At least 118 people have died in catastrophic flash flooding that swept through central Texas on July 4, with victims ranging from young campers at summer programs to a heroic father who sacrificed his life to save his family.
Father Who Died Saving Family
Among the casualties was Julian Ryan, 27, of Ingram, Texas, who died while ensuring his family’s survival during the rapidly rising waters. Ryan’s fiancée, Christina Wilson, described his final moments in an interview with KHOU, explaining how he severed an artery in his arm after breaking a window to help her, their children, and his mother reach the roof.
“He looked at me and the kids and my mother-in-law, and he was like, ‘Sorry, I’m not gonna make it. I love y’all,'” Wilson said.
Renee Smajstrla
Renee Smajstrla, an 8-year-old straight-A student from Ingram, Texas, who had played a role in her school’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” was one of the victims who died in the flash floods at Camp Mystic, her family said.
“Renee was a great classmate, friend and teammate,” the obituary said. “Being an athlete but a cheerleader at heart, Renee often found herself rooting for both teams.”
Her uncle posted a photo on Facebook of Renee smiling at camp the day before the July 4 floods.
Camp Mystic Devastated
The flooding proved particularly devastating for Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp in Hunt, where multiple fatalities occurred. Among the victims was Dick Eastland, the camp’s director, who was remembered as a father figure to countless campers over the years.
“He still put campers first in every situation,” Sumner wrote. “If an issue of any kind that needed attention came over the walkie-talkie, even a camper with a minor injury or the dreaded snake in the river, he would bolt out of the office and jump in a golf cart to get there as fast as he could.”
“If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for,” he wrote.
The flood claimed the lives of several young campers, including second-graders who had recently finished the school year.
“Her giggle was contagious, as was her spirit,” the school stated. The school characterized her as “a girls’ girl who loved pink sparkles and bows in her signature angelic ringlet curls.” The school requested that community members place pink ribbons in trees to honor Mary Grace after she went missing in the floods.
“Hanna and Rebecca brought so much joy to us, to their big sister Harper, and to so many others,” they said. “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.”
Twin sisters Hanna Lawrence (L) and Rebecca Lawrence, who were two the victims killed by the flooding at Camp Mystic in central Texas on July 4. John Lawrence via AP
David Lawrence, the girls’ grandfather and former Miami Herald publisher, described the loss as “an unimaginable time for all of us,” while emphasizing that “they and that joy can never be forgotten”.
Sarah Marsh, an 8-year-old from Alabama attending Camp Mystic, was another young victim. Her grandmother, Debbie Ford Marsh, shared her grief on Facebook, writing, “We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives. She will live on in our hearts forever! We love you so much, sweet Sarah!”
Additional Young Victims
Janie Hunt, a 9-year-old relative of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, was confirmed dead by her mother, Anne Hunt, to CNN and her grandmother, Margaret Hunt, to The Kansas City Star. Tavia Hunt, wife of Clark Hunt, posted on Instagram, urging people to rely on their faith during difficult times.
“If your heart is broken, I assure you God is near,” she wrote. “He is gentle with your wounds. And He is still worthy—even when your soul is struggling to believe it.”
Pastor Joshua J. Whitfield of St. Rita Catholic Community described the tragedy as one that “has touched every corner of our hearts,” according to a church statement. Blair was involved in multiple school activities, including volleyball, basketball, speech, and drama, while Brooke was a rising sixth-grader active in volleyball and lacrosse.
“We will honor Blair and Brooke’s lives, the light they shared, and the joy they brought to everyone who knew them,” Whitfield wrote in a letter to parishioners. “And we will surround Annie, RJ, and their extended family with the strength and support of our St. Rita community.”
Chloe Childress, a 19-year-old counselor at Camp Mystic, also died in the floods. Her family described her as someone who “lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith,” according to their statement.
Chloe Childress, 19, who was a counselor at Camp Mystic. Debbie Psifidis/Debra Alexander Photography via AP
Jonathan Eads, head of the Kinkaid School in Houston, where Childress had recently graduated, remembered her exceptional character in a letter to the school community.
“Chloe had a remarkable way of making people feel seen. She was wise beyond her years, with a steady compassion that settled a room,” he wrote. “Whether it was sharing her own challenges to ease someone’s burden or quietly cheering a teammate or classmate through a tough day, Chloe made space for others to feel safe, valued, and brave.”
Camp Turns to Tragedy
James and Cindy Rushing were camping along the Guadalupe River at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground when the flooding occurred. Their son, James Evan Rushing, shared his grief on social media, writing, “The amount of grief my family is feeling is immeasurable. My parents have been found, and they are unfortunately gone. My heart is broken into pieces.”
College Community Grieves
Joyce Catherine Badon, a 21-year-old architecture student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, died while staying with three friends at a river home in Hunt. The school described her as “a beloved daughter, friend, and classmate” who was “passionate about using her artistry and talent to impact the world, and had recently helped redesign donation centers for Goodwill,” according to an email to the college community.
Joyce Catherine was the last person heard from on a frantic phone call before the line went dead, according to her mother’s post.
Educators, Community Members Lost
Reece and Paula Zunker, both educators from Kerrville, Texas, were among the casualties. Tivy High School described Reece as “a passionate educator and a beloved soccer coach.”
Paula Zunker, a former teacher at the school, was remembered for her lasting impact. “The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later,” the school stated. The couple’s young children, Lyle and Holland, were still missing.
Tanya Burwick in San Angelo, Texas, in April 2025. Rhae Brunswick via AP
Her daughter, Lindsey Burwick, remembered her mother’s vibrant personality: “She lit up the room and had a laugh that made other people laugh.” The tragedy occurred on July 4 as the family was working at their generational fireworks stand in Blackwell, a community of about 250 people. As news of Tanya’s disappearance spread, community members rallied to support the family.
Camp Director’s Legacy
Jane Ragsdale, 68, who devoted her life to Heart O’the Hills Camp, also died in the flooding. The camp described her as “the heart of The Heart” and “our guiding light, our example, and our safe place,” according to a camp statement.
Ragsdale had been connected to the camp since the 1970s, first as a camper and counselor before becoming co-owner and eventually director in the 1980s. Heart O’the Hills Camp, which has operated since the 1950s, was between sessions when the flooding occurred, meaning no children were present.
“She had the rare gift of making every person feel seen, loved, and important,” the camp stated. “We are heartbroken. But above all, we are grateful. Grateful to have known her, to have learned from her, and to carry her light forward.”
In a 2015 oral history for the Kerr County Historical Commission, Ragsdale, whose first name was Cynthie but went by Jane, spoke about her love for camp life. She said, “I loved every minute of camp from the first time I stepped foot in one,” according to the commission’s records.
Ongoing Search Efforts
As of Wednesday, more than 160 people are still believed to be missing in Texas. Officials said five girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic have still not been found.
Paige Sumner, reflecting on the unprecedented nature of the disaster, noted that while Camp Mystic had plans for rain, “this level of flooding was unprecedented,” she wrote in her column.
During a phone interview, Sumner emphasized the ongoing uncertainty: “We are still holding out hope. They are broken; they are in shock.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
