Human remains confirmed as flood victim Krystal Cain

The father of Krystal Cain, who went missing in floodwaters almost three years ago, has spoken for the first time since forensic testing confirmed that the human remains found by hunters west of Gympie were his daughter.

The remains of Krystal Jasmine Cain, swept away in raging flood waters in 2022, were found by hunters at Booubyjan.

After almost three years of pain wondering if he would ever lay his beloved daughter to rest, Lenny Cain will finally be able to give his little girl the send-off she deserves.

Human remains found by hunters at Booubyjan on October 20, have been confirmed to be those of Mr Cain’s daughter.

Fourteen-year-old Krystal Cain went missing in raging flood waters at Booubyjan on the night of January 8, 2022.

The two had made the journey from Echuca, Victoria and were on a road trip to celebrate Krystal’s grandfather’s birthday at Agnes Water, near Gladstone.

The plan was to drive inland through the country town of Biggenden, a route Mr Cain knew well.

Unbeknown to the pair, a torrential downpour from ex-tropical cyclone Seth had dumped more than 650mm of water in areas across the Wide Bay, turning creeks into swollen, raging rivers and destroying everything in their path.

While driving across a bridge on Murgon Gayndah Rd, near the intersection of the Burnett Hwy that afternoon, they heard a loud thud as the car struck a pothole.

Krystal Cain was swept away by raging flood waters at Booubyjan in January 2022. Photo: supplied.

The Camry was dead, leaving them stranded in the middle of the bridge as the creek below them began to rise.

Mr Cain put the hazard lights on and got out of the car to investigate while Krystal remained in the back seat, fixated on her drawing.

When the water first crept up over the bridge it barely touch his tyres but within minutes it was pouring through the windows of the broken down car.

Eventually Krystal noticed the car was drifting away, and the pair were sucked into the floodwaters.

They managed to scramble to safety in a tree, but after five harrowing hours, they were both thrown back into the water when a branch they were sitting on broke.

Krystal and Lenny Cain spend hours clinging to a tree in floodwaters before Krystal was swept away. Photo: Supplied

Mr Cain resurfaced after more than a minute-and-a-half, but Krystal had been swept away.

Despite a massive search that went on for weeks, she was never found.

But on Sunday, October 20, 2024, almost three years later, human remains were found near the same waterway at Booubyjan, 2km downstream from where Krystal disappeared.

Hunters reportedly discovered the bones on a “remote” property.

It has now finally been confirmed those remains belong to Mr Cain’s beloved daughter.

Speaking to The Gympie Times on Thursday, Mr Cain said he was relieved to finally have answers.

“I’m actually happy they’ve found her,” he said.

“I’ll be able to lay her to rest now. She deserves that.”

Krystal Cain and her dad Lenny before the pair were caught in raging flood waters west of Gympie in January 2022. Photo: supplied.

Mr Cain said he was surrounded by support and while he was still sad, finding his daughter was all he had wanted for the past three years.

He had been told Krystal’s remains might never be found.

But now he will be able to hold a funeral for his beloved daughter, who was a talented artist with a kind and caring heart.

At her school in Ballarat, Krystal was known for making new children feel welcome and sharing her lunch with those less fortunate than her.

Mr Cain said her school had named an award in her honour for other quiet achievers.

While he won’t be able to be there to see the first one handed out next month, Mr Cain said it was a comfort to know Krystal lived on in the hearts and minds of so many.

A funeral for Krystal Jasmine Cain will be held in Bundaberg in January.

He was embraced by the Goomeri community in the wake of the tragedy, as he desperately waited to hear news of Krystal.

He shared the news of the confirmation on the Goomeri Community Group Facebook page on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

In the post, he shared his appreciation for all the community had done, for its love and “beautiful messages”.

A funeral will be held for Krystal on January 10, 2025 at Des Allen Funerals in Bundaberg after a private cremation.

Mr Cain said he could still feel Krystal with him, even more so now her remains had been found.

The family has Indigenous heritage and Mr Cain said he felt the eagle was their “ultimate spirit”.

Now, whenever he is out driving, he regularly sees eagles flying overhead.

“I know Krystal is with me and I’m going to be safe,” he said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the family with paying for Krystal’s funeral, which has raised more than $2600 as of Thursday afternoon.