It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news that Ella Rose Cahill has been found. St. Anne Catholic School in Beaumont, where Ella once walked the halls as a bright and beloved student, confirmed today that she has tragically passed away. Ella had been missing alongside three friends after catastrophic flooding devastated Camp Mystic and the Texas Hill Country. Two of the young women she was with have also been confirmed deceased. Her boyfriend remains missing.
This unimaginable tragedy has shaken families, communities, and schools across Texas. A once joyful summer retreat turned into a nightmare when the Guadalupe River rose with a terrifying force, swallowing entire sections of the campgrounds and sweeping lives away in a matter of moments. The search for those missing continues, with over 160 people still unaccounted for. And now, Ella’s name joins the list of those lost far too soon.
In a moving message, her alma mater, St. Anne Catholic School, honored Ella’s memory:
“It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our beloved alumna, Ella Rose Cahill, St. Anne Class of 2018. Ella has been called home to Heaven, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and kindness during her time at St. Anne Catholic School.
Ella was an exceptional student, renowned for her passion for sports and her commitment to community service. Her presence was a source of joy and encouragement to all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed by our community.
Her family asks that you join us in keeping Ella’s memory alive in our hearts and offer your prayers for the Cahill family during this unimaginably difficult time. We will provide details of her services as they become available.
Once a Wildcat, always, and forever, a dear Wildcat.
“May the Lord grant strength to his people. May the Lord bless his people with peace.” – Psalm 29:11”
Ella was so much more than a victim of this tragedy. She was a vibrant young woman—kind, talented, driven, and deeply loved by those who knew her. Her radiant spirit, her devotion to service, and her love for athletics made her a standout at St. Anne and beyond. She represented the best of her generation: compassionate, thoughtful, and filled with promise.
This tragedy serves as a haunting reminder of how quickly life can be taken. Ella was young, with dreams and goals still forming, and a future that should have stretched out before her. She deserved more time. Her friends deserved more time. Her boyfriend still remains unaccounted for, and his loved ones wait with heavy hearts and trembling hope.
Please lift the Cahill family in your prayers, as well as the families of the other young women who lost their lives, and the many who remain missing. Grief like this is unthinkable, and no family should ever have to endure such pain. The heartbreak in Beaumont echoes through Kerr County, San Antonio, and across all of Texas.
To the friends of Ella, to her classmates, and to the families searching for answers: you are not alone. We grieve with you. We pray with you. And we remember.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, let us be reminded to honor the lives we’ve lost by holding each other a little closer, cherishing every moment, and never taking a single day for granted.
Rest peacefully, Ella. You will never be forgotten.
Wildcat forever.
Please continue to pray for all those affected by the Texas floods, and those still missing.
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