Two Found, Two Missing: An Agonizing Search After the Texas Floods
Aidan Heartfield, a quiet, introspective young man, loved these weekends, often bringing his girlfriend, Ella Cahill, with him to his family's house. Together with Ms. Cahill's college roommate, Reese Manchaca, and a longtime friend from high school, Joyce Catherine Badon, they drove down to the house, in Hunt, Texas, near the Guadalupe River. The four of them, all 21, grilled, and Mr. Heartfield sent a selfie at around 1 a.m. Friday.
Mr. Heartfield and Ms. Cahill had spent part of her sister's May wedding in Italy talking about what their own ceremony might be like. Sweethearts since sophomore year of high school, they planned to move in together after they graduated from college. Mr. Heartfield was excited about the marketing internship he had secured for his final year of school, while Ms. Cahill had settled on studying business management.
But then, at around 4:30 a.m. Friday, Aidan woke up to water in the home. He called his father, who told them to get to higher ground.
'All hell broke loose,' said Mackenzie Cahill-Hodulik, Ms. Cahill's older sister, in an interview, recounting what she had been told. Mr. Heartfield handed the phone to Ms. Badon, saying he needed to help his girlfriend. There was a scream — 'Oh my god, they just got swept away' — and Ms. Badon said to tell her parents she loved them. Then the line went dead.
In the days since, two bodies — those of Ms. Badon and Ms. Manchaca — have been recovered. Mr. Heartfield and Ms. Cahill have yet to be found.
'It's a stab in the heart really,' Ms. Cahill-Hodulik said. She added: 'They were just here to have a good time. They were great kids.'
As she spoke Tuesday morning, she was standing on a slab, she said, all that was left of the home. The entire family, she said, had driven down to the area to search for her sister and her boyfriend.
Some things have been recovered. A high school photo of Ms. Badon, Mr. Heartfield and Ms. Cahill in Mr. Heartfield's car. His watch and keys. Ms. Cahill's makeup bag. A sweatshirt on a tree limb half a mile from the house.
'There's no words to explain it,' Ms. Cahill-Hodulik said. 'In a way it's comforting, because we have a piece of her. But then I go back and think of just the state of what we found them in. And I go back to thinking of how scared she was.'
She added: 'Our hope is that they're found together. We're going to stay as long as it takes. I don't think any of us will get any type of closure until they're found.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Suspect in anti-ICE Texas shooting granted green card under Biden administration
FIRST ON FOX: One of the suspects charged with ties to the anti-ICE attack at the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, was granted a green card under the Biden administration and is a prior recipient of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada, 38, is the husband of one of the alleged attackers. He is referenced in the unsealed criminal complaint lodged against 10 individuals who allegedly attacked the detention center over the weekend, which resulted in an Alvarado police officer being shot in the neck. The officer is expected to recover. The 10 suspects are facing federal charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and "discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence." Sanchez-Estrada was part of a separate criminal complaint, as he was arrested by the FBI on Monday on a felony charge of "conspiracy to tamper with evidence" as they were executing a search warrant. The unsealed complaint alleges that Sanchez-Estrada was seen "carrying multiple packages from his residence to his truck." The box included "anti-government propaganda," including one entitled "Organising for Attack! Insurrectionary Anarchy." The term "insurrectionary anarchy" is explained as a "subset of anarchism that stands out for its commitment to violence and revolutionary insurrection," according to a Perspectives on Terrorism journal article, which is part of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, from March 2024. The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point also had a journal article in March 2023 that explained "insurrectionary anarchism is regarded as the most serious form of domestic (non-jihadi) terrorist threat." According to ICE sources, he was born in 1986 and arrived in the United States with a Border Crossing Card at the Laredo, Texas, port of entry in 2001, when he was a teenager. He was granted DACA status in 2013, and he filed for renewals for DACA in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Sanchez-Estrada was also arrested by local Texas police for alleged possession of a controlled substance in 2020, but the charge was dismissed two months later. He was granted a green card in April 2024 after applying in September 2023. On Friday, a heavily armed group allegedly lured two unarmed ICE agents into a parking lot by firing a barrage of fireworks at their door, and spray-painting graffiti on their personal cars with the words "traitor" and "Ice Pig," which agents could see from the cameras inside, last Friday. At around the same time, a police officer responded to their 911 call for two men firing rounds from a nearby tree line, and an officer was hit in the neck, which forced the agents to take cover. A July 7 criminal complaint filed by the U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas alleges that assailants shot 20 to 30 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle before it jammed, causing it to malfunction. Suspect Bradford Morris was arrested while trying to flee from the scene in a red Hyundai van. While in custody, he told an FBI agent he had been "part of a Signal Group Chat for a while and that he had been invited to the group chat years ago after attending a protest." He allegedly drove to the incident with another suspect and two people he only knew by their nicknames, "Champagne and Rowan." Inside Morris' van, police found a revolver, two AR-15 rifles, two Kevlar vests, a ballistic helmet and a loaded magazine. According to the criminal complaint, Morris "claimed that he met some people online and transported some of them down from Dallas" to the center in order to "make some noise." Police also found seven suspects in black military fatigues wandering in a field 300 yards away, some of whom were covered in mud from trying to escape on foot. Police said they also had weapons, vests and radios. The attack comes amid rising concerns about hostilities toward ICE and Border Patrol agents amid left-wing criticisms of the Trump administration's immigration policies. This week, a gunman was killed ambushing Border Patrol at an annex facility in McAllen, Texas. A McAllen police officer was shot in the leg and two Border Patrol personnel were injured, according to the Department of Homeland Security. "They vandalized vehicles and security cameras at the detention center and slashed federal vehicle tires. Responding officers made arrests. ICE is actively working with the FBI and the Texas Rangers regarding the incident," a DHS spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. "Threats or acts of violence toward law enforcement officers will NOT be tolerated. Secretary Noem has made it clear: If you threaten or attempt to harm a law enforcement officer, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law," the statement continued.
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of X
Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of X Linda Yaccarino is stepping down as CEO of X after two years leading Elon Musk's social media company. CNN's Sara Fischer reports. 00:52 - Source: CNN Vertical Top News 16 videos Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of X Linda Yaccarino is stepping down as CEO of X after two years leading Elon Musk's social media company. CNN's Sara Fischer reports. 00:52 - Source: CNN Trump told donors he threatened to bomb Moscow on Putin call Donald Trump told a private gathering of donors last year that he once sought to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine by threatening to 'bomb the sh*t out of Moscow' in retaliation, according to audio provided to CNN. The audio was obtained by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, who detailed some of the exchanges in their new book, '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.' The Trump campaign declined to comment on the content of the tapes. 01:36 - Source: CNN Before and after images show destruction from Texas floods New before and after satellite images show the massive destruction left behind from catastrophic flooding in central Texas. 00:27 - Source: CNN Texas Gov. says 'losers' blame others for flood response Texas Gov. Greg Abbott used a football analogy after being asked about the emergency response to the catastrophic flooding that killed more than a 100 people in the state. 00:32 - Source: CNN Scammers target parents of Texas flood victims CNN's Audie Cornish spoke with Senior Columnist for the Houston Chronicle Lisa Falkenberg who talks about how officials disclosed that some parents of the victims of the devastating floods in Texas are being targeted by scammers. 01:17 - Source: CNN Brothers recount being rescued during flood CNN's Pam Brown speaks to two brothers, 7-year-old Brock and 9-year-old Braeden Rabon, who were at Camp La Junta when catastrophic flooding swept central Texas. 01:28 - Source: CNN Video: Home washes away during floods in New Mexico At least three people, including two children, were killed in a mountain village in southern New Mexico, after monsoon rains triggered flash flooding on Tuesday, officials said. Video shows a home in Rio Ruidoso being washed away by what authorities described as 'record-breaking' floodwaters. Emergency crews carried out at least 85 swift water rescues in the Ruidoso area, including of people who were trapped in their homes and cars, said Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, according to the Associated Press. 00:22 - Source: CNN Video shows river rises dramatically in New Mexico flooding At least three people, including two children, were killed in Village of Ruidoso in southern New Mexico, after monsoon rains triggered flash flooding on Tuesday, officials said. The Rio Ruidoso surged drastically from under 2 feet to over 20 feet in less than an hour. 00:36 - Source: CNN Who speaks for Hamas in ceasefire talks? With a possible Gaza ceasefire deal coming by week's end, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Ghaith Al Omari about who speaks for Hamas. 01:51 - Source: CNN Kristi Noem announces end of shoe removal policy at airport security Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy stating the Transportation Security Administration will be eliminating the shoe removal security requirement 'effective immediately.' 01:06 - Source: CNN Texas Governor: At least 161 known missing in Kerr County At least 161 people are known to be missing in Kerr County as a result of the flood, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who cited 'combined law enforcement efforts.' 01:10 - Source: CNN Trump vents his anger about Putin during Cabinet meeting During a Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump expressed his frustration with Vladimir Putin. 'We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin,' Trump said. The remark showed Trump's frustrations at Moscow, which has shown no willingness to end its war in Ukraine. 00:30 - Source: CNN Analysis: How could America arm Ukraine? President Trump said on Monday that the US will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine after previous shipments were paused last week. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh analyzes which weapons Ukraine most needs right now. 01:27 - Source: CNN Floodwaters swept cabin down river Catastrophic flooding in Texas swept a cabin at Camp La Junta down the Guadalupe River with four camp staff members stuck inside. CNN spoke to the father of one of the staff members who said the men inside were eventually able to safely exit the cabin after it stopped. 00:35 - Source: CNN Why Ex-NOAA chief thinks DOGE cuts may have hurt flood response Rick Spinrad, a former NOAA Administrator, explains why he believes the government staffing cuts implemented by the Trump administration may have hindered the response to the devastating floods in Texas. 00:52 - Source: CNN Justice Department says there's no evidence Jeffrey Epstein had 'client list' After months of touting the impending release of new, blockbuster information on accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department announced in a memo that there is no evidence he kept a 'client list' or was murdered. 01:12 - Source: CNN
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of X
Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of X Linda Yaccarino is stepping down as CEO of X after two years leading Elon Musk's social media company. CNN's Sara Fischer reports. 00:52 - Source: CNN Vertical Top News 16 videos Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of X Linda Yaccarino is stepping down as CEO of X after two years leading Elon Musk's social media company. CNN's Sara Fischer reports. 00:52 - Source: CNN Trump told donors he threatened to bomb Moscow on Putin call Donald Trump told a private gathering of donors last year that he once sought to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine by threatening to 'bomb the sh*t out of Moscow' in retaliation, according to audio provided to CNN. The audio was obtained by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, who detailed some of the exchanges in their new book, '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.' The Trump campaign declined to comment on the content of the tapes. 01:36 - Source: CNN Before and after images show destruction from Texas floods New before and after satellite images show the massive destruction left behind from catastrophic flooding in central Texas. 00:27 - Source: CNN Texas Gov. says 'losers' blame others for flood response Texas Gov. Greg Abbott used a football analogy after being asked about the emergency response to the catastrophic flooding that killed more than a 100 people in the state. 00:32 - Source: CNN Scammers target parents of Texas flood victims CNN's Audie Cornish spoke with Senior Columnist for the Houston Chronicle Lisa Falkenberg who talks about how officials disclosed that some parents of the victims of the devastating floods in Texas are being targeted by scammers. 01:17 - Source: CNN Brothers recount being rescued during flood CNN's Pam Brown speaks to two brothers, 7-year-old Brock and 9-year-old Braeden Rabon, who were at Camp La Junta when catastrophic flooding swept central Texas. 01:28 - Source: CNN Video: Home washes away during floods in New Mexico At least three people, including two children, were killed in a mountain village in southern New Mexico, after monsoon rains triggered flash flooding on Tuesday, officials said. Video shows a home in Rio Ruidoso being washed away by what authorities described as 'record-breaking' floodwaters. Emergency crews carried out at least 85 swift water rescues in the Ruidoso area, including of people who were trapped in their homes and cars, said Danielle Silva of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, according to the Associated Press. 00:22 - Source: CNN Video shows river rises dramatically in New Mexico flooding At least three people, including two children, were killed in Village of Ruidoso in southern New Mexico, after monsoon rains triggered flash flooding on Tuesday, officials said. The Rio Ruidoso surged drastically from under 2 feet to over 20 feet in less than an hour. 00:36 - Source: CNN Who speaks for Hamas in ceasefire talks? With a possible Gaza ceasefire deal coming by week's end, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Ghaith Al Omari about who speaks for Hamas. 01:51 - Source: CNN Kristi Noem announces end of shoe removal policy at airport security Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy stating the Transportation Security Administration will be eliminating the shoe removal security requirement 'effective immediately.' 01:06 - Source: CNN Texas Governor: At least 161 known missing in Kerr County At least 161 people are known to be missing in Kerr County as a result of the flood, according to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who cited 'combined law enforcement efforts.' 01:10 - Source: CNN Trump vents his anger about Putin during Cabinet meeting During a Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump expressed his frustration with Vladimir Putin. 'We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin,' Trump said. The remark showed Trump's frustrations at Moscow, which has shown no willingness to end its war in Ukraine. 00:30 - Source: CNN Analysis: How could America arm Ukraine? President Trump said on Monday that the US will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine after previous shipments were paused last week. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh analyzes which weapons Ukraine most needs right now. 01:27 - Source: CNN Floodwaters swept cabin down river Catastrophic flooding in Texas swept a cabin at Camp La Junta down the Guadalupe River with four camp staff members stuck inside. CNN spoke to the father of one of the staff members who said the men inside were eventually able to safely exit the cabin after it stopped. 00:35 - Source: CNN Why Ex-NOAA chief thinks DOGE cuts may have hurt flood response Rick Spinrad, a former NOAA Administrator, explains why he believes the government staffing cuts implemented by the Trump administration may have hindered the response to the devastating floods in Texas. 00:52 - Source: CNN Justice Department says there's no evidence Jeffrey Epstein had 'client list' After months of touting the impending release of new, blockbuster information on accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department announced in a memo that there is no evidence he kept a 'client list' or was murdered. 01:12 - Source: CNN
