The Camp Mystic flood remains an open wound for one Texas family, even as the tragedy approaches its one-year mark. Nearly 365 days after floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country, the parents of a young girl whose body was never recovered have come forward with a deeply moving statement, offering a glimpse into their enduring grief and gratitude.

A Devastating Anniversary

For Will and Cici Steward, the Fourth of July will never again be a day of simple celebration. It now marks the anniversary of unimaginable loss.

On Friday, the couple shared a statement roughly one year after the disaster that claimed 27 lives at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Among those killed during the July 4, 2025 flooding were campers and counselors, young people whose lives were cut tragically short. Their own daughter, eight-year-old Cile Steward, was among the victims.

What makes their pain especially profound is that Cile has still not been found. Nearly a full year later, her body remains unrecovered, leaving her family in a painful state of waiting that most people can scarcely imagine.

Words From a Grieving Family

In their statement, the Stewards spoke with raw honesty about the emotional weight of the approaching anniversary. They acknowledged that they still do not know how they will face that morning when it arrives.

Yet amid their sorrow, they expressed a powerful sense of gratitude. The family noted that they would not have to confront the day alone, because people continue searching the wreckage along the Guadalupe River, refusing to give up on bringing their daughter home. For the Stewards, that unwavering dedication is what makes facing the anniversary bearable at all.

Their message carried heartfelt thanks to everyone who has continued the search. They described the faithfulness of those still looking as the very reason they can meet the difficult day ahead, offering sincere appreciation to each person involved.

Gratitude for Leaders and Volunteers

The Stewards did not limit their thanks to the search crews alone. They also recognized several Texas officials and agencies who have supported recovery efforts throughout the past year.

Among those they acknowledged were:

• Governor Greg Abbott
• Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
• The Texas Department of Public Safety
• The Texas Division of Emergency Management

Beyond the officials, the family placed special emphasis on the volunteers and crew members who have devoted themselves to the mission of bringing their daughter home. Their gratitude reflected a recognition that countless people, many of them strangers, have poured time and energy into helping a grieving family find closure.

Legal Action Follows the Tragedy

While the Stewards continue to mourn, they have also pursued accountability through the legal system. In February 2026, their legal team filed a lawsuit in Travis County.

The suit targeted Camp Mystic along with several members of the Eastland family, who owned and operated the camp at the time of the deadly flooding. For a family grappling with such a devastating loss, the legal action represents an effort to seek answers and responsibility for what happened along the river that day.

Disputes Over the Camp’s Future

The legal proceedings soon led to significant developments concerning the camp itself. In April, a judge granted a temporary injunction that placed limits on what could take place at the Camp Mystic site, which sits along the Guadalupe River.

The camp did not accept the ruling quietly. It appealed the order, arguing that the decision was deeply flawed. This pushback highlighted the growing tension between the grieving families seeking justice and the operators of the camp facing serious allegations.

Financial Fallout

The consequences for Camp Mystic have extended into the financial realm as well. The camp has since filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a move that signals serious financial distress in the wake of the disaster and the legal challenges that followed.

According to paperwork filed through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Texas in Houston, the camp listed its debt at more than $10 million. This filing adds another layer to an already complicated aftermath, raising questions about the camp’s future and its ability to address the claims against it.

A Community That Refuses to Give Up

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Stewards’ statement is the picture it paints of a community that has not moved on. Nearly a year after the floods, people are still combing the wreckage of the Guadalupe River, determined to bring Cile home.

That persistence speaks to something deeply human. In the face of overwhelming loss, the willingness of volunteers and crews to keep searching offers a measure of comfort to a family that has endured the unthinkable. It transforms an isolating grief into a shared burden, carried by many hands.

Reflecting on Loss and Resilience

The story of the Camp Mystic flood is, at its heart, a story of profound loss. Twenty-seven lives were taken in a single day, and for the Steward family, the absence of their daughter continues to shape every passing moment.

Yet woven through their statement is also a thread of resilience and connection. Even as they brace for a painful anniversary, the Stewards draw strength from the kindness and commitment of those around them. Their gratitude, expressed even in the depths of sorrow, reveals a family holding onto hope and humanity in the darkest of circumstances.

Remembering Cile

As the first anniversary of the disaster arrives, the memory of eight-year-old Cile Steward endures. Her family’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the real human cost behind the headlines, and of the countless people still working to honor her.

For the Stewards, the search is more than a recovery effort. It is an act of love, faithfulness, and refusal to leave a child behind. And as they face the Fourth of July once more, they do so surrounded by a community that continues to stand with them, ensuring they do not grieve alone.

This article touches on a tragic loss of life. If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, reaching out to a trusted person or a mental health professional can provide meaningful support.