Families Sue Camp Mystic Following Flood Tragedy
The families of seven girls and a camp counselor who lost their lives in a flood at Camp Mystic on July 4, 2025, are taking legal action. They’ve filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful death and negligence against the camp’s owners, claiming they prioritized profits over safety by disregarding crucial flood risks and state safety regulations.
This lawsuit, lodged on November 10 in Travis County District Court by attorney R. Paul Yetter, includes the families of Anna Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Chloe Childress, Molly DeWitt, Catherine Ferruzzo, Laney Landry, and Blakely McCrory, all of whom were tragically killed during the event.
The 75-page legal document argues that Camp Mystic’s management “put profits ahead of safety” by choosing to house campers in areas vulnerable to flooding to save on relocation costs. Furthermore, they claim the camp failed to develop or implement an evacuation plan, as mandated by state law.
“A tragedy struck our nation on July 4, 2025,” the complaint notes, highlighting that 25 campers and two counselors were needlessly lost in the flood at Camp Mystic.
Camp Mystic, situated on 725 acres by the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country, has a history of devastating flash floods. Notably, a 1990 interview with then-Superintendent Richard Eastland included comments about drownings occurring due to ignored warnings.
The lawsuit details how the camp allegedly ignored weather alerts, camper concerns, and previous flood experiences. Counselors had urged the girls to leave the low-lying cabins, but were reportedly told to stay put.
The timeline of events is particularly shocking:
- 1:14 a.m. — The National Weather Service issues a severe flash flood warning.
- 1:45 a.m. to 2:13 a.m. — Camp leaders allegedly focus on moving equipment rather than initiating an evacuation.
- 2:20 a.m. — A counselor reports water entering a cabin but is instructed to remain indoors.
- 2:30-3:30 a.m. — While some cabins were evacuated, several remained behind, including those known as Nat Hut and Bubble Inn.
- 3:35-3:51 a.m. — Richard Eastland’s attempt to rescue campers from Bubble Inn ends tragically, as all 13 inside drown.
- 3:35-4:09 a.m. — Eleven campers die at Twins Cabin, having been told to wait because “the water was flowing backwards.”
The petition asserts that had the campers been allowed to evacuate, they could have reached safety within just a minute. Allegations include gross negligence, institutional liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Also highlighted is a camp policy falsely claiming that cabins were in “safe and elevated locations.”
Moreover, the families accuse camp authorities of misleading them about the fate of their daughters, who were thought to be merely “missing” for hours after the floodwaters receded.
Adding to their anger, the camp’s announcement of plans to reopen for the next summer season, despite one camper remaining unaccounted for, has further fueled the families’ frustration.
They are seeking over $1 million in damages, including for wrongful death and punitive damages, and have requested a jury trial.
