What was meant to be a summer full of cherished memories turned into an unfathomable tragedy.
During the July 4th weekend, a surge of floodwater tore through Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas — claiming the lives of dozens of children and counselors within minutes.
Among those lost 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 survived the disaster.
“This has been an unimaginable ordeal for all of us,” Lawrence said in a statement to the Herald. “Hanna and Rebecca brought so much joy to their parents John and Lacy, to Harper, and to our entire family. Their joy will never be forgotten.”
Lawrence’s son John and his wife Lacy — both attorneys based in Dallas — confirmed the tragic news in a heartfelt message shared with NBC News Texas.
“Hanna and Rebecca filled our lives, their sister Harper’s life, and the lives of many others with immense joy,” they expressed.
“We will find ways to preserve that joy and continue to share it in their memory. But we are heartbroken that the special bond we had with them, and the one they shared with each other, is now frozen in time. Thank you all for your love and support.”
The twins had just finished 2nd grade at University Park Elementary School, where they were known as bright, bubbly, and full of life.
“We are deeply saddened to report the loss of multiple students, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families profoundly affected by this tragic event,” the school stated on its website.
A camp forever changed
As the Guadalupe River surged with relentless power, it swept through Camp Mystic, leaving devastation in its wake. Search and rescue teams have been combing the area since.
The death toll from the flooding has now exceeded 100, with 27 victims linked to Camp Mystic — including both campers and staff — according to an official statement from the camp.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that ten campers and one counselor remain missing. Among the victims was Camp Mystic’s longtime owner, Richard “Dick” Eastland.
“Our hearts break alongside the families enduring this unimaginable loss,” the camp said. “We are praying constantly for them. We remain in close contact with local and state officials, who are deploying significant resources to locate our missing girls.”
A legacy of love and advocacy
David Lawrence Jr., who guided the Miami Herald to five Pulitzer Prizes during his leadership, retired in 1999 and went on to found The Children’s Movement of Florida, an organization dedicated to early childhood education.
He was instrumental in passing a statewide constitutional amendment guaranteeing free pre-kindergarten education to every 4-year-old in Florida.
His life’s mission focused on expanding opportunities for children — and now his own granddaughters are among the young lives tragically lost.
At times like this, words can only do so much. The loss of Hanna, Rebecca, and so many others has deeply touched hearts far beyond Texas.
As we keep their families in our thoughts, may we hold onto their joy, laughter, and light. Hold your children a little closer tonight — and never take a moment for granted.
