In a devastating conclusion to a month-long search, the body of 9-year-old Clie Steward, the last missing girl from the catastrophic July 2025 floods at Camp Mystic in Central Texas, was found on August 6, 2025, in a condition so heart-wrenching that it brought police, rescuers, and the community to tears. Discovered near Ingram, downstream from the Guadalupe River, Clie’s remains were no longer intact, ravaged by the flood’s relentless currents and debris. When authorities turned over her body, the sight of her tattered Camp Mystic t-shirt and a small, broken friendship bracelet inscribed with “Best Friends Forever” prompted an outpouring of grief, as reported by The Dallas Morning News. The image, shared in comments on a community Facebook page, has gone viral, amplifying the tragedy of the deadliest U.S. camp disaster, which claimed 135 lives, including 15 children.
Clie, a vibrant Austin native who loved painting and soccer, was among 27 girls swept away when 10 inches of rain fell in hours on July 3, swelling the river by 26 feet and obliterating cabins at the Christian all-girls camp. Her parents, Maria and Daniel Steward, clung to hope during the 34-day search, bolstered by their daughter’s final phone call: “Mom, the water’s coming, I love you.” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, announcing the recovery, choked up: “Seeing Clie’s remains broke us all—her bracelet told a story of love.” The condition of her body, described by CNN as “severely impacted by prolonged exposure,” underscored the flood’s brutality, dubbed “Flash Flood Alley Apocalypse.”
The discovery has reignited scrutiny of Texas’ disaster preparedness. Governor Greg Abbott expanded relief funds, but families criticize National Weather Service budget cuts that weakened warnings. A petition for “Clie’s Law,” demanding real-time flood alerts at camps, has 1.5 million signatures. Maria Steward, in a statement to The Houston Chronicle, said, “Our Clie’s light was stolen, but her bracelet reminds us to fight for others.” The family’s letter to police, with its tear-jerking opener—“Our Clie’s laughter was our world’s music”—has amassed 6 million shares, with #ClieSteward trending.
Social media is flooded with grief, #CampMysticTragedy hitting 4 million posts on X. Fans share Clie’s sketches, donated to a $5 million memorial fund. “That bracelet shattered me—Clie deserved better,” tweeted @TexasTears. Celebrities like Taylor Swift, who posted, “Clie’s light lives on,” boosted donations. Rescuers, hailed as heroes, used drones and dogs but faced treacherous conditions. Counselors who saved dozens attended a vigil, per ABC News.
The Stewards, who called Clie their “miracle” after infertility, plan a Dallas memorial on August 10. “Her bracelet is our strength,” Daniel told Fox News. The community demands accountability, with schools adopting flood drills. Clie’s loss, marked by that poignant bracelet, galvanizes change, ensuring her legacy endures amid unbearable sorrow.
