Seven girls from North Texas were among the 27 people lost when floodwater overtook Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
The families of seven North Texas children say their daughters were among those who did not survive the flash flooding at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country.
Before dawn on July 4, heavy tropical rain over Central Texas filled the Guadalupe River, which rose 26 feet in about 45 minutes. In the darkness, the wall of fast-moving water then indiscriminately swept people, homes, vehicles and trees downstream.
One of the areas hit was Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp southwest of Hunt along the Guadalupe River, where 27 people were reported missing after the flood. Officials confirmed Tuesday they were still looking for five children and a counselor missing from the camp.
Messages from the families, sharing memories of their daughters, are below.
Camp Mystic flooding victims
Hannah and Rebecca Lawrence
The family of 8-year-old twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence confirms they were among the children killed in flooding at Camp Mystic. Their parents, Lacy and John Lawrence of Dallas, said the girls had just finished second grade at University Park Elementary School.
“Hanna and Rebecca brought so much joy to us, to their big sister Harper, and to so many others,” the family said in a statement. “We will find ways to keep that joy and to continue to spread it for them. But we are devastated that the bond we shared with them, and that they shared with each other, is now frozen in time.”
David Lawrence, the girls’ grandfather and former publisher of the Miami Herald, said, “It has been an unimaginable time for all of us.”
The twins’ 14-year-old sister, Harper, survived the flooding at Camp Mystic.
Hadley Hanna
The family of 8-year-old Hadley Hanna confirmed she was among those killed in flooding at Camp Mystic.
While asking for privacy to grieve, the family released a statement through a spokesperson on Monday, thanking people for the outpouring of support and empathy:
“Our families are experiencing unimaginable grief. We are reaching out with a heartfelt request for privacy and compassion. While we are deeply moved by the outpouring of support from neighbors, first responders, and volunteers, we ask that the media, the public, and even well-meaning individuals honor our need for space and quiet during this time. The constant spotlight and inquiries – however well-intended – add to our distress. We appreciate your empathy, your prayers, and understanding.”
Janie Hunt
The mother of Dallas victim Janie Hunt confirmed her daughter was also among the girls who died in the flooding at Camp Mystic.
“We are just devastated,” Janie’s mother told NBC 5.
Eloise Peck
The family of Eloise Peck of Dallas confirmed Saturday night that she had been found dead.
The family released a statement that said in part: “It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that Eloise Peck has been found and is now an angel.”
Lila Bonner
The family of Lila Bonner, of Dallas, confirmed her death to NBC 5 by phone. Bonner is from Dallas and attended Bradfield Elementary School in the Highland Park ISD.
The family shared the following statement: “The family of Lila James Bonner is 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.”
Dallas families gathered at Bradfield Elementary on Sunday to place ribbons throughout the neighborhood for both Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck.
The family is in the process of setting up her foundation, Lila’s Light, to help animals affected by natural disasters.
“Lila was a natural born leader who loved all creatures, big and small. Her confidence and determination left no doubt she would one day fulfill her dream of opening and operating an animal rescue,” Lila’s family said in a statement. “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.”
Donations to the foundation can be made at: Lila’s Light: Honoring Lila Bonner
The mother of Renee Smajstrla, who lives in Kerr County, told NBC 5 that her daughter was initially among those reported missing and that she was later confirmed to have died in the flooding. She said Renee shared a cabin with Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner, both of Dallas.
Wynne Naylor
The family of Wynne Naylor told NBC 5 on Friday that their daughter was among the more than two dozen girls missing from Camp Mystic. On Tuesday, her family shared the following statement with NBC 5 about their daughter:
It is with enormous sadness and heavy hearts that the Naylor family confirms the passing of their beloved daughter, Virginia Wynne Naylor, on July 4, 2025.
There are no words to express our gratitude to everyone who supported Wynne and our entire family through this time. Wynne has a great love of the outdoors, a love of God, and love for her community. To honor Wynne’s life and ensure her legacy continues, the family has set up “More Like Wynne.”
Donations to the fund can be made at: dallasfoundation.org/more-like-wynne
If you remove the grief, the stress, the tears of despair and the cries of horror from the days since this tragedy began, you will find how God intends for us to live. Replace grief with hope. Replace stress with servitude. Replace tears of despair with joyful recollection. Replace cries of horror with terms of endearment. This is how our girls danced through this world. This is how they will be remembered. This is how God intends we live.
The Naylor Family is grateful to be surrounded by their loving family and friends and asks that representatives of the media respect their privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your prayers and concern.
If the families decide to make funeral arrangements public or share any further information, we’ll include that information in this report.
How to help with Central Texas flood relief
Join NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 in our efforts to help those whose lives have been upended by recent storms and record flooding, as well as countless other crises. You can help by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your financial donation helps provide shelter, meals, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance during disasters like the one in Texas.
In response to questions about what people can do to help the area recover from the deadly flood, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a 501(c)(3) charity serving the Texas Hill Country, has established a relief fund to support vetted local response, relief and recovery efforts. Organizers said all donations go directly to organizations working on the front lines of the July 4 flooding emergency. All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your gift. To learn more or donate, visit the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country here.
