Camp Mystic Families File Lawsuits Alleging Negligence in July Flood Deaths
Four lawsuits were filed today by the families of 13 campers and two counselors who died in the July floods at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, alleging negligence and wrongful death against the camp and its owners.
The lawsuits, filed Monday in Travis County, claim that camp management was aware of the potential for flooding but failed to adequately inform parents of the risks, asserting the deaths of the 15 young people were preventable. “There is no greater trust than when a parent entrusts the care of their child to another,” the petition on behalf of the family of 8-year-old Lulu Peck states. “Camp Mystic and the people who ran it betrayed that trust. Camp Mystic’s shocking betrayal of that trust caused the horrific, tragic and needless deaths of twenty-seven innocent young girls, including Eloise ‘Lulu’ Peck. This case seeks accountability for that betrayal and to send a message to other camps — protect the kids in your care.” The suits name Dick and Tweety Eastland, Camp Mystic, Mystic Camps Family Partnership, Mystic Camps Management, and Natural Fountains Properties as defendants, with additional family members included in some filings.
The legal actions detail a history of flooding at the camp, dating back decades, and allege that Camp Mystic actively sought to remove its properties from designated flood zones with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to avoid insurance requirements and facilitate expansion. The lawsuits claim these actions were motivated by profit at the expense of camper safety. Attorney Mikal Watts has offered pro bono representation to Camp Mystic, stating, “I believe deep in my heart that they had nothing to do with why those girls, and frankly their patriarch, died, and I’m ready to demonstrate that.” This legal battle comes after Governor Greg Abbott signed new camp safety bills into law in September, prompted by the tragedy.
The lawsuits seek damages exceeding $1 million under Texas’ Wrongful Death Act, citing mental anguish, physical pain, and financial losses. Plaintiffs are also requesting a jury trial to determine the final damage amount. Camp Mystic issued a statement expressing continued prayers for the grieving families and promising a thorough response to the accusations. The camp announced in September it would partially reopen in 2026, a decision met with opposition from some parents, including those still searching for their missing children. You can find more information about the Guadalupe River watershed and its history of flooding.
Officials stated they will thoroughly respond to the accusations in due course and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the devastating flood.
