Camp Mystic Official Testifies About Delayed Death Reporting

Operator says she didn't realize state law required notifying regulators within 24 hours of camper deaths.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a twisted, damaged piece of camp equipment or debris, lit harshly by a direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative mood about the Camp Mystic flood tragedy.The aftermath of the deadly Camp Mystic flood exposes the camp's failure to report camper deaths to state regulators, raising accountability concerns.Austin Today

The medical officer for the Texas summer camp where 27 girls were killed in a flood last year testified that she still has not officially reported the deaths to the state health agency that regulates camps. Mary Liz Eastland, a member of the family that owns and operates Camp Mystic, said she did not think of the reporting requirement in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Why it matters

The failure to report the deaths as required by state law raises questions about the camp's transparency and accountability in the wake of the deadly flood. It also casts doubt on whether the camp should be allowed to reopen this summer as it has applied to do, given the ongoing investigations into the incident.

The details

Eastland testified that she could not recall exactly when she learned campers had died, saying it could have been a day or several days after the July 4 flood on the Guadalupe River. She acknowledged that she should have formally reported the deaths now with the camp's license pending. It was unclear if the failure to report would affect the camp's license application, which is currently under review by state regulators.

  • The deadly flood at Camp Mystic occurred on July 4 of last year.
  • The camp has applied to reopen this summer, with a license decision pending.

The players

Mary Liz Eastland

The medical officer for Camp Mystic and a member of the family that owns and operates the camp.

Richard Eastland

Mary Liz Eastland's father-in-law, who was also killed in the flood.

Cile Steward

An 8-year-old camper who is the only one still missing after the flood.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

The state agency that regulates camps and is reviewing Camp Mystic's application to reopen.

Texas Rangers

The investigative unit that has been invited to help with the investigation of the Camp Mystic flood.

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What they’re saying

“I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood.”

— Mary Liz Eastland, Medical Officer, Camp Mystic

“A genuine hero testified today. He told a gripping story of saving lives in an unprecedented tsunami. I am proud to represent Edward Eastland and his family.”

— Mikal Watts, Attorney for the Eastland Family

“Cile needed your help and you abandoned her, didn't you?”

— Christina Yarnell, Attorney for the Steward Family

“Yes.”

— Mary Liz Eastland, Medical Officer, Camp Mystic

What’s next

State regulators will visit the camp during the license review, and the Texas Rangers investigative unit has been invited to help with the investigation. Lawmakers are also conducting a separate investigation into the flood.

The takeaway

The failure to report the camper deaths as required by law raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability at Camp Mystic, potentially jeopardizing the camp's bid to reopen this summer amid ongoing investigations into the deadly flood.