The Unsettling Truth: 5 Shocking Details About Who Is Still Missing From Camp Mystic After The July 2025 Flood

The Central Texas floods of July 2025 delivered a catastrophic blow to the beloved Camp Mystic, a century-old all-girls Christian summer camp nestled on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas. On the night of July 4, 2025, a flash flood event—described as one of the deadliest in Texas Hill Country history—swept through the camp, tragically claiming lives and leaving a community grappling with an unimaginable loss. Initial reports were chaotic, with up to 27 campers initially declared unaccounted for as rescue efforts began in the treacherous floodwaters. As of December 12, 2025, the search for one final missing camper continues, keeping the wounds of this tragedy fresh for the families seeking closure. The disaster has become a national conversation about flood preparedness, emergency response, and the profound bravery and sacrifice shown by individuals in the face of nature’s fury. The story of Camp Mystic is now inextricably linked to the names of those who were lost and the one young girl who remains unrecovered.

The Camp Mystic Victims and Director's Biography

The tragedy on the Guadalupe River resulted in significant loss of life, with the final count of flood victims in the wider Kerr County area surpassing 130 people. Within Camp Mystic, the focus quickly shifted to the campers and the camp’s longtime director, whose final act was one of immense heroism.

Richard “Dick” Eastland: A Life of Service and Sacrifice

Richard “Dick” Eastland, 74, was the co-owner and executive director of Camp Mystic. He and his wife, Tweety Eastland, had purchased the camp in 1974, dedicating over five decades to its operation.

• Full Name: Richard “Dick” Eastland
• Age: 74
• Role: Co-Owner and Executive Director of Camp Mystic
• Years of Service: Since 1974 (over 50 years)
• Cause of Death: Drowned while attempting to save campers from the flash flood.
• Legacy: Hailed as a hero by families and the community for his selfless actions during the disaster.

The Campers Initially Reported Missing

While many campers were quickly accounted for, the search for several young girls continued for weeks. The final, devastating search efforts concentrated on three unrecovered victims, including the last missing girl.

• Cile Steward: The 8-year-old from Austin, Texas, is the final Camp Mystic camper who remains unrecovered and is the primary focus of ongoing search efforts. Her parents have been vocal advocates for accountability and continued searching.
• Kellyanne Lytal: An 8-year-old camper from San Antonio who was among the youngest at the camp. Her name was prominent in the initial list of unrecovered victims.
• Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner, and Hadley Hanna: These girls, all from Dallas, were among the initial list of missing campers, highlighting the widespread impact of the tragedy across Texas families.

The Unrecovered Camper: The Tragic Story of Cile Steward

The search for 8-year-old Cile Steward has become the heartbreaking symbol of the Camp Mystic tragedy. Her family’s tireless efforts to keep her name and the need for closure in the public eye have brought national attention to the case. The Final Unrecovered Victim. Cile Steward is consistently referred to in the most recent news reports as the "final girl missing" from the camp. Despite extensive search operations involving first responders, specialized search teams, and cadaver dogs scouring the Guadalupe River and its banks in Kerr County, her body has not been recovered. A Family’s Plea for Accountability. Cile’s parents, the Stewards, have testified before the Texas Senate, urging lawmakers to consider new regulations for summer camps and flood-prone areas. They have also publicly criticized Camp Mystic’s administration, stating that the camp has "not once" publicly said Cile's name and urged them to pause their reopening plans to focus on the search. This ongoing tension underscores the deep emotional and legal ramifications of the disaster.

5 Shocking Details That Emerged After the Flood

The devastating flash flood not only claimed lives but also brought to light several harrowing details about the event, the heroic actions taken, and the subsequent controversies surrounding the camp’s response. These details highlight the sheer scale of the disaster and the critical decisions made in the early hours of the morning.

1. The Director Died Trying to Save Campers

Richard "Dick" Eastland, the camp's director, was confirmed to have died in the floodwaters after he rushed to evacuate campers. His actions were described as a final, courageous attempt to save the children under his care as the Guadalupe River rapidly overwhelmed the camp. His selfless sacrifice is a central, tragic detail of the story, with his death occurring while he was actively engaged in rescue efforts.

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2. Counselors Wrote Girls’ Names on Their Bodies

In one of the most harrowing details to emerge, it was reported that some Camp Mystic counselors, fearing the worst as the floodwaters rose, wrote the names of the young girls on their bodies. This desperate measure was taken to ensure the children could be identified if they were separated or found deceased, illustrating the terrifying speed and force of the flash flood.

3. Initial Reports of Missing Campers Were Extremely High

In the immediate aftermath, as chaos reigned and communication systems were down, authorities reported that as many as 27 girls from Camp Mystic were unaccounted for. This alarming number fueled frantic search efforts across the Texas Hill Country and highlighted the initial confusion and the massive scale of the rescue operation required. The number was later revised as campers were found safe in various locations.

4. The Camp May Not Have Received an Urgent Alert

Reports suggested that Camp Mystic’s leadership, including Dick Eastland, may not have received or acted upon an urgent flood alert before the water levels became critical. While Eastland began taking action after significant rainfall was noted, the question of whether an official, timely warning could have prevented some of the deaths became a point of inquiry in the disaster’s aftermath.

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5. Camp Mystic Announced Reopening Amid Ongoing Search

Perhaps the most controversial detail was Camp Mystic’s decision to announce a reopening date just a few months after the flood, while Cile Steward remained unrecovered. This decision drew sharp criticism from the Steward family and others who had lost loved ones, arguing that the focus should remain on the ongoing search and accountability before resuming operations. The family's public letter urged the camp to postpone its plans, emphasizing the need for grieving and closure.

The Long-Term Impact on the Community and Camp Safety

The Camp Mystic disaster has resonated far beyond Kerr County, sparking important conversations about safety protocols in flood-prone areas. The tragic events of July 2025 have led to legislative discussions, including the Texas Senate hearing where the Steward family testified. The focus now is on what lessons can be learned to prevent future tragedies. Entities like the Guadalupe River and the Texas Hill Country are known for their flash flood potential, and the event serves as a grim reminder of the need for robust, modern alert systems and evacuation plans. The memory of the victims, the heroism of Dick Eastland, and the unyielding search for Cile Steward will continue to drive these critical safety improvements for summer camps across the state and the nation. The community hopes that one day, the search for Cile will yield the closure her family desperately seeks.