Camp Mystic Faces Criminal Investigation After 28 Died in Texas Flood Horror, Including 25 Child Campers

Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls, is facing a criminal investigation in connection with the 28 deaths during the catastrophic Guadalupe River flash floods on 4 July 2025.

Among the victims were 25 child campers, two teenage counsellors and camp owner and executive director Dick Eastland. Texas Rangers are investigating whether members of the camp's leadership committed manslaughter and other alleged offences.

Fourteen search warrants were obtained to investigate electronic data belonging to members of the Eastland family and other camp staff.

The documents state that investigators believe there is probable cause to investigate potential offences including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, injury to a child, abandoning or endangering a child and deadly conduct.

No criminal charges have been brought at this stage. The investigation centres on the camp's actions and decisions before and during the devastating flooding.

Guadalupe River Floods Children's Camp

Camp Mystic is located along the Guadalupe River. In the early hours of 4 July, the Guadalupe River rose extremely rapidly due to torrential rain. A subsequent NOAA analysis found that a quasi-stationary supercell produced localised rainfall totals exceeding 250mm over roughly three hours in the Guadalupe River basin headwaters.

The flooding inundated the camp, including low-lying cabins where many of the children were staying. According to an affidavit written by Texas Ranger investigator Brant Johnston, investigators are examining whether camp leaders failed to take adequate precautions after monitoring flood warnings.

Johnston stated in the affidavit, 'These offenses were committed against child campers—including both deceased victims and surviving campers of the flood event.' Investigators are also seeking electronic communications and other data belonging to members of the Eastland family and camp employees.

The affidavit alleges that Camp Mystic was aware of a 'substantial and unjustifiable risk of death' to campers in its care and consciously disregarded that risk.

Questions Over Emergency Planning

The criminal investigation comes months after a separate state inquiry into Camp Mystic's emergency preparedness.

A 115-page report released by Texas investigators in June found that the camp did not have a written emergency plan meeting state requirements and lacked adequate evacuation measures. Investigators also identified shortcomings involving flood preparation, communication and instructions given to counsellors.

Johnston wrote: 'Young campers cannot reasonably be expected to independently recognise a rapidly developing, life-threatening hazard or to organise and execute an evacuation absent direction from an adequate number of adult supervisors.'

The affidavit also alleges that camp leaders failed to relocate children from low-lying cabins despite monitoring flood warnings. Investigators also raised concerns about emergency drills, staff numbers and the camp's preparations for severe weather.

Families of Victims File Civil Lawsuits

More than a dozen families are also suing Camp Mystic and its leaders, alleging negligent behaviour before and during the flood. The families allege that negligence by camp officials contributed to the deaths.

Camp Mystic withdrew its application for a licence to operate in April and decided not to reopen for the 2026 summer season. It also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June, nearly a year after the flood.