Missing 21-Year-Old Joyce Catherine Badon Found Dead After Devastating Texas Flood – Details

From a young woman being swept away while calling for help to two little girls who died side by side at summer camp, the stories emerging from the July 4, 2025, floods have left families shattered and communities grieving.

Joyce Catherine Badon, the 21-year-old Texas woman who went missing during a flash flood in Hunt over the Fourth of July weekend, has been found dead, her grieving family has confirmed.

Her body was recovered and identified following an intensive, days-long search. Her father, Ty Badon, confirmed the news to NBC News. Her mother, Kelleye Badon, also confirmed the tragic loss in an emotional post, expressing deep gratitude for the support they received and saying they hope to find her other friends, Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca, and Aidan Heartfield.

Before Joyce was found, her mother had shared the terrifying details of what unfolded early Saturday morning. She said Joyce had traveled to Hunt to celebrate the holiday with friends and was staying in a house on a hill near the river. Around 4 a.m., a sudden flash flood swept through the area, washing away their vehicles and trapping them before they could reach the attic.

According to Kelleye, Aidan—the son of the property owner—called his father, Thad Heartfield, during the flooding. Aidan, Joyce, and the other two were swept away by debris shortly after. Joyce was the last person Thad spoke to before the line went dead.

As the search continued in the days following their disappearance, Ella's sister, Mackenzie Hodulik, turned to social media for help. She pleaded for assistance, saying her little sister, her sister's boyfriend Aidan, and their two friends were missing and had last made contact around 4 a.m. near SH-39.

In an interview with CNN, Ty recalled those devastating final moments. He reiterated that Joyce was on the phone with Thad as the floodwaters surged through the cabin. He said her last words were, "They just got washed away," before the call abruptly dropped.

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 seen near 1739 State Highway 39, across from Japonica Hills Road, as they attempted to escape the rising waters and reach higher ground. In a heartbreaking update, Mackenzie later confirmed that Joyce and Reese were deceased, while Ella and Aidan were still unaccounted for.

Amid the grief, Kelleye shared a message of spiritual comfort, saying she felt her daughter was speaking to them from heaven, letting them know that all was well with her.

Joyce is remembered as a radiant, compassionate young woman who touched the lives of many. Though her life was cut tragically short, her spirit and memory live on in those who loved her and in the countless others who joined her family in hoping for her safe return.

The heartbreaking loss of Joyce came as part of a much broader tragedy unfolding across Texas. The aftermath of the Central Texas floods revealed a tragic loss as two young Dallas girls were confirmed among the victims, leaving two families in mourning and a community reeling.

9-year-old Lila Bonner and 8-year-old Eloise Peck were best friends and cabinmates in Camp Mystic, a summer camp located in Kerr County, Texas. They reportedly lost their lives together.

Lila and Eloise were two of three girls from Dallas who went missing from Camp Mystic, along with several other unaccounted campers. After the flood, they became the focus of the public and rescue efforts. The third girl, Hadley Hanna, was still missing as of July 6, 2025.

Lila's family first confirmed her death on Saturday, July 5. The next day, Eloise's family posted a sign outside their home that said that "she lost her life in the tragic flooding," while also requesting privacy to mourn the loss of their daughter.

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 💔💔"

On July 4, the day of the floods, OKCM Search and Rescue shared a post on Facebook to give visibility to the children missing from Camp Mystic.

"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."

Many local communities have been deeply affected by the traumatic ordeal. After the Camp Mystic girls were reported missing, many rallied online to amplify the message, sharing pictures and hopeful words.

Together, the stories of Joyce, Eloise, and Lila reflect the far-reaching heartbreak caused by the floods, a tragedy that has touched lives across generations, from young campers to college students. As rescue operations continue, families, friends, and entire communities cling to hope, mourn their losses, and rally around the memory of those taken too soon.