Texas Floods Claim Lives of Camp Mystic Girls, Beloved Coach, and Walmart Worker

The catastrophic flash floods that ravaged Central Texas on July 4, 2025, have left an indelible mark on the communities along the Guadalupe River, claiming at least 82 lives and leaving dozens missing. Among the victims were young girls from Camp Mystic, a cherished Christian summer camp, a devoted couple who were pillars of their community, and a Walmart employee whose laughter lit up lives. The torrential rains, dumping nearly a foot of water in hours, turned serene riverbanks into scenes of chaos, sweeping away homes, hopes, and futures.

Reece and Paula Zunker, a beloved high school soccer coach and his wife, a former teacher, were among those lost in Kerr County. The Kerrville Independent School District mourned their deaths, noting Reece’s passion for his students and Paula’s lasting impact on the community. Their two children, Lyle and Holland, remain unaccounted for, leaving the Tivy community clinging to prayers for their safe return.

Blair and Brooke Harber, sisters aged 13 and 11 from Dallas, were staying with their grandparents in a riverside cabin in Hunt when the floodwaters struck. Their parents, R.J. and Annie, battled rising waters to reach them, only to find the cabin swept away. The sisters’ bodies were found 15 miles away in Kerrville, their hands locked together in a heartbreaking testament to their bond. St. Rita Catholic School, where they studied, grieves their loss as their grandparents, Charlene and Mike, remain missing.

Tanya Burwick, a 62-year-old Walmart employee from San Angelo, was driving to work when she made a frantic call about rising waters. Her SUV was found submerged, her body discovered nearby the next day. Her daughter Lindsey described her as a woman whose infectious laugh brought joy to all, leaving a void in her family and workplace.

Jane Ragsdale, 68, was the soul of Heart O’the Hills Camp, a summer haven for girls. A camper turned director, her legacy of love and leadership touched countless lives. Her death is a profound loss for the Texas Hill Country, where she was a beacon of compassion.

Dick Eastland, the director of Camp Mystic, died heroically trying to save his campers. A father figure to generations of girls, his sacrifice embodies the spirit of selflessness that defined his decades at the camp. As Rep. August Pfluger noted, Eastland poured his life into nurturing young women of character.

The tragedy at Camp Mystic is particularly devastating. Among the confirmed victims are Lila Bonner, Eloise Peck, Janie Hunt, Anna Margaret Bellows, Renee Smajstrla, Linnie Anne McCown, Sarah Marsh, and Mary Kathryn Jacobe, all young girls aged 8 to 9, whose vibrant lives were cut short. From Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Mountain Brook, Alabama, these girls were described as joyful, compassionate, and full of promise. Their families, shattered by grief, ask for privacy while holding onto memories of their daughters’ radiant spirits.

As rescue efforts continue, with helicopters, drones, and boats scouring the Guadalupe River, the region braces for more rain. The stories of these victims remind us of the fragility of life and the strength of community in the face of unimaginable loss. Central Texas will rebuild, but the scars of this flood will linger, etched in the hearts of those who loved these souls.