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The Sun
08-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Tragic pics of youngest victims in Texas floods from twin sisters, 8, to family member, 9, of Kansas City Chiefs owner
The flash floods that tore through Central Texas last week took the lives of over 100 people, with the count still rising as crews search for missing victims. Many of those victims were children as young as 8 years old and some are still missing. 5 5 Here are some of the youngest victims revealed, from summer camp attendees to sisters on family vacation. Anna Margaret Bellows, 8 Houston resident Anna Margaret Bellows, a camper at Camp Mystic, was confirmed as a victim by the Houston Chronicle. She was 8. Patricia Bellows, her mother, told ABC13 Houston that she had "unending gratitude for the brave camp counselors who safely evacuated so many campers, and the two camp counselors who gave their lives trying to protect my baby." Linnie McCown, 8 Austinite Linnie McCown was another 8-year-old camper at Camp Mystic who fell victim to the deadly floods. Her father, Michael, wrote in a social media post: "She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain. We are going to miss her so very much but know she's up there shining bright." The Washington Post wrote an article following Michael through Camp Mystic as he searched for his daughter. During his walk around the camp, he found another girl's body as he looked for Linnie. What we know so far... Torrential rain sparked deadly flash flooding around the Guadalupe River in Texas in the early morning of July 4 At least 105 people lost their lives, mostly in Kerr County, and rescue teams continue to search for missing people, but hope for survival is dimming Families of some Camp Mystic girls have confirmed their deaths Haunting pictures show empty bunks after 27 girls and counselors were killed A woman was rescued by clinging to a tree after being washed 20 miles downstream Two brothers told of their brave escape from a flooded cabin The victims include the niece of the Kansas City Chiefs' owners, a dad who died while saving his wife and kids, a beloved high school coach, and sisters who were found dead with their hands locked together Mourners gathered for a vigil Monday night to honor the victims Mary Stevens, 8 Mary Stevens was also among the victims at Camp Mystic. The 8-year-old girl was from Austin. Camp Mystic director's tragic final act to save girls from Texas floods as wall of water tore through cabins killing 27 "You have left the most positive impact on everyone who knew you. I'm the luckiest that I got to be your mom and I will never stop loving you and trying to live life as you did," her mother, Stacy Stevens, wrote, according to the Austin American-Statesman. "Fearless. Enthusiastic. Compassionate. And full of joy." Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8 Twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence were killed during the flooding, and the 8-year-old girls were also Camp Mystic campers. David Lawrence Jr., their grandfather, confirmed their deaths. 'Hanna and Rebecca gave their parents John and Lacy and sister Harper, and all in our family, so much joy,' he said, according to the Detroit Free Press. 'They and that joy can never be forgotten.' The youngest victims of the Texas floods Multiple children have been confirmed to be dead after the catastrophic floods. Anna Margaret Bellows, 8 Linnie McCown, 8 Mary Stevens, 8 Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8 Mary Kathryn Jacobe, 8 Hadley Hanna, 8 Renee Smajstrla, 8 Sarah Marsh, 8 Janie Hunt, 9 Eloise Peck, 8 Lila Bonner, 9 Lainey Landry, 9 Blair and Brooke Harber, 13 and 11 Mary Kathryn Jacobe, 8 Mary Kathryn Jacobe also died at Camp Mystic, her death confirmed by FOX 26 Houston. "Our hearts are shattered and our words fail us,' a cousin wrote on social media. "God called Home our angel cousin, Mary Kate." Hadley Hanna, 8 Hadley Hanna, another Camp Mystic attendee, was among the 27 campers and counselors killed. Her parents sent a statement to KDFW Fox 4 asking for privacy. "The constant spotlight and inquiries — however well-intended — add to our distress. We appreciate your empathy, your prayers, and understanding." Renee Smajstrla, 8 5 Renee Smajstrla was having "the time of her life" at Camp Mystic before the tragic flooding, her uncle, Shawn Salta, said. "She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic." Sarah Marsh, 8 Sarah Marsh was also killed during the floods at Camp Mystic, according to The 8-year-old was from Alabama. 'Our family is completely devastated by the loss of Sarah and her dear friends at Camp Mystic. This is a tragedy that no parent can prepare for, and it will never be right this side of Heaven," her family said in a statement. "While we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, we request privacy as we navigate the unimaginable steps ahead." Janie Hunt, 9 Janie Hunt, a Dallas resident, was at Camp Mystic for the first time when she died. Janie was a family member of Kansas City Chief co-owner Clark Hunt. "How do we trust a God who is supposed to be good, all knowing and all powerful, but who allows such terrible things to happen — even to children," Tavia Hunt, his wife, posted on Instagram. "Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods in Wimberley and the tragic loss of so many lives — including a precious little Hunt cousin, along with several friend's little girls." Eloise Peck, 8, and Lila Bonner, 9 Best friends Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner also died at the camp. The two were cabin mates and had just finished second grade at the same school. "Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti but not more than she loved dogs and animals," Missy Peck, Eloise's mother, told KDFW Fox 4. "She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died." Bonner's family said in a statement: "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time.' Lainey Landry, 9 Lainey Landry, a 9-year-old Camp Mystic camper, also died due to the flooding, according to nonprofit A Voice For The Voiceless. Houston ABC 13 reporter Travis Herzog wrote that her parents "want everyone to know she is tough, sweet, and super funny," before her body was found. Blair and Brooke Harber, 13 and 11 5 The Harber sisters were on family vacation near the Guadalupe River when the flash flooding occurred. About 12 hours later, their bodies were discovered together, holding hands. "They were believers and one of their favorite classes was religion," Jennifer said of Blair and Brooke. "Blair and I had a conversation about God and heaven two weeks earlier. They had their rosaries with them."
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Camp Mystic: 27 campers, counselors dead; still searching for 10 others
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Camp Mystic confirmed the deaths of 27 campers and counselors from flash flooding that swept through the camp in the early morning of July 4. According to an update posted on its website Monday morning, the camp said its community grieves their losses. Previous: Families confirm Austin children among Camp Mystic flood victims 'Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,' the website read. 'We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.' The families of two Austin Independent School District students who attended Camp Mystic confirmed their 8-year-old daughters did not survive the flash floods that inundated the camp. Linnie McCown was a student at Casis Elementary, according to her father Michael. Hundreds gathered outside the Tarrytown school on Sunday to mourn the elementary student, who her parents said, 'filled [their] hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain.' Family confirmed on social media Mystic camper Mary Stevens was also among those who did not survive the flooding. Stevens was a student at Austin ISD's Highland Park Elementary School. Camp Mystic is a near century old all-girls Christian camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The camp has been run by couple Dick and Tweety Eastland since they purchased it in 1974. The grandson of Dick Eastland confirmed on social media his grandfather, Dick, died 'saving the girls that he so loved and cared for.' On social media, several families from across Texas have confirmed that their daughters did not survive the historic flooding that deluged the camp. The family of camper Lila Bonner told KXAN she was among those killed in the flooding. In a statement, her family said, 'We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.' Images show aftermath of Camp Mystic flooding One of the deceased is Chloe Childress, 19, a former camper turned camp counselor. Her family sent out a statement to media Monday morning, in which they said that Chloe 'lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith.' The camp also said it has been in communication with authorities, who were 'tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls,' according to the camp's statement. According to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, 10 campers and one counselor were unaccounted for as of Sunday evening. Trinity University posted a message from University President Vanessa Beasley to X on Sunday sharing Senior Aidan Heartfield and the young daughter of Trinity football offensive coordinator Wade Lytal 'remain among those missing after the devastating flooding along the Guadalupe River.' Lytal posted to X on Sunday that his daughter, Kellyanne, is one of the Mystic campers still unaccounted for. He told KXAN in a statement, 'Please ask for prayers for all those missing, their families and the men and women who are searching for our loved ones.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Families confirm Austin children among Camp Mystic flood victims
AUSTIN (KXAN) – Family members have confirmed that multiple young girls attending Camp Mystic, a beloved Hill Country summer camp, did not survive the catastrophic flooding that struck the area over the July 4th weekend. Multiple sources also confirm the camp's longtime owner and director Dick Eastland died while trying to save a group of campers. Officials said the nearly 100-year-old camp, located along the Guadalupe River, was hosting roughly 750 children at the time. Austinite Michael McCown posted on Instagram that his daughter, Linnie, did not survive the flood at Camp Mystic. 'It's with the heaviest of hearts we must share that our sweet little Linnie is with the Lord in heaven,' McCown said on Instagram. 'She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain.' McCown confirmed Linnie was a student at Casis Elementary School in Austin. A vigil is planned outside the school at 7:15 p.m. Sunday. The family of camper Lila Bonner also confirmed to KXAN on Saturday that she was among those killed in the flooding. In a statement, her family said, 'We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.' 'The Eastlands are the most wonderful family in the world and Dick was trying to save five little girls,' former Mystic camper and the grandmother of one of the children rescued, Peggy Newman, said. Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday that first responders have rescued more than 850 people in the last 36 hours. State and local officials have not released the names of those believed to be dead. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Sunday morning that 59 people have died, including 21 children. Eleven Camp Mystic campers and one camp counselor remain unaccounted for. 'The rescue has gone as good as can be expected. Now it's time for the recovery,' said Kerr County Judge Roy Kelly. Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd said Saturday that crews are still searching for possible survivors along the length of the Guadalupe River — in the water, on the ground and from the air. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, posted on X, 'So many lives lost. Others unaccounted for […] We are offering condolences, praying with the grieving, and giving thanks for the rescued.' This is a developing story and will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
8-year-old Austin girls, Linnie and Mary, among Texas flood victims from Camp Mystic
Two 8-year-old girls are the first from Austin to be publicly identified as victims of the raging flood waters that swept through Camp Mystic, their families and close friends confirm. Linnie McCown was a student at Casis Elementary in West Austin, her father, Michael, told the American-Statesman on Sunday. In an emotional social media post, he wrote: "She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain. We are going to miss her so very much but know she's up there shining bright." Mary Stevens, who attended Highland Park Elementary School in north-central Austin, also was among the victims, a family spokesman said. The spokesman shared a social media post written by her mother, Stacy, saying "you have left the most positive impact on everyone who knew you. I'm the luckiest that I got to be your mom and I will never stop loving you and trying to live life as you did. Fearless. Enthusiastic. Compassionate. And full of joy." "Our world is shattered but I have peace getting your letters and knowing you were having the time of your life at camp and had a dance party with all of your friends before the Lord decided to take you from us. He has bigger plans for you," Stacy Stevens wrote. More: Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland dies while trying to save girls from Texas floods Casis Elementary school is hosting a prayer vigil Sunday night for community families who have been affected by the Kerrville floods, according to a social media post from the school. Austin school district Superintendent Matias Segura said Saturday night he was 'heartbroken' that some district families had been impacted by the Kerr County flooding. 'We know that some of our families and staff may be facing loss or uncertainty and we are coordinating with our crisis and counseling team to provide support and any needed services to our families and staff in the days ahead,' Segura said. At least 59 people, 21 of whom are children, have died in the Kerr County flooding along the Guadalupe River. The floodwaters devastated an area home to numerous children's summer camps, including Camp Mystic, a private Christian camp for girls. Search crews have been looking for missing people since early Friday morning, when heavy rains filled river banks. Segura urged families to seek help from their principal so the district can provide assistance. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 8-year-old Camp Mystic girls from Austin among Texas flood victims
