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Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Who is Lila Bonner? Texas flood victim at Camp Mystic, who had a dream of opening an animal rescue
The devastating floods swept through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, leaving at least 119 people dead statewide, with the bulk of deaths reported in Kerr County, where the toll reached 95. Meanwhile, officials said over 150 people were still missing. The people who lost their lives in floods included several young campers at Camp Mystic. Among the Camp Mystic campers who died was 9-year-old Lila Bonner , who died with her best friend and Camp Mystic cabinmate, Eloise Peck. The two had recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary, according to news station KDFW. Bonner, whose family described her as a natural-born leader and an animal lover, had a dream of opening an animal rescue before the devastating Hill County floods took her life. "Lila was a natural-born leader who loved all creatures, big and small,' Bonner's family said in a GoFundMe. 'Her confidence and determination left no doubt she would one day fulfill her dream of opening and operating an animal rescue,' the family added. The girl, according to the family, had an electric smile and soulful eyes. She was one of 27 campers and counsellors who perished at Camp Mystic in Hunt. Live Events The catastrophic floods occurred in the early hours of July 4, 2025. Floodwaters quickly overtook the all-Christian, all-girls camp when the nearby Guadalupe River rose by 22 feet in just a few hours. Lila Bonner's body was found, her family confirmed in a statement, according to media reports. Lila's Light Foundation to fulfill girl's dreams Lila's Light Foundation, an animal care initiative, will work to realize the North Texas girl's dream of caring for creatures who are devastated by natural disasters like the one that killed her. 'While Lila's life was tragically cut short, her legacy and story will not end there. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for our beautiful and precious girl and look forward to honoring her love for animals by creating a foundation, Lila's Light, to help animals affected by natural disasters—just as she would have wanted,' the Bonner family said. 'While we are still in the process of setting up her foundation, please trust that no funds will be for expenses. Our aim is to help ensure her legacy—and radiant light—continues to shine,' the family further stated The fundraiser has so far collected over $407,975 USD and aims to raise $450,000. Milliard Diamond Concierge, a Dallas-based jewelry company, is also selling a 14k yellow gold cross pendant in honor of Lila Bonner. All proceeds will go towards Lila's Light.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Dallas community's ribbons, prayers honor girls missing and killed in Camp Mystic flood tragedy
Four North Texas girls attending Camp Mystic, Janie Hunt, 9, Eloise Peck, 8, and Lila Bonner, 9, have all been confirmed dead after the devastating flash floods in Central Texas; 8-year-old Hadley Hanna remains missing. Residents in the Highland Park neighborhood said two of the girls attended Bradfield Elementary. Sunday, the school was decorated with ribbons, and throughout the entire neighborhood, there are green ribbons around trees, representing Camp Mystic. Since Friday, there have been prayer services for the victims. During service, Rev. Paul Rasmussen with Highland Park United Methodist Church said, "It is somber and painful for so many, and we are all connected in some way to the folks in Central Texas many directly to those at Camp Mystic but not limited to Camp Mystic but even beyond, and I know we have folks watching from all over online and some of you may not be as directly connected but this has been a tough 72 hours for this community." Throughout the week a group of counselors in Dallas are offering free counseling for anyone in need. "The ribbons are a great reminder that we are all experiencing grief right now. I think it's something small that families can do to let one another but also families who have lost loved ones know that we are thinking of them and praying for them," said Amy Jo Secker, Counselor with Revolve Wellness Collective. Those interested in receiving counseling can contact Revolve Wellness Collective at 214-620-0727. Free group counseling is available July 9-11 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
All girls killed in horror floods pictured as time running out for missing kids
At least 70 people, 21 of whom are children, have died in the horrendous flash floods in Texas, with many victims being young girls swept away from the Camp Mystic holiday camp Flash floods swept through Texas on Friday, killing at least 70 people as the US was celebrating Independence Day. The Guadalupe River surged by 30ft above its typical level with racing watering destroying Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Hunt. Several young girls remain missing as a huge rescue effort continues to find those still unaccounted for. Many of the missing girls are younger children who had been sleeping just yards away from the river. They had been sleeping on the low-laying "flats" in the camp's cabins, with the older girls sleeping in cabins on higher grounds. The director of the camp, Richard Eastland, 70, died as he tried to save girls. US President Donald Trump said those affected by the floods were "enduring an unimaginable tragedy." Rescuers reportedly managed to locate two girls who took shelter in a tree, some 30ft up from the ground. They were found as the search effort continues, though time is running out. Authorities insist it is still a rescue operation. Sarah Marsh, 8 Sarah Marsh arrived at Camp Mystic from her home in Alabama and was confirmed by her family to have died in the floods. Her grandmother told The Kerrville Daily Times: "Thank you for the outpouring of love and sympathy! We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives." Eloise Peck, 8, and Lila Bonner, 9 Eloise Peck, from Dallas, Texas, had just finished the second grade at Bradfield Elementary alongside her best friend Lili, who also lost her life in the flood. Her mum, Missy, old Fox 4: "She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died. Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy." Lila Bonner had been sharing a cabin at Camp Mystic with her best friend Eloise Peck when the deadly floods hit. Her family told NBC News: "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time. We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss." Renee Smajstrla, 8 The family of little Renee confirmed in a Facebook post that she was among the victims. Shawn Salta, her uncle, said: "We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic." Janie Hunt, 9 The mum of Janie Hunt told local media that the nine-year-old had been killed after flood water raced through Camp Mystic. She told NBC 5: "We are just devastated." Brooke Harber, 11, and Blair Harber, 13 Brooke Harber was confirmed to have died on July 4, according to her priest Father Joshua J. Whitfield. He said: "Even if we may never fully understand why such tragedies happen, we are called to respond with love, compassion, and prayer." Blair was also killed in the floods with their grandparents while they stayed at a cabin near the Guadalupe River. The girls' parents had been staying at another cabin and are safe. Still missing There are a number of other young girls still missing who's names have not yet emerged. Further risks remain Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said today Kerr County is under a federal disaster declaration. Mr Abbott repeated his warning about dangers in the next 24 to 48 hours that could pose "public safety threats", with more heavy rain expected. Officials said this could result in even more flash flooding. Affected areas include central Texas and Kerrville. Several other counties in Texas are subject to disaster declaration and need additional resources. Emergency services are working to find the remaining missing people who remain unaccounted for.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Best Friends Who Recently Finished 2nd Grade Among Summer Campers Killed in Texas Flooding
Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck are among the girls from Camp Mystic in Texas who died after floodwaters swept through the area on Friday, July 4 The two girls reportedly just finished the second grade at Bradfield Elementary in Highland Park "Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti but not more than she loved dogs and animals," her mom saidTwo best friends are among the kids who died at a camp in Texas when flooding swept through the area on the Fourth of July, according to local news outlets and their families. Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck died after Camp Mystic was inundated by the rain-swollen floodwaters on the morning of Friday, July 4, FOX affiliate KDFW and NBC affiliate KXAS reported. Lila's death was also confirmed to PEOPLE by her relatives. She and Eloise reportedly were close friends who just finished the second grade at Bradfield Elementary in Highland Park, according to KDFW. They were attending the all-girls camp together when the fatal flood struck. Missy Peck, Eloise's mom, told KDFW that her 8-year-old daughter was cabinmates with Lila. "Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti but not more than she loved dogs and animals,' Missy said. She later added, 'Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.' In a separate statement, Eloise's family said, 'It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that Eloise Peck has been found and is now an angel,' according to KXAS. In a statement to PEOPLE, shared on Saturday, July 5, Lila's family said they were "heartbroken to confirm the news of her loss. In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time.' 'We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss,' they added. Families were scheduled to place ribbons in parts of the community on Sunday, July 6, to honor both Lila and Eloise, according to KXAS. The Highland Park school district superintendent, Dr. Mike Rockwood, said in a statement that many of their students were affected by the floods. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "In the midst of this pain, we are incredibly moved by the outpouring of love and support from our churches, families, and broader community," Rockwood said, according to KXAS. "Your compassion and care have been a source of strength in these difficult hours.' 'Please continue to keep all those impacted in your thoughts and prayers,' the superintendent concluded. 'We will share any appropriate updates as they become available, and we remain committed to supporting our students, staff, and families through this challenging time.' Read the original article on People
Fox News
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Fox News
Texas floods leave dozens dead, missing as crews search for survivors
incoming update… Officials on Saturday confirmed at least 43 people are dead and more than 27 young girls remain missing after a devastating flood swept through Kerr County, Texas. Five young girls who were staying at Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian retreat in Hunt, Texas, have been confirmed dead. Anne Hunt confirmed to Fox News Digital that her daughter, Janie, was one of the campers killed in the flood. A Voice for the Voiceless, a nonprofit that advocates for "the missing, voiceless and crime victims," identified Renee Smajstrla as another deceased camper. Family members identified best friends Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck as the most recent cabinmates found dead, according to a report from FOX 4 Dallas. They had both recently finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary. A fifth camper has been confirmed to be deceased. However, her family asked that her name not be released. This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Digital's Rachel Wolf and Alexandra Koch. To continue reading, click here. After a Texas flood killed at least 32 people Friday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem addressed criticism about notification prior to the flood, saying the administration is working on updating the National Weather Service and NOAA's "neglected" and "ancient" systems. Citing her time in Congress and as governor of South Dakota, Noem said that while the weather is difficult to predict, there have been instances when officials and citizens expressed the need for quicker warning and clearer notification before deadly weather. "That is one of the reasons that, when President [Donald] Trump took office, he said he wanted to fix and is currently upgrading the technology," Noem said during a news conference with state officials Saturday afternoon. "The National Weather Service has indicated that with that and the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] (NOAA), we needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years." This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch. To continue reading, click here. As officials continue to confirm deaths and search for those missing after the Texas Hill Country floods on Friday, locals have started to share stories of incredible acts of bravery and heroism amid a weekend of anguish. Julian Ryan and his fiancé Christina Wilson were at their home in Ingram, when water began rushing through the doors. As the water was quickly rising, Ryan, 27, punched through a window to get Wilson, their children, and his mother out of the flooded house, according to Houston outlet KHOU-11. Wilson told the outlet the glass cut one of Ryan's arteries and his arm was badly injured. Calls to 911 went unanswered. "By 6 (a.m.), he looked at me and the kids and my mother-in-law and said, 'I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all,'" Wilson told KHOU-11. Ryan is being remembered as a "true hero," who was dedicated to his family, according to a GoFundMe created for the family. This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch. To continue reading, click here. Live Coverage begins here
