FOUND OR STILL MISSING? Haunting Final Clue Emerges in Texas Camp Mystery

In a chilling development in the ongoing mystery surrounding Camp Mystic in Central Texas, a new clue has surfaced near the site where a waterproof notebook was discovered just days ago. On July 13, 2025, a mud-covered stuffed toy, identified as a plush bear, was found near a collapsed cabin, only 0.6 miles from the flooded cabins where the notebook bearing the cryptic message “Don’t forget Campfire Song” was located. Hidden inside the toy’s stitching was a small GPS device, raising questions about its purpose and connection to the 27 young girls still unaccounted for after the catastrophic flooding of Camp Mystic. This article explores the latest find, its implications, and the ongoing search for answers in this haunting case.

Recap: The Waterproof Notebook

On July 12, 2025, hiker Sarah Mitchell discovered a waterproof notebook near the flooded remains of Camp Mystic, a former summer camp ravaged by severe flooding on July 8, 2025. The notebook, a Rite in the Rain model, contained a single intact page with five words written in pencil: “Don’t forget Campfire Song.” The message sparked widespread speculation, with theories ranging from a nostalgic camper’s note to a distress signal or even a supernatural clue tied to local legends about the camp. The flooding, caused by 12 inches of rain in 48 hours, left the camp in ruins, with bunkbeds askew, belongings strewn, and three young campers—Renee Smajstrla, 8; Sarah Marsh, 8; and Janie Hunt, 9—confirmed dead. Twenty-seven other girls remain missing, and the notebook’s discovery intensified efforts to uncover clues about their fate.

The New Clue: A Stuffed Toy with GPS Secrets

The latest discovery has added a new layer of intrigue. On July 13, 2025, a volunteer with the nonprofit Lost Stuffy Project, which has been reuniting Camp Mystic campers with lost belongings, found a plush bear partially buried in mud near a collapsed cabin. The toy, described as muddy but intact, was initially thought to be another piece of debris from the flood. However, upon closer inspection, volunteers noticed an unusual weight in the bear’s torso. Cutting open the stitching revealed a small GPS tracking device, still operational, with coordinates logged that correspond to locations within and around Camp Mystic.

“The bear was just sitting there, half-covered in mud, like it was waiting to be found,” said volunteer Emily Carter in an interview with the Daily Beast. “When we found the GPS inside, it felt like something out of a movie. It’s creepy, but it might mean someone was trying to leave a trail.”

The GPS device, a compact model commonly used for tracking assets or vehicles, contained a log of coordinates that investigators are now analyzing. Early reports suggest the device recorded movements within the campgrounds before and during the flooding, with some coordinates pointing to areas near Willow Creek, where the notebook was found. Authorities have not released specific details about the GPS data, citing the ongoing investigation, but the discovery has raised hopes of locating the missing girls while deepening the mystery surrounding the camp.

Context: The Camp Mystic Tragedy

Camp Mystic, located near the Guadalupe River in Central Texas, was a beloved summer camp for generations of children until its closure in recent years. The flooding on July 8, 2025, caused by thunderstorms that sent the river surging, devastated the area, leaving cabins destroyed and personal items scattered. The death toll across the region stands at 32, with the three confirmed camper deaths and 27 girls still unaccounted for. The nonprofit Lost Stuffy Project has been working tirelessly to recover sentimental items like stuffed animals, which have become poignant symbols of the tragedy.

The “Campfire Song” referenced in the notebook is a camp tradition, though its exact nature remains unclear. Some former campers describe it as a cheerful song about friendship, while others recall a haunting melody tied to a 1970s legend about missing campers. The stuffed toy’s GPS device now adds a modern twist to the mystery, suggesting someone may have been tracking movements in the area before the disaster struck.

Theories and Speculation

The discovery of the stuffed toy with a GPS device has fueled new theories about the Camp Mystic mystery:

1. A Deliberate Trail

One theory is that the GPS device was placed in the stuffed toy by someone trying to leave a trail, possibly one of the missing campers or a counselor. The coordinates could indicate safe locations, meeting points, or areas of significance during the flood. The notebook’s message, “Don’t forget Campfire Song,” might be a code or reminder linked to the GPS data, perhaps directing rescuers to a specific location. Investigators are exploring whether the device belonged to a camper or someone else present at the camp.

2. A Criminal Connection

A darker possibility is that the GPS device points to foul play. The device could have been used by someone monitoring the camp, potentially linked to the missing girls. The cryptic nature of the notebook’s message and the hidden GPS device has led some on social media platforms like X to speculate about a kidnapping or trafficking angle, though authorities have found no evidence to support this theory. Posts on X with the hashtag #CampMysticMystery have suggested the GPS could belong to someone who fled the flood but left clues to their whereabouts.

3. A Camper’s Project

Another possibility is that the GPS device was part of a camp activity, such as a scavenger hunt or geocaching game, common at summer camps like Mystic. The notebook’s message could be a clue from such an activity, and the stuffed toy might have been a hiding spot for the GPS. However, this theory struggles to explain why the device was still active and logging coordinates during the flood, suggesting it was used more recently than a typical camp game would imply.

4. A Hoax or Prank

Some skeptics believe the notebook and stuffed toy could be part of an elaborate hoax or viral stunt. The precise placement of both items in areas accessible to searchers, combined with their dramatic nature, has led to speculation on X that someone is orchestrating a mystery for attention. However, the ongoing tragedy and the emotional weight of the missing girls make this theory controversial and unlikely in the eyes of many.

Official Response and Investigation

The Pinewood County Sheriff’s Department, leading the investigation, has confirmed that the GPS device is being analyzed by forensic experts alongside the waterproof notebook. Sheriff Laura Bennett issued a statement on July 14, 2025: “We are treating both the notebook and the stuffed toy as critical evidence. The GPS data is being carefully examined to determine its relevance to the missing campers and the flooding. We urge the public to avoid speculation and report any information to our tip line.”

The GPS device’s battery life and logged coordinates suggest it was active during the flooding, but its owner remains unknown. Handwriting analysis on the notebook continues, with no new leads reported. The Lost Stuffy Project has pledged to continue assisting authorities by cataloging recovered items, hoping to identify belongings that might belong to the missing girls.

Community and Online Reaction

The discoveries have left the Central Texas community reeling. “These kids were like family to us,” said former Camp Mystic counselor Maria Lopez. “Finding that bear with a GPS inside—it’s heartbreaking but gives us hope they might still be out there.” On X, users have shared photos of the flooded camp, with one viral post showing the plush bear before it was opened, captioned: “This toy might hold the key to finding those girls. #CampMysticMystery.”

Others have connected the notebook’s “Campfire Song” to local folklore, with some claiming the song is a warning tied to the 1970s disappearance. A post on X read: “The song’s about lost souls. Maybe the notebook and GPS are their way of reaching out.” While such theories are unverified, they reflect the community’s desperation for answers.

What’s Next?

The stuffed toy and GPS device have injected new urgency into the search for the 27 missing girls. Search and rescue teams are using the GPS coordinates to guide efforts along Willow Creek and other areas near Camp Mystic. The notebook’s message, “Don’t forget Campfire Song,” remains a haunting focal point, with investigators exploring whether it holds a deeper meaning tied to the GPS data.

As the investigation unfolds, the community holds its breath, hoping these clues will lead to answers. The waterproof notebook and the stuffed toy with its hidden GPS secrets stand as poignant reminders of the lives caught in the flood—and the mysteries that may yet be solved. For now, the question remains: Are the missing girls closer to being found, or is the truth still buried in the mud of Camp Mystic?