Tragic Ending to Day at the Beach

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

GALVESTON – A tragic turn of events occurred on Monday afternoon, June 12 when a 33-year-old mother from Palestine fell victim to the unpredictable nature of the tide near the shores of Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula.

According to witnesses at the scene, Brandy Mosley was watching her four-year-old son play in the surf when a wave began to wash the child away from the shore. Mosley, along with another relative, rescued the child but while the relative and the toddler were able to safely return to shore, Mosley was nowhere to be found.

A search was launched immediately. The U.S. Coast Guard, (USCG) with assistance from the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bolivar Police Department and the Crystal Beach Volunteer Fire Department were called in to assist with the search. Rescuers searched for Mosley throughout the afternoon and into the night, but to no avail.

The search was called off on Tuesday morning, June 13 when sheriff’s deputies discovered Mosley’s body approximately two miles from where she was last seen.

Petty Officer Andy Kendrick, a spokesperson for the USCG, said the Coast Guard was notified by the Galveston Police dispatch shortly after Mosley’s disappearance.

“We were contacted just after 2 p.m. that someone was missing. We were informed a woman was missing after her child had been playing in the water and was having problems. The child made it back in, but the woman did not,” the petty officer said.

“We started searching with helicopters and boats and searched into the night. This morning, the Galveston County Sherriff’s Office found a body which matched the description of the woman who was reported missing. Her body was discovered at 6:54 a.m.,” Kendrick said.

The Coast Guard official said the unpredictability of the tides around the Texas coast can lead to deadly results – in mere seconds – even when precautions are taken.

“In past years, we have had multiple people who have drowned near San Luis Pass from the tides coming in and going out so quickly in that area. I’m not sure about the exact number because while the Coast Guard handles some of the reports, there are lifeguards and other entities who respond,” Kendrick explained.

“It’s difficult to say how often people make it in once they go missing,” he continued. “Sometimes they are able to make it back in before we are notified. It really depends on the scenario such as if they have a life jacket on, if they’re a good swimmer or whether they are near somewhere there are a lot of rip tides moving in or out.”

Mosley was the owner of the B’s Hive Spa and Salon in Palestine.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].