where drone footage recently revealed footprints leading to a sealed cellar, suggests a connection. Authorities are analyzing the audio for background noises or additional voices to pinpoint the girl’s location at the time of recording. Kellyanne’s father, Wade Lytal, told KSAT, “That’s her voice; she loved singing at camp.” The memo has galvanized search efforts, with teams focusing on the cellar and surrounding areas.
Search Efforts and Challenges
The voice memo has redirected resources to the recreation hall, where CCTV footage showed two girls approaching an emergency exit at 1:58 a.m. The sealed cellar, with fresh footprints, remains unopened due to structural concerns. Drones, sonar, and K9 units are probing the area, but debris and unstable terrain pose risks. Governor Greg Abbott’s pledge to search “every bend of the river” reflects the urgency, though no live rescues have occurred since July 4.
Emotional Impact
The memo has struck a chord with the Camp Mystic community. Lauren Hamner, a camp alum, noted at a Houston vigil that music was central to the camp, with counselors leading girls in song during the flood. The hymn “Sanctuary” evokes the camp’s spiritual core, making the recording a poignant symbol of hope and fear. Families like Ellen Toranzo’s, whose daughter Greta remains missing, are clinging to the possibility that the memo indicates survivors.
Preparedness Under Scrutiny
The lack of timely warnings, with CodeRED alerts delayed until 10:07 a.m., and an unutilized cellar in the emergency plan have raised questions. Kerr County’s absence of a warning system and the rapid flood onset left little time for evacuation. The Texas Department of State Health Services approved Camp Mystic’s plan on July 2, but its details remain unclear, fueling debate.
A Haunting Clue
The voice memo, with its hymn and whispered warning, offers hope that survivors persisted after the flood. As crews prepare to access the cellar, the camp community prays for answers, haunted by the girl’s final words.
Moving Forward
The memo, paired with the footprints and prayer box, keeps hope alive. The search continues, driven by the camp’s legacy and the desperate need for closure.