In a heart-wrenching turn of events, families of seven girls and camp counselors who tragically lost their lives during the catastrophic flood at Camp Mystic on July 4, 2025, have taken legal action against the camp’s owners. The wrongful death and negligence lawsuit, filed on November 10 in Travis County District Court by attorney R. Paul Yetter of Yetter Coleman LLP, paints a damning picture of a camp that allegedly prioritized profits over the safety of its young campers.
The lawsuit names the families of Anna Margaret Bellows, Lila Bonner, Chloe Childress, Molly DeWitt, Katherine Ferruzzo, Lainey Landry, and Blakely McCrory, all of whom perished in the flood that swept through the camp. Spanning 725 acres along the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country—a region notorious for flash floods—the camp’s history is marred by warnings that were, tragically, ignored.
The 75-page petition articulates a series of grievous accusations against Camp Mystic. It claims that the camp’s owners consciously chose to house young girls in areas vulnerable to flooding, specifically to avoid the costs associated with relocating cabins. Such decisions, the lawsuit argues, reflect a gross negligence that ultimately cost lives. Furthermore, the camp’s failure to establish or adhere to an evacuation plan, despite state regulations mandating one, raises serious questions about its operational protocols.
The timeline of events leading up to the disaster is particularly alarming. At 1:14 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a “life-threatening flash flood” warning, yet camp leaders Richard and Edward Eastland allegedly prioritized moving equipment over ensuring the safety of campers. The lawsuit details a chilling sequence: counselors reported water entering cabins at 2:20 a.m., yet were instructed to remain inside. Five cabins were eventually evacuated to the Rec Hall, while six others were left behind—decisions that would have dire consequences.
As the floodwaters rose, the fateful decisions made by camp administrators became increasingly evident. Tragically, when Richard Eastland attempted to rescue girls from the Bubble Inn, his SUV was swept away, resulting in the drowning of all 13 campers and two counselors in that cabin. Simultaneously, 11 campers in the Twins Cabin lost their lives after being told that “the water would go back down.” Such directives not only illustrate a lack of situational awareness but also a profound disregard for the safety of those entrusted to their care.
The lawsuit argues that the girls could have reached higher ground within 60 seconds had they not been ordered to stay put. This assertion underscores the urgency and potential for survival that was squandered due to mismanagement and poor judgment. The families are now seeking over $1 million in damages for wrongful death, gross negligence, and emotional distress, while also requesting a jury trial to hold the camp accountable.
Adding insult to injury, the camp’s response post-tragedy has further inflamed the families’ anguish. Reports indicate that camp administrators misled families, suggesting their daughters were merely “unaccounted for” hours after the floodwaters receded. This disinformation campaign has been met with outrage, especially given that the camp announced its intention to reopen for the next summer season while one camper remained unaccounted for.
With this legal action, the families aim not only to seek justice for their lost loved ones but also to shine a spotlight on the systemic failures that led to this preventable tragedy. As discussions around camp safety and accountability continue, the Camp Mystic case serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of adherence to safety regulations and the ethical responsibilities of those in charge of safeguarding young lives.
