What was expected to be a regular weekend trip with friends turned into a devastating incident in Texas’s Hill Country. Aidan Heartfield, a quiet and introspective young man, cherished these weekends, often inviting his girlfriend, Ella Cahill, to join him at his family’s home. The group included Ms. Cahill’s college roommate, Reese Manchaca, and a high school friend, Joyce Catherine Badon. Together, they journeyed to Hunt, Texas, located near the scenic Guadalupe River. The four friends, all 21 years old, started their weekend with a lively grilling session and shared moments together.
On Friday, around 1 a.m., Mr. Heartfield captured a selfie, showcasing the joy of their weekend getaway. He and Ms. Cahill had just spent part of her sister’s wedding in Italy, discussing their own future wedding plans. Having been sweethearts since their sophomore year of high school, they were excited about moving in together after graduating from college. Mr. Heartfield was looking forward to a promising marketing internship he had secured for his final year, while Ms. Cahill was focused on her studies in business management.
However, the atmosphere shifted drastically around 4:30 a.m. on Friday when Aidan was awakened by water flooding the home. In a moment of urgency, he called his father, who advised him to seek higher ground. Mackenzie Cahill-Hodulik, Ms. Cahill’s older sister, recounted the chaotic scene in an interview. “All hell broke loose,” she said, as Mr. Heartfield handed the phone to Ms. Badon, indicating that he needed to assist his girlfriend. Suddenly, a scream pierced the night: “Oh my god, they just got swept away.” Shortly after, Ms. Badon told her parents she loved them, and then the line went dead.
In the days that followed, tragedy struck as the bodies of Ms. Badon and Ms. Manchaca were recovered. However, the search for Mr. Heartfield and Ms. Cahill continues, leaving their families and friends in despair. “It’s a stab in the heart really,” Ms. Cahill-Hodulik expressed, emphasizing that they were merely there to enjoy a weekend with friends. She stood at what was left of the family’s home, describing how the entire family had come to the area to search for her sister and Aidan.
As the recovery efforts progressed, some personal belongings were found, including a high school photo of Ms. Badon, Mr. Heartfield, and Ms. Cahill in Mr. Heartfield’s car, as well as his watch, keys, and Ms. Cahill’s makeup bag. A sweatshirt was discovered hanging from a tree limb half a mile from the house. “There are no words to explain it,” Ms. Cahill-Hodulik lamented. “In a way it’s comforting, because we have a piece of her. But then I think about the state of what we found and how scared she must have been.”
Ms. Cahill-Hodulik shared her hope that Aidan and Ella would be found together. “We’re going to stay as long as it takes. I don’t think any of us will find closure until they’re found,” she stated, capturing the emotional weight of the situation. The community continues to rally around the families, offering support and prayers as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy.
