July 16, 2025 | Texas — Authorities have confirmed that the 8-year-old daughter of a well-known college football coach is among the 27 young girls who lost their lives in the devastating flash flood that struck Camp Mystic in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The child, whose name is being withheld out of respect for the family's privacy, was found clutching a teddy bear — the very one her father had given her before she left for camp. Rescue teams discovered her lifeless body amidst debris and collapsed cabins as waters receded late Tuesday.
In a heartbreaking statement, the father — a coach who has spent more than a decade mentoring young athletes — shared his anguish:
“I've trained hundreds of boys to be strong, to push through pain and never give up. But no one has ever taught me how to live after loss.”
The sudden flooding came after days of torrential rain in central Texas, overwhelming local rivers and sending walls of water through the once-tranquil summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River. Authorities say the flood struck with little warning, tearing through cabins as campers slept.
Of the 54 campers and staff reported missing, 27 young girls were confirmed dead, all between the ages of 7 and 13. Several others remain hospitalized, and search efforts are ongoing.
Grief has poured in from across the country, with vigils held in towns where many of the girls came from. The college where the grieving father coaches has canceled all athletic activities this week, releasing a statement calling the event a “heart-shattering tragedy that has left a permanent scar on our community.”
Investigations are underway into whether camp protocols and local flood warnings were adequately followed. Camp Mystic, a long-established all-girls summer camp, had been operating for over 70 years without a major incident — until now.
As families begin the unthinkable task of saying goodbye, the father’s words echo through a nation in mourning:
“I gave her a bear to protect her. And she never let go of it. I just wish I could have done the same.”