by Kerr County, Texas – Six months after catastrophic flash flooding tore through a beloved summer camp along the Guadalupe River, one family remains trapped in uncertainty and grief. The remains of 8-year-old Cecilia “Cile” Steward, one of the children killed during the deadly Camp Mystic flooding last July, have still not been found, leaving her parents without the closure they desperately seek.
Cile was among 25 campers and two counselors who lost their lives when floodwaters overwhelmed the all-girls Christian sleepaway camp during the July 4 disaster. Despite months of searching and an ongoing investigation, the Steward family says hope is fading.
“I have this sinking feeling of there’s no way they’re ever gonna find her,” Cile’s father, Will Steward, said in a recent interview.
A Disaster That Reshaped a Community
The flooding that struck Kerr County last summer ranks among the deadliest in the state’s recent history. According to reports, 135 people were killed across the region when severe flash floods surged through low-lying areas near the Guadalupe River.
As of December, officials confirmed that two victims’ remains have not been recovered: Cile and a 63-year-old man. For families like the Stewards, the passage of time has only deepened the pain.
“Every day that goes by feels like a door quietly closing,” a family friend said.
Parents File Lawsuit Over Safety Failures
Last week, Cile’s parents filed a lawsuit against the family that has operated Camp Mystic for decades. The suit alleges gross negligence, claiming the camp was unprepared for flooding despite being located on a flood plain with a known history of high water.
The complaint states that the camp had a weak emergency evacuation plan and ignored flood alerts issued by the National Weather Service on the day of the disaster.
“They were completely unprepared,” said the family’s attorney, Brad Beckworth.
According to the lawsuit, camp leadership waited more than an hour to evacuate, by which time floodwaters had already surged through the property.
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“Absolute Chaos” as Floodwaters Hit
Accounts from counselors paint a harrowing picture of confusion and fear as the water rose rapidly.
“It’s just absolute chaos,” Beckworth said. “Counselors could hear the screams. Nobody knew where to go or what to do.”
The Stewards argue that earlier action could have saved lives. The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in actual and punitive damages, citing both the loss of their daughter and the emotional toll of never being able to recover her remains.
Camp Leadership Responds
The Eastland family, longtime operators of the camp, have denied wrongdoing. Their attorney, Mikal Watts, said the flood was unprecedented and unforeseeable, far exceeding anything the area had experienced before.
“This sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes,” Watts said, adding that no adequate early warning systems existed locally.
The family has also noted that Richard “Dick” Eastland, the camp’s patriarch, died in the flood while attempting to rescue campers, calling his actions heroic.
Praise for First Responders and Counselors
Despite their anger toward camp leadership, the Stewards have consistently emphasized that counselors and first responders saved hundreds of lives that day.
“There are heroes at Camp Mystic,” Cile’s mother, CiCi Steward, said. “And none of them are named Eastland.”
More than 750 campers were on site when the flooding began. Many were rescued through quick thinking and selfless actions by staff and emergency crews.
Controversy Over Camp’s Planned Reopening
In December, Camp Mystic announced plans to reopen for the Summer 2026 season, operating from a nearby property at Cypress Lake, less than a mile from the devastated Guadalupe River site.
The announcement sparked outrage from the Stewards, who say reopening while their daughter remains missing is deeply troubling.
“It is an active crime scene,” CiCi Steward said. “I don’t know anyone in their right mind who would send their child to an active crime scene.”
Camp owners acknowledged the emotional weight of returning, writing to families that reopening would be “a courageous step in the healing journey.” A spokesperson later said there was strong interest in enrollment, though exact numbers were not disclosed.
A Family Still Waiting
For the Stewards, the issue is not camps or childhood traditions, but accountability.
“We’re not opposed to children going to camp,” Will Steward said. “We’re opposed to the audacity of reopening while our child, one of their campers, is still missing.”
As investigations continue and legal proceedings move forward, one reality remains unchanged: a family is still waiting to bring their daughter home.
What are your thoughts on reopening the camp while victims remain unaccounted for? Share your perspective in the comments below.
