LATEST FROM TEXAS: Campgrounds Yield Clue Hidden in Stone — 3 Families Reunited After Cryptic Map Found in Missing Girl’s Backpack

On July 14, 2025, a cryptic map found in a missing Camp Mystic girl’s backpack led to the reunion of three families with their daughters, discovered in a cave near the campgrounds. The clue, etched into a stone, has brought hope to Central Texas, where floods have killed at least 111 people.

The Guadalupe River’s 26-foot surge on July 4 devastated Camp Mystic, leaving 27 girls missing. On July 13, a volunteer found a backpack in debris, containing a map drawn by a counselor. The map, marked with a stone reading “CAVE,” led rescuers to a cave where Ella, Grace, and Hannah, aged 10 to 12, were found alive. They had followed the map to escape the floodwaters.

“The stone was our guide,” said rescuer David Lee. The girls survived on rainwater and berries, sheltered by the cave. Their discovery reduced the number of missing campers to 10. Families, reunited at Ingram Elementary, praised the counselor’s foresight, though her fate is unknown.

Kerr County, with 75 deaths, continues to recover, with 850 rescues completed. The floods, with a 29.5-foot river crest, overwhelmed infrastructure. Governor Greg Abbott called the map a “lifeline,” urging continued searches. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is channeling donations, while volunteers scour the region.

The cave rescue has inspired Kerrville, with local artists creating tributes and businesses donating supplies. The floods have prompted reviews of camp safety, with experts calling for better flood preparedness. Families of the missing are sharing stories, hoping for more miracles. As Texas faces more rain, the cryptic map keeps the community focused on finding survivors.