Full Breakdown
Camp Mystic Seeks Bankruptcy Auction of Flood-Damaged Property
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Core Event: Chapter 11 Plan Calls for Sale of Camp Land and Assets
Camp Mystic, a private Christian girls’ summer camp in Kerr County, Texas, filed a Chapter 11 plan proposing a court-supervised auction of roughly 749 acres of river-front property and “substantially all” of its assets. Any buyer must obtain a youth-camp license from the Texas Department of State Health Services and pass a pre-licensing inspection. The plan requires approval by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez.
Background & Context: 2025 Flood, Lawsuits, and Criminal Probe
On July 4, 2025, flooding along the Guadalupe River swept through Camp Mystic, killing 25 campers, two counselors, and owner/executive director Richard Eastland. The disaster triggered wrongful-death lawsuits and a Texas Rangers criminal investigation for alleged manslaughter and related offenses; no charges have been filed. The June 24 Chapter 11 filing placed the civil suits on hold.
Data & Statistics
- Land size: about 749 acres along the south fork of the Guadalupe River.
- Fatalities at the camp: 25 campers, 2 counselors, and the owner (28 total) per the TPR filing; NBC reports 27 campers and counselors.
- River deaths that night: at least 136 along a several-mile stretch.
- Bankruptcy court: Southern District of Texas, Houston division.
Official Statements & Responses
Proceeds from the auction would be placed in a trust and later distributed to creditors, with the majority expected to go to families pursuing wrongful-death judgments.
Criticism & Opposition
Abigail Willie, assistant professor of law at St. Mary’s University, called the request to prioritize a buyer who will keep the property operating as a camp “highly unusual,” noting that bankruptcy auctions typically favor the highest monetary bid.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact death toll. The TPR report lists 28 deaths (including the owner); NBC cites 27 campers and counselors, omitting the owner. No court documents have clarified the discrepancy.
What’s Next
Judge Lopez must approve the reorganization plan. If approved, the court will schedule an auction, after which the winning bidder must apply for a new youth-camp license. Victims’ families will still need state-court judgments to recover amounts beyond the camp’s insurance coverage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The standard for the winning bid price in a bankruptcy auction is generally understood to be who brings the most money to the table,” — Abigail Willie, assistant professor of law at St. Mary’s University.