In August 2000, Samuel Jones, a dedicated geology teacher, set out with his 14-year-old daughter Simone for a special trip to Guadalupe Peak, Texas’s highest point. Their plan was simple: to climb to the summit, camp under the stars, and capture the Milky Way’s beauty in Simone’s sketchbook. Before they left, Simone asked her mother if she would be able to draw the night sky, and her mother told her she would do it better than anyone else.
But after that night, no call came from the summit, and concern quickly turned into fear. The next morning, Eleanor Jones reported them missing, prompting a massive search. Helicopters flew overhead, dogs scouted the rugged terrain, and teams combed the area. Samuel’s truck was found at the trailhead along with their names in the logbook, confirming they had started hiking. Still, there were no other clues—no footprints, no abandoned gear, no signs of distress.
After five days, the search ended with the assumption of an accident on the trail. But for Eleanor, the unanswered questions weighed heavily. Samuel was a careful planner, and Simone was full of life and curiosity. She kept Samuel’s geology books on the shelf and preserved Simone’s last sketchbook, clinging to the hope in Samuel’s promise that they’d call from the top.
Years later, in September 2013, hikers deep off the trail found a weathered tent bolted to a cliff with two sets of human remains inside, later identified as Samuel’s and Simone’s. Among their belongings was Simone’s damaged sketchbook. One surviving drawing showed Samuel and Simone hiking with a third shadowy figure whose eyes were hidden, labeled “Caleb.”
Detective Angela Miller uncovered a 1999 report of a man named Caleb Brody who had harassed a nearby family and lived near the park’s edge. He moved away shortly after the disappearance. When questioned, Brody denied any connection, and with no evidence tying him to the case, the investigation lost momentum. The official cause of death remained undetermined.
Some involved in the original search later admitted that early assumptions of a simple accident limited further exploration. Now, Simone’s sketchbook serves as a precious keepsake for her mother and a reminder that no details should be overlooked in missing persons cases.
Eleanor shares their story to inspire thorough searches and open minds about unexplored possibilities. Samuel and Simone went to share a magical moment beneath the stars, tied by love and hope. Their story remains an enduring mystery in West Texas, with sketches, maps, and memories urging others to keep seeking answers.
