August 8, 2025 — The Texas Rangers, alongside Kerr County officials, have officially released the names of the 119 people who perished in the devastating July 4th flash floods along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas. Two individuals—Jeffrey Ramsey, 63, of Lewisville, and eight-year-old Cecilia Steward of Austin—remain missing, their bodies not yet recovered.

Scale of the Tragedy

The catastrophic flooding—triggered by historic rainfall that caused the Guadalupe River to surge over 26 feet in under an hour—claimed over 135 lives statewide, with at least 117 victims confirmed in Kerr County alone.

Among the dead were campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp located along the riverbank. The camp suffered the heart-wrenching loss of 27 lives, including the camp’s director, Dick Eastland, who died heroically trying to save the children.

A Community in Mourning

Mayor Joe Herring and Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly issued a joint statement, emphasizing that the list of names represents real people—“our family, friends and neighbors”—and stated that they are “forever engraved in our hearts.” They emphasized that while the official search had ended for most, “two families are still waiting to bring their loved ones home.”

Over $30 million in combined FEMA and Small Business Administration aid has been authorized to support affected residents and businesses.

Stories Behind the Names

Victims of the floods included:

• Children and teenagers: twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, 8-year-olds Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, counselor Chloe Childress, and more. Their families remember them for their laughter, affection, and warmth.

• Teachers and community leaders: UTSA students Ella Cahill and Reese Manchaca, educator Dr. Katheryn Eads, coaches Reece and Paula Zunker, and police officer Bailey Martin were among those lost.

• Everyday heroes: Simple acts of love and courage came at a tremendous cost. Julian Ryan lost his life trying to save his own family; others lost loved ones while helping across the community.

A Plea for Remembrance and Resilience

The Texas Rangers extended their solidarity beyond the list. In a touching tribute, they placed green ribbons on seats at Globe Life Field in memory of season ticket holder John Martin’s twin granddaughters, Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence. The team also launched a “Together for Texas” campaign, selling T-shirts to raise funds for ongoing recovery efforts.

As Kerrville and surrounding communities work to heal, residents are encouraged to remember each name, honor the courage displayed, and continue to support ongoing recovery and remembrance initiatives.

This expanding tragedy serves as a stark reminder that each life lost in the floods was deeply cherished by family and community—and their memory endures in our collective resilience and unity