HUNT, TEXAS — With hearts weighed down by unspeakable sorrow, we share the heartbreaking confirmation that Eloise Peck, just 8 years old, tragically lost her life in the devastating flash flood that struck Camp Mystic on July 4, 2025. Her passing, now confirmed by her loving family, comes as part of one of the most emotionally shattering events to ever touch the Camp Mystic and broader Texas Hill Country communities.
Eloise was among several young campers caught in the swift and overwhelming floodwaters that surged through the beloved girls’ camp, a place known for its tradition, sisterhood, and summer joy. In a cruel twist of fate, she passed away alongside her best friend and cabinmate, Lila Bonner, as they tried to weather the sudden and violent surge of water together.
In a heartfelt message, Eloise’s mother shared words that reveal just how special this young girl was:
“Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti—but not more than she loved dogs and animals. She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend, Lila Bonner, who also died. Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.”
Those who knew Eloise remember a child full of light, laughter, and boundless empathy. Whether she was making a new friend on the playground, giggling at a bug in the grass, or pouring love into her pets, Eloise had a way of making every day a little brighter for those around her. She loved animals with a pure, unwavering passion, and her connection to the natural world was as strong as her kindness toward people.
Her infectious smile, her enthusiasm for camp life, and her deep loyalty to her friends made her unforgettable—even to those who only knew her for a short time. The image of Eloise and Lila together, thriving at summer camp, is now a treasured memory—a symbol of innocence, friendship, and the joy they brought to each other’s lives.
The loss of Eloise and Lila has left the Camp Mystic community in mourning. The camp, which has stood for generations as a place of empowerment, faith, and lifelong friendship, is now facing the unthinkable: the deaths of children in a place meant to be safe, joyful, and full of discovery.
As search efforts have concluded and families begin the long journey of grief and healing, the community is asking for continued prayers, compassion, and privacy. During the search for Eloise, her family’s contact information was widely shared online. In the wake of this unimaginable loss, they ask—please do not use that information to reach out. Instead, honor their grief by respecting their space and surrounding them with silence, reverence, and support from afar.
A formal memorial and celebration of life for Eloise will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, those who loved her are encouraged to light a candle, share a memory, or simply whisper her name with love—Eloise, a little girl who loved animals, spaghetti, her friends, and her Mommy with all her heart.
As we collectively mourn this profound loss, may we carry forward Eloise’s legacy by being a little kinder, loving a little deeper, and appreciating every moment a little more.
Rest in peace, sweet Eloise Peck. You were—and will always be—so deeply loved.