Country singer confirms little brother died in Texas floods trying to save sons, 1 & 5, as his niece now left orphaned

The Sun

09-07-2025

Country star Pat Green has confirmed his younger brother was among the victims who died trying to save his children during the holiday weekend disaster.
The couple's deaths were confirmed by Green's wife, Kori, in an emotional Instagram post on Monday.
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'Pat's little brother John, his wife Julia, and two of their children were swept away in the Kerrville flood,' she wrote.
'We are heartbroken and anxiously waiting for all of them to be found. Thank you for your prayers.'
Pat Green, 53, also spoke out, calling it a 'deeply personal loss' in a statement posted on social media.
'During the devastating flooding that hit Central Texas, my family — like so many others — suffered a heartbreaking and deeply personal loss,' he said.
What we know so far...
At least 119 people lost their lives and a further 161 people are still missing
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'We are grieving alongside countless Texans whose lives have been upended by this tragedy.
'Right now, we kindly ask for privacy and space as we mourn, support each other, and begin to process what comes next for our family.'
Green also postponed his scheduled Sunday show, citing the 'unforeseen weather and tragedy.'
'Our prayers go out to all the folks affected by the floods in the Texas Hill Country,' he said.
While Kori's post said they were still hoping for the missing to be located, local outlets reported both John and Julia's bodies had been recovered.
The tragedy unfolded in Kerrville, Texas, as torrential rains battered the Blue Oak RV Park on the July 4 weekend.
Camp Mystic director's tragic final act to save girls from Texas floods as wall of water tore through cabins killing 27
Green's brother, John Burgess, 39, was with his wife, Julia, and their two sons, James, 1, and Jack, 5, when fast-moving floodwaters tore through the site.
The family had been staying in an RV parked near the Guadalupe River when water levels surged by about 10 feet overnight.
John and Julia were killed, and their sons remain unaccounted for.
Only their daughter, Jenna, survived as she was away at summer camp when the floods hit.
Donald Trump's statement on Texas floods
"The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday.
"Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly.
"Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy.
"Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!"
Witnesses say John refused to let go of his children as the water swept them away.
RV park owner Lorena Guillen said her husband tried to help rescue the family before they vanished in the current.
'My husband was in the water trying to ask them, 'Please throw me your baby!'' Guillen told the New York Post.
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'The man was holding tight to his babies, and he just got swept away.'
Guillen said she saw the family's RV floating away in the darkness.
'It was pitch black, it was so dark,' she said
'The river went up about 10 feet.'
She added the kids were 'so excited' to be on vacation for the July 4th holiday.
At least eight bodies were recovered from the property, she said, and 40 others were reported missing nearby.
Julia, 38, was a teacher at Liberty Elementary School outside Houston.
Her school district shared a tribute, saying, "Our hearts are with the Burgess family, please continue to pray."
John ran a financial services business and was remembered by relatives for his 'infectious smile and community spirit.'
Texas' deadly floods have claimed the lives of over 119 people, and 161 are still missing at the time of writing.
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