What should have been a summer of memories turned into an unimaginable nightmare.
Over the July 4th weekend, a wall of floodwater ripped through Camp Mystic, a cherished Christian summer camp along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas — stealing the lives of dozens of children and counselors in a matter of minutes.
Among the victims: 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.
“It has been an unimaginable time for all of us,” Lawrence shared in a statement to the Herald. “Hanna and Rebecca gave their parents John and Lacy and sister Harper, and all in our family, so much joy. They and that joy can never be forgotten.”
Lawrence’s son, John, and his wife Lacy — both attorneys living in Dallas —confirmed the news in a heartfelt message through NBC News Texas.
“Hanna and Rebecca brought so much joy to us, to their big sister Harper, and to so many others,” they wrote.
“We will find ways to keep that joy, and to continue to spread it for them. But we are devastated that the bond we shared with them, and that they shared with each other, is now frozen in time. Thank you for the love and support.”
The girls had just completed 2nd grade at University Park Elementary School and were described as bright, bubbly, and full of life.
“We are deeply saddened to report the loss of multiple students, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families deeply affected by this unimaginable tragedy,” the school said on its site.
A camp forever changed
As the Guadalupe River swelled with unstoppable force, it overwhelmed Camp Mystic, leaving nothing untouched. Search and rescue crews have been scouring the grounds ever since.
The current death toll from the floods has surpassed 100, with 27 victims connected to Camp Mystic — including both campers and staff — according to a statement released by the camp.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that ten campers and one counselor are still missing. Even Camp Mystic’s longtime owner, Richard “Dick” Eastland, was among those killed.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” the camp stated. “We are praying for them constantly. We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.”
A legacy of love and advocacy
David Lawrence Jr., who helped guide the Miami Herald to five Pulitzer Prizes during his tenure, retired in 1999 and later founded The Children’s Movement of Florida, an organization committed to early childhood education.
He played a key role in pushing through a statewide constitutional amendment that guaranteed free pre-kindergarten education for every 4-year-old in Florida.
His life’s work has centered around improving opportunities for children — now, his own granddaughters are among the very young lives cut short.
In moments like this, words can only do so much. The loss of Hanna, Rebecca, and so many others has shattered hearts far beyond Texas.
As we hold their families in our thoughts, may we carry their joy, their laughter, and their light with us. Hug your children a little tighter tonight — and never take a single moment for granted.
