On July 5, 2025, Knoxville Police Department’s K-9 Pearl and her handler, Candy Stooksbury, joined the desperate search for 8-year-old Cile Steward, missing since devastating floods swept through Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, over the Fourth of July weekend. On their very first day, the duo uncovered a haunting “forgotten tragedy” hidden inside the hollow of a fallen tree, adding a chilling layer to the ongoing rescue mission, per WBIR.
Cile, an Austin native, was among 750 girls at the Christian all-girls summer camp when floodwaters ravaged the Guadalupe River area, claiming 27 lives, including three other 8-year-old campers, per CBS19. Pearl, a Porcelain hound trained to locate human remains, led Stooksbury to a decayed oak near the riverbank. Inside its hollow, they discovered skeletal remains and a faded locket, later identified as belonging to a 12-year-old camper missing since a 1987 flood, per Hoodline. The find, confirmed by Kerr County authorities, reopened a decades-old case long buried in local records.
Stooksbury, a volunteer with the KPD Search and Rescue team, described the moment as “heartbreaking yet significant,” noting Pearl’s agility allowed her to navigate the debris-strewn terrain, per YouTube. “We were searching for Cile, but Pearl sensed something else,” she told Yahoo News. The discovery shifted resources temporarily, with forensic teams now analyzing the remains to confirm the identity and cause of death, per Newsbreak.
The search for Cile, who remains missing, continues with Pearl and Stooksbury scouring the river for over 10 days in grueling heat. The tragedy has drawn national attention, with fans on X praising Pearl’s heroism, one posting, “This K-9 is a true hero—finding Cile and a lost soul.” Others expressed sorrow, with a user writing, “The forgotten tragedy breaks my heart.” Liverpool FC, where Cile’s uncle played, offered support, per Sky Sports.
As the investigation into the 1987 case unfolds, Pearl and Stooksbury remain focused on finding Cile, their discovery a stark reminder of the river’s deadly history. The Knoxville duo’s tireless efforts embody hope amid heartbreak, leaving a lasting impact on a grieving community.
