Camp Mystic Lawsuit 6 February Updates 2026, 5th Lawsuit Filed—27 Killed, Still-Missing 8-Year-Old’s Parents Demand Closure Before Summer Reopening

A fifth lawsuit has been filed against Camp Mystic seven months after 27 campers and counselors died when the July 4 floodwaters swept through the camp. The parents of an 8-year-old Texas girl who vanished last summer when flash flooding inundated the Hill Country are suing the operators of Camp Mystic—8-year-old Cecilia “Cile” Steward, whose body remains missing.

The Austin couple are seeking in excess of $1 million in actual and punitive damages, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Travis County. This comes as Camp Mystic announced plans to reopen summer 2026—a decision families call unconscionable while loved ones remain lost.

What The Latest Camp Mystic Lawsuit Alleges

The parents, CiCi and Will Steward, have filed a lawsuit against the camp and its longtime owners, Richard “Dick” Eastland and his wife, Willetta “Tweety” Eastland, alleging the tragedy was preventable and that critical warnings went unheeded. Dick Eastland died during the flood, reportedly trying to save campers.

The lawsuit names as defendants the camp and affiliated companies, Edward Eastland and three other members of the Eastland family, and William Neely Bonner III, who is president of Natural Fountain Properties Inc., which owns the land Camp Mystic occupied.

The more than 100-page lawsuit goes into detail about the warnings that were sent from the Texas Department of Emergency Management regarding the storm. It also goes on to allege at 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., the Eastlands moved canoes to higher ground—prioritizing equipment over evacuating children.

The Horrifying Timeline From Court Documents

At 1:14 a.m. The NWS issued a Flash Flood Warning for Kerr County with a “considerable” threat tag. The legal team alleges Camp Mystic owner Dick Eastland received this alert.

Camp Mystic management acknowledges evacuations didn’t start until nearly two hours after the first flood warning from the National Weather Service at 1:14 a.m.. In a set of cabins with the youngest campers, girls weren’t evacuated in time to avoid the flood waters that surged just before 4 a.m.

According to the lawsuit, it was 3 a.m. before the Eastlands began evacuating three cabins, but the youngest campers were told to stay in place. The Stewards’ lawsuit said Edward Eastland returns around 3:30 a.m. and said the water was too high to leave “and will soon recede.”

Even as water started seeping into the cabins scattered along the riverbank, Edward Eastland insisted the campers stay put and climb to the top bunks, the lawsuit says. “Lord Jesus, please stop the rain,” he was heard saying, according to the lawsuit. “But the water keeps coming,” the lawsuit says. “The girls’ trunks are floating as the girls huddle on two top bunks by the windows, terrified and desperate.”

Around 4:09 a.m. Edward Eastland is swept away with two Twins I campers holding onto him.

How Many Lawsuits Has Camp Mystic Faced?

Will and Catherine Steward filed a lawsuit marking the fifth legal challenge against the summer camp since the July disaster killed 25 campers and two counselors. The families of seven Camp Mystic campers and two counselors who died during the July 4 flooding filed three separate lawsuits against the camp on Monday, alleging that camp officials’ failure to evacuate the camp caused their children’s deaths.

Twenty-seven children and camp counselors were among the 130 people who died after slow-moving thunderstorms in Kerr County caused the Guadalupe River to flood on July 4 and turned a national holiday into a Texas tragedy.

The Potential Financial Impact On Camp Mystic

“If in fact the plaintiffs were to prevail, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw judgments in the $2 or $3 million dollars per child situation,” Sanders said, “which my guess is totally exhausts the assets of this defendant.” That estimate runs up to $69 million.

The cases represent an existential threat to the century-old camp. Similar to the financial burden described in the Abigail Zwerner’s $40M Lawsuit EXPOSED – School Ignored 3 Warnings Before Teacher Shot By 6-Year-Old case, institutions face severe consequences when they ignore clear warnings about imminent danger.

Camp Mystic’s Defense Strategy

Mikal Watts, an attorney for Camp Mystic, released the following statement: “We empathize with the families of the campers and counselors and all families in the Hill Country who lost loved ones in the horrific and unprecedented flood of July 4. We are devastated by the deaths of our campers and counselors, and we continue to pray for God to comfort and support their families in their unfathomable grief.”

“I’ve got people that say we haven’t seen a flood this high for 5,000 years — and, oh, by the way, 5,000 years ago there was a guy named Noah building an ark,” Watts said. Watts has placed more weight on the lack of preparedness at the county level, including Kerr County officials’ refusal to pay for an outdoor siren system to warn of flooding.

However, the lawsuit alleges the Eastlands refuse to take accountability and said “The Eastlands dismiss the warnings embedded in Camp Mystic’s own history by insisting the July 4 flood was a 1,000-year event, that the last time a flood like this occurred, Noah had to build an ark. That is not true. But even if it were, both Noah and the Eastlands were warned a flood was coming. The difference is that Noah prepared. The Eastlands did not.”

Camp Mystic’s Controversial Reopening Plans

Camp Mystic has announced it will reopen this summer at its neighboring Cypress Lake property, a decision the Stewards say shows a disregard for the tragedy that claimed their daughter. The Stewards are also requesting a temporary restraining order to prevent the camp from reopening until investigations are complete, according to the lawsuit.

The decision to reopen while Cile’s body remains missing and lawsuits are pending has outraged many families. “The counselors were pleading for help from the Eastlands. Repeatedly told, ‘Stay where you are, tell the girls to go back to bed. The water will recede,'” Beckworth said — but the water kept rising.

Similar concerns about institutional accountability appear in the Hilaria Baldwin Lawsuit, Student’s 40-Stitch Injury In Overcrowded Yoga Class case, where facilities prioritized operations over safety improvements.

FAQs About The Camp Mystic Lawsuits

What is the Camp Mystic lawsuit about?

Five lawsuits allege Camp Mystic owners failed to evacuate 27 campers and counselors before the July 4, 2025 flood despite National Weather Service warnings. Families claim negligence, inadequate emergency planning, and prioritizing property over children’s lives.

Who is eligible to file a Camp Mystic lawsuit?

Families of the 25 campers and 2 counselors who died in the flood can file wrongful death lawsuits. Texas law generally allows two years from the date of death to file claims.

How many people died at Camp Mystic?

27 people died: 25 campers and 2 counselors. An additional 130+ people died throughout Central Texas during the same flooding event. One 8-year-old camper, Cile Steward, remains missing.

What are the specific allegations against Camp Mystic?

Lawsuits allege Camp Mystic failed to evacuate despite flood warnings, lacked emergency procedures, had no automated warning sirens, prioritized moving equipment over children, and instructed counselors to keep girls in flooding cabins.

Where were the lawsuits filed?

The lawsuits were filed in Travis County District Court in Texas. The litigation may consolidate depending on court decisions about managing multiple related cases.

How much are families seeking in damages?

Each lawsuit seeks in excess of $1 million in actual and punitive damages. Legal experts estimate total potential judgments could reach $69 million—likely exceeding Camp Mystic’s total assets.

Is there a settlement or claim deadline?

No settlements exist yet. These are active lawsuits in early litigation stages. Families affected by the tragedy should consult attorneys immediately, as Texas statutes of limitations generally allow two years from the date of death.

The Bottom Line

The fifth Camp Mystic lawsuit filed February 5, 2026, brings renewed attention to preventable tragedy. With Cile Steward still missing and the camp planning summer 2026 reopening, families demand accountability before more children return to camp facilities.

If your family lost a loved one at Camp Mystic, document all communications with the camp, preserve any materials related to enrollment and safety procedures, and consult with a Texas wrongful death attorney specializing in premises liability and negligence claims immediately.

Last Updated: February 6, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides legal information about ongoing Camp Mystic litigation and is not legal advice. Affected families should consult with qualified Texas wrongful death attorneys about their specific situations.

Lost a loved one due to institutional negligence? Document everything and seek legal counsel immediately.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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