Parents Confirm Daughter’s Body Has Been Found After Texas Floods as Heartbreaking Final Text to Family Is Revealed

The body of 21-year-old Joyce Catherine Badon has been found, days after she was swept away by devastating floodwaters along the Guadalupe River in Texas.

Joyce had been staying with a group of college friends at a house near the river when heavy rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding early Friday morning, July 4. According to Agence France-Presse, the house collapsed around 4 a.m.

Before she disappeared, Joyce sent one final text to her family: “We’re being washed away.” Moments later, her phone went silent.

Her father, Ty Badon, confirmed her death to NBC News on Monday, July 7. Her mother, Kellye Badon, also shared the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post:

“God showed us the way we should go this morning! We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years! We pray to be able to find her three friends soon. Thanks to EVERYONE for the prayers and support. God is good!”

Joyce had been staying with friends at a vacation home owned by one of the students’ parents. Ty previously told CNN that Aidan Heartfield’s father was on the phone with his son during the disaster.

“Aidan said, ‘Hey, I’ve got to go, I’ve got to help Ella and Reese … they just got washed away,’ and then the phone went dead,” Ty said.

Still missing are Ella Cahill, Aidan Heartfield, and Reese Manchaca, according to the Beaumont Enterprise and 12 News Now.

Louis Deppe, who led a group of volunteer searchers, told AFP that Joyce’s final message gave her family and rescuers a chilling glimpse into the moment the flood hit.

As recovery efforts continue, loved ones, volunteers, and even strangers have joined forces to search the surrounding area.

Tina Hambly, mother of Joyce’s best friend and roommate, helped with the effort by searching debris with a kayak paddle.

“We’re doing a seven-mile stretch, and there are seven teams—we’re each covering a mile,” Hambly said. “Friends, family, and even people we’ve never met are helping.”

More than 90 people have died as a result of the flash floods across Central Texas, making this one of the deadliest weather disasters in recent memory.

The search for the remaining missing students is ongoing.