Texas Flash Flood Claims Lives of 8-Year-Old Twin Sisters at Summer Camp

 

What began as a fun-filled July 4th weekend ended in heartbreak as flash floods swept through a beloved Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, leaving devastation in their wake.

Among the victims were 8-year-old twin sisters, Hanna and Rebecca, who tragically lost their lives when floodwaters tore through Camp Mystic, a long-standing retreat nestled along the Guadalupe River. Their 14-year-old sister, Harper, survived the tragedy.

The twins were the granddaughters of David Lawrence Jr., a respected journalist and former publisher of both the Miami Herald and Detroit Free Press. He released a public statement expressing the depth of the family’s grief.

“This has been an unthinkable loss for all of us,” Lawrence said. “Hanna and Rebecca brought immeasurable happiness to their parents, their sister Harper, and to everyone who loved them. That joy will never be forgotten.”

Their parents, John and Lacy Lawrence, both attorneys based in Dallas, also released a joint message via NBC News Texas.

“Our hearts are broken,” they wrote. “Hanna and Rebecca were vibrant, kind, and full of life. While our bond with them can never be replaced, we are determined to honor their joy and spirit in everything we do moving forward. We are thankful for the overwhelming love and support.”

The sisters had just finished the second grade at University Park Elementary School. In a message posted on the school’s website, administrators expressed their condolences: “We mourn the loss of several of our young students. Our hearts go out to all families impacted by this unimaginable event.”

The Camp and the Rising Waters

Camp Mystic, a cherished location for generations of campers, was struck by a sudden surge of water after heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to overflow with terrifying speed. Search and rescue teams continue working around the clock as recovery efforts unfold.

Officials have confirmed over 100 fatalities related to the flooding, including 27 associated with Camp Mystic — among them both campers and staff. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha reported that at least ten campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for.

Even Camp Mystic’s owner, Richard “Dick” Eastland, known for his decades of dedication to the camp, was among the lives lost.

In a statement, the camp shared: “We are mourning alongside the families experiencing this tremendous loss. Our prayers are with them all. We continue to work closely with state and local emergency services, who are dedicating every possible resource to finding our missing girls.”

A Family of Advocacy and Impact

David Lawrence Jr. is known not just for his journalistic achievements but also for his decades of work advocating for children. After retiring in 1999, he founded The Children’s Movement of Florida, championing early education and successfully leading a campaign to make free pre-K available to all 4-year-olds in the state.

His dedication to improving children’s lives now takes on a deeply personal meaning, as he mourns the loss of two young granddaughters taken far too soon.

In moments of collective grief, words often fall short. Yet as communities across Texas and beyond mourn, the light that Hanna and Rebecca brought into the world will not be forgotten. Their story is a painful reminder to cherish every day, to hold loved ones close, and to never take a single moment for granted.