Topline: Investigators are seeking camp leaders’ digital records as they examine possible crimes surrounding the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
Published: September 25, 2026 7:04 am ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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HUNT, TX — Texas Rangers have obtained 14 search warrants in a criminal investigation into Camp Mystic’s preparations and response to the July 4, 2025, flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
A Kerr County state district judge approved the warrants Sept. 18, according to The Texas Tribune. Investigator Brant C. Johnston alleged in affidavits that camp leadership committed offenses including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The allegations concern both children who died and campers who survived.
No charges had been filed as of the latest reporting from NBC 5. Its account of the affidavit says investigators believe Camp Mystic LLC knowingly disregarded a serious risk of death to children in its care. NBC 5 sought comment from an Eastland family attorney but had not received a response.
The suspected offenses also include injury to a child, abandoning or endangering a child, and deadly conduct, FOX 4 reported. The station obtained the affidavit concerning camp director Edward Eastland, who was on the grounds that night.
Investigators want his digital records from July 3 through Oct. 17, 2025, including messages, emails, photographs, location records, browsing history, app information and deleted content. They are trying to establish what leaders knew about the danger and how they responded. Seven of the 14 warrants concern Eastland family members, according to the Kerr County District Clerk’s Office. FOX 4 reported that the Rangers’ investigation began in March 2026.
The flood also killed camp Executive Director Dick Eastland. NBC 5 reported that the Guadalupe River climbed from 14 feet to nearly 30 feet in an hour during the disaster. The affidavit examines weather, earlier floods and leadership decisions before the water arrived.
A separate legislative investigation found that the camp lacked required written emergency plans and adequate evacuation measures. Investigators Casey Garrett and Michael Massengale also identified communication failures among authorities and insufficient evacuation guidance for counselors in a 115-page report, the Tribune reported.
The camp had planned to host more than 800 girls in less-damaged areas before withdrawing its license application in April. Families also sued the Texas Department of State Health Services over its licensing of the camp. Attorneys Paul Yetter and Richard Mithoff, representing some bereaved families, welcomed the warrants as a step toward obtaining answers and accountability.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Texas Rangers Obtain 14 Warrants in Camp Mystic Criminal Investigation
Investigators are seeking camp leaders’ digital records as they examine possible crimes surrounding the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 25, 2026 7:04 am ET
HUNT, TX — Texas Rangers have obtained 14 search warrants in a criminal investigation into Camp Mystic’s preparations and response to the July 4, 2025, flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
A Kerr County state district judge approved the warrants Sept. 18, according to The Texas Tribune. Investigator Brant C. Johnston alleged in affidavits that camp leadership committed offenses including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The allegations concern both children who died and campers who survived.
No charges had been filed as of the latest reporting from NBC 5. Its account of the affidavit says investigators believe Camp Mystic LLC knowingly disregarded a serious risk of death to children in its care. NBC 5 sought comment from an Eastland family attorney but had not received a response.
The suspected offenses also include injury to a child, abandoning or endangering a child, and deadly conduct, FOX 4 reported. The station obtained the affidavit concerning camp director Edward Eastland, who was on the grounds that night.
Investigators want his digital records from July 3 through Oct. 17, 2025, including messages, emails, photographs, location records, browsing history, app information and deleted content. They are trying to establish what leaders knew about the danger and how they responded. Seven of the 14 warrants concern Eastland family members, according to the Kerr County District Clerk’s Office. FOX 4 reported that the Rangers’ investigation began in March 2026.
The flood also killed camp Executive Director Dick Eastland. NBC 5 reported that the Guadalupe River climbed from 14 feet to nearly 30 feet in an hour during the disaster. The affidavit examines weather, earlier floods and leadership decisions before the water arrived.
A separate legislative investigation found that the camp lacked required written emergency plans and adequate evacuation measures. Investigators Casey Garrett and Michael Massengale also identified communication failures among authorities and insufficient evacuation guidance for counselors in a 115-page report, the Tribune reported.
The camp had planned to host more than 800 girls in less-damaged areas before withdrawing its license application in April. Families also sued the Texas Department of State Health Services over its licensing of the camp. Attorneys Paul Yetter and Richard Mithoff, representing some bereaved families, welcomed the warrants as a step toward obtaining answers and accountability.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Texas Rangers Obtain 14 Warrants in Camp Mystic Criminal Investigation
Investigators are seeking camp leaders’ digital records as they examine possible crimes surrounding the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 25, 2026 7:04 am ET
HUNT, TX — Texas Rangers have obtained 14 search warrants in a criminal investigation into Camp Mystic’s preparations and response to the July 4, 2025, flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
A Kerr County state district judge approved the warrants Sept. 18, according to The Texas Tribune. Investigator Brant C. Johnston alleged in affidavits that camp leadership committed offenses including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The allegations concern both children who died and campers who survived.
No charges had been filed as of the latest reporting from NBC 5. Its account of the affidavit says investigators believe Camp Mystic LLC knowingly disregarded a serious risk of death to children in its care. NBC 5 sought comment from an Eastland family attorney but had not received a response.
The suspected offenses also include injury to a child, abandoning or endangering a child, and deadly conduct, FOX 4 reported. The station obtained the affidavit concerning camp director Edward Eastland, who was on the grounds that night.
Investigators want his digital records from July 3 through Oct. 17, 2025, including messages, emails, photographs, location records, browsing history, app information and deleted content. They are trying to establish what leaders knew about the danger and how they responded. Seven of the 14 warrants concern Eastland family members, according to the Kerr County District Clerk’s Office. FOX 4 reported that the Rangers’ investigation began in March 2026.
The flood also killed camp Executive Director Dick Eastland. NBC 5 reported that the Guadalupe River climbed from 14 feet to nearly 30 feet in an hour during the disaster. The affidavit examines weather, earlier floods and leadership decisions before the water arrived.
A separate legislative investigation found that the camp lacked required written emergency plans and adequate evacuation measures. Investigators Casey Garrett and Michael Massengale also identified communication failures among authorities and insufficient evacuation guidance for counselors in a 115-page report, the Tribune reported.
The camp had planned to host more than 800 girls in less-damaged areas before withdrawing its license application in April. Families also sued the Texas Department of State Health Services over its licensing of the camp. Attorneys Paul Yetter and Richard Mithoff, representing some bereaved families, welcomed the warrants as a step toward obtaining answers and accountability.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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