What should have been a summer filled with memories turned into a nightmare beyond belief.
During the July 4th weekend, a surge of floodwater swept through Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian summer camp located by the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas — claiming the lives of many children and counselors in just minutes.
Among those who lost their lives were 8-year-old twin sisters Hanna and Rebecca, granddaughters of David Lawrence Jr., the former publisher of the Miami Herald and Detroit Free Press. Their 14-year-old sister Harper managed to survive.
“It has been an unimaginable time for all of us,” Lawrence expressed in a statement to the Herald. “Hanna and Rebecca brought so much joy to their parents John and Lacy, their sister Harper, and everyone in our family. They and that joy will never be forgotten.”
Lawrence’s son, John, and his wife Lacy — both lawyers residing in Dallas — confirmed the heartbreaking news in a touching message shared with NBC News Texas.
“Hanna and Rebecca filled our lives with joy, as well as their big sister Harper’s, and so many others,” they wrote.
“We will find ways to keep that joy alive and continue to share it for them. But we are heartbroken that the bond we had with them, and the bond they had with each other, is now frozen in time. Thank you for all the love and support.”
The girls had just finished 2nd grade at University Park Elementary School and were described as bright, cheerful, and full of life.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of several students, and our thoughts and prayers are with all the families profoundly affected by this unimaginable tragedy,” the school stated on its website.
A camp that will never be the same
The Guadalupe River surged with an unstoppable force, completely overwhelming Camp Mystic and leaving no area untouched. Since then, search and rescue teams have been combing through the site.
The current number of fatalities from the floods has exceeded 100, with 27 of those connected to Camp Mystic — including both campers and staff — as stated in a release from the camp.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha has confirmed that ten campers and one counselor are still unaccounted for. Tragically, even the camp’s longtime owner, Richard “Dick” Eastland, was among those who lost their lives.
“Our hearts are shattered along with the families who are facing this unimaginable tragedy,” the camp expressed. “We are constantly praying for them. We have been in touch with local and state officials who are working tirelessly to deploy extensive resources in the search for our missing girls.”
A legacy built on love and advocacy.
David Lawrence Jr., who played a significant role in leading the Miami Herald to five Pulitzer Prizes during his time there, retired in 1999 and later established The Children’s Movement of Florida, an organization dedicated to early childhood education.
He was instrumental in passing a statewide constitutional amendment that ensured free pre-kindergarten education for every 4-year-old in Florida.
His life’s mission has focused on enhancing opportunities for children — now, his own granddaughters are among the young lives tragically cut short.
In times like these, words can only convey so much. The loss of Hanna, Rebecca, and so many others has broken hearts far beyond Texas.
As we keep their families in our thoughts, let us carry their joy, laughter, and light with us. Hold your children a little closer tonight — and never take a single moment for granted.
