LATEST POLICE UPDATE: Helicopter Picks Up SOS From Abandoned Radio Tower — Team Arrives to Find 7 Girls Alive, 1 Writing Something Into the Floor With a Nail

In a stunning development in the ongoing search for survivors of the Camp Mystic flooding disaster, a helicopter crew patrolling the Texas Hill Country picked up a faint SOS signal from an abandoned radio tower on July 16, 2025. The signal led rescuers to a remarkable discovery: seven missing girls, aged 10 to 13, alive after 12 days in the wilderness. Found inside the dilapidated structure, the girls were huddled together, with one, 12-year-old Hannah Reed, methodically scratching an indecipherable message into the concrete floor with a rusty nail. The discovery, while a cause for celebration, has deepened the mystery surrounding the Camp Mystic tragedy, as the girls’ accounts are fragmented, and the meaning of Hannah’s writing remains unclear.

The Disappearance

The tragedy at Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, unfolded on July 4, 2025, when flash flooding along the Guadalupe River claimed at least 111 lives and left 27 girls unaccounted for. The seven girls—Hannah Reed, Ava Kim, Mia Torres, Zoe Nguyen, Isabella Wright, Chloe Davis, and Ellie Parker—were last seen near the camp’s recreation area as floodwaters surged. A massive search operation, involving drones, helicopters, K-9 units, and over 400 first responders, has been underway since, combing the rugged terrain of Kerr County. As days passed without significant leads, hopes of finding more survivors dimmed, making the discovery of these seven girls a beacon of hope.

The SOS and Discovery

On the evening of July 16, a Texas National Guard helicopter conducting aerial sweeps detected a weak SOS signal emanating from an abandoned radio tower 5 miles from Camp Mystic. The tower, a relic from the 1970s, had been decommissioned for decades and was situated in a remote, heavily wooded area. The signal, transmitted in Morse code, was intermittent but clear enough to pinpoint the location. “We couldn’t believe it,” said Captain Rachel Ortiz, who piloted the helicopter. “That tower hasn’t been operational in years. Someone had to have activated it manually.”

A ground team was dispatched immediately, arriving at the tower just before midnight. Inside, they found the seven girls, weak but alive, sitting in a tight circle. Hannah Reed, the only one standing, was using a nail to etch something into the concrete floor. The girls appeared disoriented, their clothes tattered and muddy, but they had no visible injuries. A small pile of scavenged items—pinecones, a few berries, and a battered water bottle—suggested they had been surviving on minimal resources. The team provided immediate aid, wrapping the girls in blankets and airlifting them to a San Antonio hospital for evaluation.

The Scene at the Tower

The radio tower’s interior offered few clues about the girls’ ordeal. The structure was in disrepair, with rusted equipment and broken windows, yet the girls had managed to access a functional radio transmitter, a relic left behind from the tower’s operational days. Authorities believe one of the girls, possibly Hannah, who had taken a basic electronics workshop at camp, may have rigged the device to send the SOS. However, when questioned, Hannah could not recall how she activated the transmitter or why she was writing on the floor.

The message Hannah was scratching into the concrete was a series of seemingly random symbols—lines, curves, and what appeared to be fragmented letters. “It didn’t look like any language we recognized,” said Deputy Sheriff Mark Ellison, who photographed the markings for analysis. “She was focused, almost trance-like, but stopped as soon as we approached.” The girls were otherwise silent, offering no immediate explanation for their presence in the tower or how they had survived for 12 days.

Survival and Resilience

Medical evaluations confirmed the girls were dehydrated and malnourished but otherwise unharmed, a testament to their resilience. Their survival in such a remote location, with minimal food and water, has been described as extraordinary. The scavenged berries and rainwater collected in the water bottle likely sustained them, though experts note that their ability to endure 12 days in harsh conditions suggests remarkable group coordination. “They must have worked together to stay alive,” said Dr. Emily Vargas, a survival expert. “Finding shelter in the tower and sending that SOS shows incredible resourcefulness for girls so young.”

The girls’ fragmented accounts have added to the mystery. They recalled fleeing the camp during the flood but could not explain how they reached the tower, which was accessible only by navigating steep, rocky terrain. “It’s like we just woke up there,” Ava Kim told investigators. The group’s collective memory gap has prompted speculation about trauma-induced amnesia, though psychologists are puzzled by its uniformity across all seven girls.

The Mysterious Message

Hannah’s writing has become a focal point of the investigation. The symbols, which do not match any known alphabet or code, have been sent to cryptographers and linguists for analysis. Some have speculated that the markings could be a stress-induced expression, while others wonder if they hold a clue to the girls’ experience. “We’re treating it as potential evidence,” said Sheriff Leitha. “It could be nothing, or it could be everything.” Forensic teams are also examining the nail, the radio transmitter, and the girls’ belongings for additional insights.

Online communities, particularly on X, have erupted with theories about the symbols. Posts under #CampMysticSOS suggest everything from a secret message to a supernatural phenomenon, with some users linking the incident to local folklore about the Texas Hill Country. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing and focused on facts.

Theories and Investigation

Several theories have emerged to explain the girls’ ordeal. The leading hypothesis is that they fled the flood in panic, eventually finding refuge in the tower. The SOS signal suggests one or more of the girls had knowledge of Morse code, possibly from a camp activity. However, the memory gap and Hannah’s cryptic writing complicate this narrative. Dissociative amnesia, triggered by the trauma of the flood, is one possible explanation, though its occurrence in all seven girls is statistically rare.

Investigators are also exploring the possibility of an external influence. The tower’s remote location raises questions about whether someone guided the girls there or assisted with the radio transmission. No evidence of foul play has been found, but authorities are reviewing the girls’ clothing and the tower’s interior for DNA or other traces. The possibility of environmental factors, such as exposure to a gas leak in the tower, has been ruled out after initial tests showed no contaminants.

Community Response

The discovery has brought a surge of relief to the Camp Mystic community, still mourning the loss of so many lives. The girls’ families, while overjoyed, are grappling with unanswered questions. “I just want to know what happened to my daughter,” said Sarah Reed, Hannah’s mother. “She’s safe, but something about this feels… off.” Prayer vigils and fundraisers have sprung up across Kerr County, with residents rallying to support the survivors and their families.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation, with teams revisiting the tower and analyzing the SOS signal’s origin. The girls are recovering in the hospital, surrounded by family, but their silence about the 12 days they were missing keeps the mystery alive. Posts on X continue to trend, with #CampMysticSOS amassing thousands of shares as the public demands answers.

A Miracle Amid Tragedy

The survival of Hannah, Ava, Mia, Zoe, Isabella, Chloe, and Ellie is a rare bright spot in the wake of the Camp Mystic tragedy. Their ability to endure 12 days in the wilderness, send an SOS, and remain together speaks to their courage and determination. Yet, the questions surrounding their journey—how they reached the tower, why their memories are incomplete, and what Hannah’s writing means—cast a shadow over this miracle.

As investigators work to unravel the enigma, the girls’ story has captured the nation’s attention, blending hope with haunting uncertainty. For now, the Texas Hill Country holds its secrets, and the seven girls, safe but silent, remain at the heart of a mystery that may take years to solve.