27 GIRLS MISSING: Torn Camp Shirt Found 0.9 Miles Away Raises New Hopes – But Still No Confirmed Sightings from Texas Camp
The search for 27 missing girls from Camp Mystic in Central Texas gained new momentum on July 14, 2025, with the discovery of a torn camp shirt found 0.9 miles from the flood-devastated campgrounds. The shirt, emblazoned with the Camp Mystic logo, was found snagged on a bush near a remote trail, fueling hope that the girls may have survived the catastrophic flooding of July 8, 2025. Yet, with no confirmed sightings, the find also deepens the mystery surrounding earlier clues, including a waterproof notebook and a stuffed toy with a GPS device. As families wait anxiously, this new evidence offers a glimmer of hope amid an ongoing tragedy.
The Discovery
The torn shirt was found by a local hiker, James Delgado, during a routine patrol of trails near Camp Mystic. The shirt, a navy-blue cotton tee with the camp’s pine tree logo, was caught on a thorny bush near a rocky outcrop, approximately 0.9 miles from the flooded cabins. The fabric was ripped along the sleeve and stained with mud, but a handwritten name tag inside read “Sophie L.,” potentially linking it to one of the missing girls, Sophie Larson, age 10. Delgado immediately alerted authorities, who have secured the shirt for forensic analysis.
“It was eerie, seeing that shirt just hanging there,” Delgado told the Pinewood Gazette. “It’s like someone left it as a marker. I hope it means they’re okay.” The shirt’s location, slightly farther than the notebook (0.6 miles) and cell phone (0.8 miles) found earlier, suggests the girls may have moved away from the camp during the flood.
Context: A Trail of Clues
Camp Mystic, a cherished summer camp near the Guadalupe River, was destroyed by flooding that killed 32 people, including three young campers. Twenty-seven girls remain missing, and recent discoveries—a notebook with the message “Don’t forget Campfire Song,” a stuffed toy with a GPS device, and a cell phone with a heartbreaking voice note—have kept hope alive while raising questions. The shirt, found in a rugged area less affected by the flood, suggests the girls may have sought higher ground, aligning with the voice note’s mention of “getting higher.”
Theories and Speculation
The torn shirt has prompted several theories:
1. A Sign of Survival
The most hopeful theory is that the shirt was left by Sophie or another camper as they fled the flood. The tear could indicate a struggle through dense brush, and the name tag suggests it was deliberately left as a marker. Search teams are now focusing on the trail where the shirt was found, hoping it leads to the girls.
2. Washed Away by the Flood
Alternatively, the shirt may have been carried by floodwaters and caught on the bush by chance. However, its relatively intact condition and distance from the camp make this less likely, as most debris was heavily damaged. The name tag also suggests a personal connection to the missing girls.
3. A Deliberate Message
Some speculate the shirt was placed intentionally, possibly with the notebook and GPS toy, as part of a trail left by the girls or someone else. The “Campfire Song” message may tie into a camp tradition or code, guiding rescuers to the girls’ location. On X, users have noted, “These clues feel too perfect. Someone’s trying to tell us something.”
Official Response
Sheriff Laura Bennett confirmed the shirt’s discovery on July 14, 2025, stating, “We’re analyzing the shirt for DNA and other evidence to confirm its owner and context. It’s a promising lead, but we need more to locate the girls.” Forensic teams are testing the shirt for biological material, while searchers expand efforts along the trail.
Community Reaction
The find has galvanized the community. “That shirt belonged to my Sophie,” said Ellen Larson, Sophie’s mother, in a tearful interview. “It’s a sign she’s out there, fighting.” On X, #CampMysticShirt is trending, with posts urging, “Keep searching those trails!” The community continues to rally, with volunteers joining search teams daily.
What’s Next?
The torn camp shirt is a beacon of hope in a tragedy that has gripped Central Texas. As search teams follow its trail, the connection to earlier clues suggests the girls may still be out there. For now, the shirt—torn but enduring—symbolizes the fragile hope of 27 families waiting for their daughters’ return.