Families Sue Camp Mystic Over Fatal Texas Flood, Claim Negligence and Profit Motive
The families of seven girls and counselors who died in the Camp Mystic flood on July 4th, 2025, have taken legal action. They filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit on November 10th, 2025, in the Travis County District Court. The lawsuit claims that Camp Mystic’s owners prioritized profits over the safety of their campers.
Lawsuit Details and Allegations
The lawsuit was filed by attorney R. Paul Yetter and names the families of the deceased, including:
- Anna Margaret Bellows
- Lila Bonner
- Chloe Childress
- Molly DeWitt
- Katherine Ferruzzo
- Lainey Landry
- Blakely McCrory
According to the 75-page petition, Camp Mystic neglected flood risks and violated state safety regulations designed to protect its campers. The petition states that the camp “put profit over safety” and housed campers in flood-prone areas to avoid the costs associated with relocating cabins.
Evacuation Failures
The lawsuit highlights several failures in the camp’s response to the flood:
- Camp Mystic lacked a viable evacuation plan, despite state regulations requiring one.
- Counselors attempted to evacuate low-lying cabins but were instructed to remain inside.
- A weather alert for “life-threatening flash flooding” was issued at 1:14 a.m.
Despite early warnings, camp leaders Richard and Edward Eastland focused on moving equipment instead of evacuating campers during the critical window of time.
Timelines and Casualties
The timeline on that tragic night indicates a complete failure to act:
- 1:14 a.m. – A “life-threatening flash flood” warning was issued.
- 1:45 a.m. – Camp leaders did not initiate evacuation.
- 2:20 a.m. – Water began entering cabins, but evacuation orders were not given.
- 3:35 a.m. – Camp leaders’ SUV was swept away while attempting a rescue, resulting in 15 deaths.
If properly evacuated, the lawsuit claims that the girls could have reached safety within minutes.
Claims of Misleading Information
The petition accuses Camp Mystic of providing misleading information to families after the flood. Camp administrators reportedly told families that the girls were “unaccounted for” long after the waters receded.
Notably, the camp announced plans to reopen for the following summer season, despite one camper, Cile Steward, still being missing. This decision has heightened the families’ outrage and concern.
Seeking Justice
The families are pursuing more than $1 million in damages, including wrongful death compensation. They have also requested a jury trial. The ongoing legal battle aims to bring accountability to Camp Mystic and ensure safer conditions for future campers.
