Key facts
- Texas Rangers are investigating Camp Mystic for potential manslaughter and negligent homicide charges.
- The investigation stems from the deaths of 27 girls and two counselors during a flood on July 4, 2025.
- Investigators sought electronic communications from the camp's owners as evidence.
- Affidavits allege the camp had inadequate emergency plans and failed to conduct drills.
- Owners allegedly disregarded flood warnings and did not relocate children from low-lying cabins.
- Camp owner Richard Eastland also died in the flood.
Camp Mystic is facing a criminal investigation that could lead to manslaughter or negligent homicide charges in connection with the deaths of 27 girls and two counselors during devastating flooding in Texas on July 4, 2025. Texas Rangers executed search warrants last week to obtain electronic communications from the camp's owners, believing they could provide evidence of various crimes, including manslaughter and child abandonment.
According to an affidavit by Texas Ranger Brant Johnston, Camp Mystic allegedly had inadequate emergency plans, failed to conduct emergency drills, and lacked sufficient adult counselors in some cabins. Johnston stated that the owners neglected to take precautions by relocating children from low-lying cabins despite monitoring late-night flood warnings. He concluded that Camp Mystic, LLC was aware of and consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk of death to the campers.
The Christian all-girls camp, a long-standing summer institution, did not reopen this year and has filed for bankruptcy reorganization. The destructive flooding along the Guadalupe River killed at least 136 people in total. Attorneys for some victims' families welcomed the search warrants but expressed frustration that such action was necessary after a year of seeking accountability from the Eastland family. Some individuals, including members of the Eastland family and top camp officials, have refused interviews with investigators, although camp director Edward Eastland has previously testified and apologized.