Testimony in the Camp Mystic evidential hearing concluded Wednesday (April 16) in an Austin courtroom. The lawsuit was brought by the family of eight-year-old Cile Steward, who died in the July 4, 2025, flood and whose body has not been recovered. Her family is fighting attempts to reopen the camp until her remains are found.
Edward Eastland, a director of the rural Christian summer camp, broke down in tears in the courtroom when asked about Cile. His father, camp patriarch Dick Eastland, died in the flood, as did two teenage counselors and twenty-five young campers. Only Cile’s remains are still missing.
RELATED: See more stories on Camp Mystic.
Personal reflection
Dick and his wife traveled with me to Israel twice; he was one of the most gracious, loving people I have known. I know his family is still grieving his death and that of so many in this horrific tragedy.
Nine Camp Mystic families are also suing Texas officials after the deaths of their children.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was originally published by Denison Forum.
