Fourth Wrongful Death Suit Claims Camp Mystic Ignored Flood Risks Along Guadalupe River

A fourth lawsuit alleging wrongful death has been initiated against Camp Mystic, claiming that the Texas summer camp did not safeguard children from recognized flood hazards along the Guadalupe River before a surge on July 4 that resulted in the tragic loss of 27 young girls and counselors.

This week, the family of 8-year-old Eloise “Lulu” Peck initiated a new lawsuit, claiming that camp organizers positioned cabins perilously near the river, ignoring decades of recorded flood incidents. In the legal document, her parents assert that the camp is recklessly risking the lives of the young girls.

Lulu was among the 27 individuals, including children and staff, who lost their lives when the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks on July 4, transforming overnight cabins into wreckage and sweeping many away downstream. The families of several victims have filed legal claims, citing negligence and unsafe conditions.

Attorney Randy Howry of Austin, representing the Peck family, stated that the lawsuit primarily aims to reveal information that the victims’ families feel the camp has kept hidden.

“This is the sole method for them to obtain responses to all their inquiries,” Howry informed KVUE. “Many individuals would never opt for a legal battle—it’s hard to fathom initiating a lawsuit following the loss of their daughter—yet that’s the situation they encounter.” What occurred during the drop-off at summer camp was certainly unexpected.

Howry stated that parents are still awaiting comprehensive clarification regarding the choices made before the tragedy, particularly regarding the placement of cabins near the river, which is known for its significant flash-flood hazards in the Hill Country.

A legal representative for Camp Mystic has responded to the lawsuits filed last week, expressing sympathy for the families while firmly rejecting the claims of negligence. The camp’s attorneys asserted that evidence will demonstrate that the water levels exceeded any previously documented flood in the region and highlighted the absence of an adequate warning system at the time.

Camp leaders have announced their intention to reopen only the unaffected section of the facility for the upcoming summer while continuing to evaluate long-term reconstruction requirements.

The July 4 flood stands out as one of the most tragic camp-related incidents in Texas history, and the increasing number of lawsuits indicates that protracted legal struggles are on the horizon as families pursue clarity regarding the events that transpired.