Two families in North Texas are mourning an unimaginable loss: their daughters—9-year-old Lila Bonner and 8-year-old Eloise Peck—were swept away in the devastating flash floods that struck Central Texas on July 4, 2025.
The girls were attending Camp Mystic in Kerr County, nestled along the Guadalupe River, when torrential rains turned peaceful waters into a deadly torrent. As the floodwaters surged through the campground, they tore apart cabins and left destruction in their path. Lila and Eloise, inseparable friends and cabinmates, were caught in the chaos.
For two agonizing days, families and rescuers held onto hope. But on July 6, their worst fears were confirmed—neither girl had survived. Lila’s family shared the heartbreaking news first. Soon after, a simple yet powerful sign appeared outside the Peck home, confirming Eloise’s passing.
“She was friends with everyone,” Eloise’s mother said. “She loved animals, spaghetti, and being with her family.” Her light, like Lila’s, touched everyone she met. Reporter Kaitlyn Ross summed it up in one sentence: “She passed away alongside her best friend and cabinmate.”
Their story is part of a broader tragedy still unfolding. Several campers remain missing, and at least 50 lives have been claimed by the catastrophic flooding across the Texas Hill Country. OKCM Search and Rescue teams continue combing through debris-strewn areas, clinging to hope.
But amid the heartbreak, the story of Lila and Eloise has struck a deep chord. Photos of the two girls grinning side by side at camp—braids, bracelets, and boundless joy—have flooded social media. In one snapshot, they’re holding hands in the river. In another, they’re caught mid-laugh during a camp skit.
They were young, vibrant, full of life—and they were together. Always.
Their friendship, so pure and strong, now serves as a symbol of love in the face of loss. One tribute outside Camp Mystic read:
“Best friends forever, in this world and the next. You will never be forgotten.”