TEXAS — After weeks of searching, authorities have now confirmed that they have found the last of the 27 girls who went missing from Camp Mystic during the devastating storm.

The young girl was discovered just 800 meters from her family’s home, in a wooded area that had only recently become accessible following the floodwaters’ retreat. According to officials, the location had been searched before, but dense debris and unstable ground made it difficult to navigate in earlier stages of the rescue efforts.

“She was lying peacefully,” said one officer at the scene.
“There were no immediate signs of struggle. But when we saw her face… we all went quiet.”

A Moment That Broke Everyone’s Heart

The girl’s identity has not been publicly released, in respect for the family’s privacy, but police confirmed that she was the youngest among the 27 missing. First responders and volunteers who had been part of the search described the moment of discovery as “deeply emotional.”

“We’ve seen so much in the past few weeks,” one rescuer said.
“But this moment… it was different. It felt like the entire town stopped breathing.”

Several officers and medical workers at the scene reportedly could not hold back tears upon confirming her identity. Many had spoken to the girl’s parents in previous days and had hoped to bring closure — but not in this way.

Community in Mourning

In the hours following the announcement, local residents began leaving flowers, candles, and messages near the edge of the wooded trail where she was found. Schoolmates and neighbors gathered quietly, some holding hands, others simply standing in silence.

“She was almost home,” said a family friend.
“So close. We were praying for a miracle.”

The girl’s family has asked for privacy, but issued a short statement thanking everyone who helped in the search, and asking people to remember the joy she brought to those around her.

Investigation Continues

Authorities are still investigating the full circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the 27 girls, and whether environmental factors, structural negligence, or other causes played a role. With the final discovery, forensic teams now have the full picture to help reconstruct the timeline of what truly happened during the storm.

“This is the end of one chapter,” said Detective Lila Moreno.
“But it’s also the beginning of understanding.”

Girls killed in Texas floods pictured as time running out for missing Camp Mystic kids

At least 70 people, 21 of whom are children, have died in the horrendous flash floods in Texas, with many victims being young girls swept away from the Camp Mystic holiday camp

Sisters Blair and Brooke Harber were among the victims of the Texas floods (Image: Handout)

Flash floods swept through Texas on Friday, killing at least 70 people as the US was celebrating Independence Day.

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The Guadalupe River surged by 30ft above its typical level with racing watering destroying Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Hunt. Several young girls remain missing as a huge rescue effort continues to find those still unaccounted for. Many of the missing girls are younger children who had been sleeping just yards away from the river. They had been sleeping on the low-laying “flats” in the camp’s cabins, with the older girls sleeping in cabins on higher grounds.

The director of the camp, Richard Eastland, 70, died as he tried to save girls. US President Donald Trump said those affected by the floods were “enduring an unimaginable tragedy.”

Rescuers reportedly managed to locate two girls who took shelter in a tree, some 30ft up from the ground. They were found as the search effort continues, though time is running out. Authorities insist it is still a rescue operation.

Sarah Marsh, 8

The Alabama native was among those who died (Image: Debbie Marsh /Facebook)

Sarah Marsh arrived at Camp Mystic from her home in Alabama and was confirmed by her family to have died in the floods. Her grandmother told The Kerrville Daily Times: “Thank you for the outpouring of love and sympathy! We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives.”

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Eloise Peck, 8, and Lila Bonner, 9

Eloise Peck (L) and Lila Bonner (R) were best friends

Eloise Peck, from Dallas, Texas, had just finished the second grade at Bradfield Elementary alongside her best friend Lili, who also lost her life in the flood.

Her mum, Missy, old Fox 4: “She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died. Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.”

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Lila Bonner had been sharing a cabin at Camp Mystic with her best friend Eloise Peck when the deadly floods hit. Her family told NBC News: “In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time. We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”

Renee Smajstrla, 8

Renee Smajstrla will “forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic,” her family said (Image: Facebook)

The family of little Renee confirmed in a Facebook post that she was among the victims. Shawn Salta, her uncle, said: “We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.”

 

Janie Hunt, 9

Janie Hunt died in the July 4 floods (Image: Anne Hunt)

The mum of Janie Hunt told local media that the nine-year-old had been killed after flood water raced through Camp Mystic. She told NBC 5: “We are just devastated.”

Brooke Harber, 11, and Blair Harber, 13

Sisters Brooke and Blair Harber died(Image: Handout)

 

Brooke Harber was confirmed to have died on July 4, according to her priest Father Joshua J. Whitfield. He said: “Even if we may never fully understand why such tragedies happen, we are called to respond with love, compassion, and prayer.”

Blair was also killed in the floods with their grandparents while they stayed at a cabin near the Guadalupe River. The girls’ parents had been staying at another cabin and are safe.

Still missing

Ella Cahill is among the missing girls (Image: FOX4)

 

Reese Manchaca(Image: FOX4)

Joyce Badon remains missing(Image: FOX4)

Lainey Landry

KellyAnne Lytal