Stories of two little girls who perished side by side at summer camp and a young woman who was swept away while phoning for assistance have left communities in mourning and families devastated by the July 4, 2025, floods.
The distraught family of Joyce Catherine Badon, a 21-year-old Texas woman who vanished during a flash flood in Hunt over the Fourth of July weekend, has revealed that she has been discovered dead.
A thorough, multi-day search resulted in the recovery and identification of her body. Ty Badon, her father, gave NBC News confirmation of the information. In a tearful post, her mother, Kelleye Badon, also acknowledged the terrible loss. She expressed her sincere gratitude for the assistance they received and stated that they hope to locate her other companions, Aidan Heartfield, Reese Manchaca, and Ella Cahill.
Joyce’s mother had told the horrifying story of what happened early on Saturday morning before she was discovered. Joyce was sleeping at a property on a hill close to the river, she claimed, and had come to Hunt to celebrate the holiday with friends. They were trapped before they could get to the attic when a rapid flash flood raced over the region at around 4 a.m., washing away their automobiles.
Kelleye claims that amid the flooding, the property owner’s son, Aidan, called his father, Thad Heartfield. Soon after, rubble carried Aidan, Joyce, and the other two away. The last person Thad talked to before the queue died was Joyce.
In the days after they vanished, Mackenzie Hodulik, Ella’s sister, looked to social media for support as the search went on. She begged for help, claiming that her younger sister, her sister’s boyfriend Aidan, and their two friends were gone and had last spoken to someone at SH-39 at around 4 a.m.
Ty described those heartbreaking last minutes in a CNN interview. As the floodwaters flooded through the cabin, he repeated that Joyce was speaking with Thad on the phone. She said, “They just got washed away,” before the phone suddenly ended, he said.
Just moments before the line went dead, Aidan was also heard saying, “I’ve gotta go. I gotta help Ella and Reese.” Soon after, all four friends were swept away in the chaos of the flood. Family members later identified the missing group as Joyce, Aidan, Ella, and Reese.
They were last observed trying to get to higher land and avoid the rising waters close 1739 State Highway 39, which is across from Japonica Hills Road. Later, in a devastating update, Mackenzie informed that Ella and Aidan were still missing, while Joyce and Reese had passed away.
In a message of spiritual consolation among the sadness, Kelleye said she believed her daughter was communicating with them from heaven to let them know that everything was good with her.
Joyce is regarded as a bright, kind young lady who had a profound impact on many people’s lives. Even though her life was brutally cut short, her memory and spirit endure in the hearts of her loved ones and the innumerable people who joined her family in praying for her safe return.
Joyce’s tragic death was a part of a much larger tragedy that was sweeping over Texas. Two young Dallas girls were identified as among the dead of the Central Texas floods, leaving two families in sadness and a community in shock.
Lila Bonner, age 9, and Eloise Peck, age 8, were cabinmates and best friends at Camp Mystic, a summer camp in Kerr County, Texas. According to reports, they died together.
On Saturday, July 5, Lila’s family initially reported her passing. In addition to stating that “she lost her life in the tragic flooding,” Eloise’s family requested solitude to grieve for their daughter the following day.
On Facebook, Alive11 Reporter Kaitlyn Ross shared a statement from Eloise’s mother. “Eloise was literally friends with everyone,” she reportedly said. “She loved spaghetti, but not more than she loved dogs and animals.” She continued:
“She had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years we were blessed to have her. Especially her Mommy.”
The reporter revealed that Eloise’s family confirmed her death. “She passed away alongside her best friend and cabinmate, Lila Bonner, who also lost her life,” adding:
“This photo shows Eloise and Lila together: happy, thriving, and surrounded by summer camp joy. Rest in peace, sweet girls. You will never be forgotten”
In an effort to raise awareness of the missing youngsters from Camp Mystic, OKCM Search and Rescue posted a message on Facebook on July 4, the day of the floods.
“Sharing for our friends & neighbors to the south. Our hearts go out to all the families and first responders on the ground in the midst of such a tragedy,” they wrote, along with the pictures of all the missing girls from Camp Mystic — 18 in total.
Later, on Sunday, July 6, OKCM Search and Rescue updated their post. “11 Campers & 1 counselor still unaccounted for from Camp Mystic. Please keep praying. Search operations continue.”
The horrific experience has had a significant impact on numerous local communities. Many came together online to spread the word about the missing Camp Mystic girls, posting images and messages of hope.
The stories of Joyce, Eloise, and Lila collectively capture the widespread grief brought on by the floods, a catastrophe that has affected people of all ages, from college students to little campers. Families, friends, and entire towns hold onto hope, grieve their losses, and unite in remembrance of those who were taken too soon as rescue efforts continue.
