“We Are Very Sad to Announce”: Police Show Families of 27 Missing Texas Camp Girls One Picture, Leaving All in Shock

On July 15, 2025, a somber gathering at Arcadia Live in Kerrville, Texas, turned to stunned silence as Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha addressed the families of 27 girls missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp devastated by the catastrophic floods of July 4. With the words, “We are very sad to announce,” Leitha revealed a single photograph that confirmed the tragic fate of the girls, shocking families and a community that had clung to hope for nearly two weeks. The image, recovered from a debris field along the Guadalupe River, has brought painful closure to a tragedy that claimed at least 120 lives, leaving Central Texas in mourning.

The floods, triggered by 10 inches of rain in hours, caused the Guadalupe River to surge 26 feet in just 45 minutes, obliterating Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, where 750 girls were attending summer camp. Cabins were swept away, and 27 girls, aged 8 to 13, were reported missing in the chaos. Rescue efforts, involving 1,700 personnel, 167 helicopters, and K-9 units, had uncovered glimmers of hope—clues like a knotted bracelet, a mud-covered doll, and a waterproof notebook with cryptic messages—but the photograph presented to the families marked a devastating end to the search. “This is the hardest moment of my career,” Leitha said, his voice breaking as he displayed the image to the families.

The photograph, found in a waterproof pouch tangled in river debris near Center Point, showed the 27 girls huddled together in what appeared to be a cabin moments before the flood’s peak. The image, likely taken by a counselor’s camera, captured the girls’ faces, some smiling, others anxious, as water began to seep through the floorboards. A timestamp placed the photo at 1:28 a.m. on July 4, minutes before the river’s catastrophic surge. The discovery, confirmed by Texas Rangers, matched descriptions of the missing girls, including personal items like a friendship bracelet with initials and a cross necklace worn by one camper. Families, gathered in the darkened theater, gasped and wept as they recognized their daughters, the reality of their loss sinking in.

The image’s discovery came after relentless searches guided by earlier clues, such as a smartwatch worn by 12-year-old Sarah, the only known survivor, whose footage revealed the girls being swept downstream in groups. Sarah’s cryptic words upon rescue—“It’s time”—had sparked hope, interpreted as a call to find her cabinmates. Other findings, like a torn camp shirt, a stuffed rabbit with Army jacket patches, and a notebook with the message “Don’t forget Campfire Song,” had fueled theories of survival, with families clinging to the possibility that the girls had left deliberate markers. The photograph, however, showed no signs of escape, suggesting the girls were trapped as the cabin collapsed.

Kerr County, with 75 confirmed deaths, including 15 children, has been the epicenter of the crisis. The National Weather Service reported that river gauges failed after recording a 29.5-foot crest, highlighting the flood’s unprecedented force. Governor Greg Abbott, who visited Kerrville, expressed grief, stating, “This photograph breaks our hearts, but it gives families answers.” The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, supported by donations from across Texas, is aiding victims, while schools like Ingram Elementary serve as shelters. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has raised thousands, with local businesses donating food and supplies.

The photograph’s impact has rippled beyond Kerrville. Social media, where the hashtag #FindOurGirls once trended with photos of the missing, now carries tributes and condolences. “My heart breaks for these families,” posted @cmclymer on X, echoing national sentiment. The image, described but not released publicly to respect the families, has become a symbol of loss, prompting vigils across Texas. Churches in Kerrville, lit by candles, host nightly prayers, while community members create murals honoring the girls’ memory.

The tragedy has sparked discussions about camp safety and flood preparedness. Camp Mystic’s evacuation plan, approved days before the flood, was overwhelmed by the river’s speed, exacerbated by the region’s limestone terrain. Experts are calling for stricter regulations for camps in flood-prone areas, noting that the Guadalupe River’s history of flash flooding posed known risks. The photograph, showing the girls’ final moments, has intensified these calls, with families demanding accountability. “We trusted the camp to keep them safe,” said one parent, clutching a daughter’s friendship bracelet.

The community’s response remains resilient. Volunteers, including ranchers and students, have shifted from searching to supporting grieving families, delivering meals and organizing memorials. Local heroes, like Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan, who saved 165 campers, are being honored, though Ruskan deflected praise, saying, “The real heroes are these families.” Stories of the girls’ lives—their love for campfire songs, their braided bracelets, their faith—fill tributes, preserving their legacy.

The photograph, though devastating, has brought closure. Families, some holding personal items like a stuffed toy or a prayer box found in debris, are planning a collective memorial. The image’s discovery near Center Point, where earlier clues like a whistle marked “Cabin 9” surfaced, suggests the river carried remnants of the tragedy far downstream. Investigators, using river flow models, believe the cabin’s collapse was instantaneous, leaving little chance for escape.

As Kerrville mourns, the photograph stands as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the fragility of life. Schools are organizing fundraisers, and national figures, including athletes and media personalities, have sent condolences, some delivering supplies to flood victims. The floods, with more rain forecast, have exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities, prompting calls for federal aid. Yet, amidst the grief, Kerrville’s spirit endures, united in honoring the 27 girls whose smiling faces, captured in one final moment, will forever shape this community’s heart.