KERRVILLE, Texas — July 25, 2025 — Amid the ongoing heartache of the Camp Mystic tragedy, where flash floods on July 4 claimed at least 104 lives and left several girls missing, a beacon of hope emerged Thursday when 9-year-old Lydia Monroe was found alive in a wooded area two miles from the devastated Christian summer camp. Lydia, one of the youngest campers at Camp Mystic, was discovered by a volunteer search team, disoriented but unharmed. Yet her repeated whispering of the same sentence—“The river sang to me”—has left rescuers, doctors, and her family grappling with the mystery of her survival and the trauma she endured.
The floods, which struck with unprecedented ferocity as the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, turned the idyllic all-girls camp into a scene of devastation. At least 27 campers and counselors perished, and initial reports cited 23 to 27 girls missing. Lydia’s discovery, after weeks of relentless search efforts involving helicopters, drones, and over 1,000 personnel, has brought tears of joy to a community weighed down by grief.
Lydia was found curled up beneath a cedar tree, wrapped in a soaked Camp Mystic sweatshirt. Volunteer rescuer Emily Carter, who spotted her, described the moment: “She was just sitting there, staring at the ground, whispering to herself. When we called her name, she looked up, and I saw hope in her eyes.” Lydia was airlifted to a Kerrville hospital, where she is being treated for dehydration and exposure. Her parents, David and Sarah Monroe, who had been holding vigil at a local church, were reunited with her in an emotional scene.
Doctors report that Lydia is physically stable but deeply traumatized. She has spoken little, but when she does, she repeats, “The river sang to me.” Psychologists working with her believe the phrase may be a coping mechanism, possibly tied to the sounds of the rushing floodwaters or a hallucination brought on by stress. “She’s processing something profound,” said Dr. Rachel Patel, a child psychologist. “We’re giving her time to feel safe before pressing for details.”
Lydia’s survival story is both miraculous and perplexing. According to preliminary accounts, she was in a cabin near the river when the flood hit. As water surged through the windows, she climbed onto a bunk bed and was swept away when the cabin collapsed. She recalls grabbing onto a tree branch and crawling to higher ground, where she wandered for days before finding the wooded area. How she survived for over two weeks remains unclear, though searchers found remnants of berries and a small stream nearby, suggesting she may have sustained herself with minimal resources.
Her whispered phrase has sparked varied interpretations. Some in the tight-knit Camp Mystic community, rooted in Christian faith, believe Lydia’s words reflect a spiritual experience, perhaps a divine presence guiding her to safety. Others wonder if the “song” refers to a sound that led her to the woods, possibly the voices of other survivors. Authorities are gently encouraging Lydia to share more, hoping her words could lead to the remaining missing girls.
The discovery has galvanized search efforts, with teams now focusing on wooded areas near the camp. Governor Greg Abbott, who met with Lydia’s family, called her survival “a testament to the strength of these young girls.” He announced additional resources, including canine units, to comb the surrounding forests. “Lydia’s alive, and that means others could be too,” he said.
The tragedy has already prompted scrutiny of Camp Mystic’s safety measures. Reports indicate that the camp’s owner, Dick Eastland, who died saving campers, delayed evacuation after receiving a flood warning. The camp’s location in a flood-prone area, coupled with an outdated warning system, has fueled calls for reform. Lydia’s survival, however, has shifted focus to the resilience of the campers.
At a vigil in Kerrville, families and supporters gathered to celebrate Lydia’s return. A local choir sang hymns, and a pastor read Psalm 23, echoing the services held for other victims. “Lydia’s words are a mystery, but they’re also a gift,” said attendee Laura Martinez. “Maybe the river did sing to her, guiding her home.”
Lydia’s family has requested privacy but issued a statement thanking the search teams and volunteers. “Our daughter is a miracle,” they said. “We pray for the other families still waiting.” As Lydia recovers, her whispered phrase continues to haunt those around her, a poignant reminder of the trauma endured and the hope that persists. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office at 830-258-1111.