Just moments before floodwaters swept through the home where she was staying, 21-year-old Joyce Badon sent a heartbreaking final text to her family: “We’re being washed away.”
Over the July 4th weekend, torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River in Central Texas to rise rapidly, flooding homes and camps. The water surged to the height of a two-story building in under an hour, devastating Kerr County and leaving at least 107 dead across six counties—including dozens of children and camp counselors. Many remain missing.
Joyce and her friends, Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca, and Aiden Heartfield, were staying at a country house along the river when it was washed away. Joyce’s father told CNN the last contact came during a call to Aiden’s dad, which ended abruptly.
Joyce’s mother posted emotionally on Facebook, saying the group had no time to escape: “A flash flood came through… they could not get in the attic.”
Search teams, including family, friends, and volunteers, scoured the riverbanks. Tragically, Joyce’s body was found on July 7. Her mother later shared a tribute: “We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years.”
Reese’s body was also recovered. Aiden and Ella remain missing.