Hunt family member among flooding victims as North Texas rallies to remember young lives lost

DALLAS — The grief from the historic deluge of rain and its deadly torrents down the hillsides and canyons of the Texas Hill Country spreads nationwide. Among North Texas’ victims is a little girl from one of Dallas’ most notable families.

Family confirms that Janie Hunt is among the victims from Camp Mystic. According to her family, members of the Hunt family, which includes the Hunt Oil Company and ownership of the Kansas City Chiefs, the 9-year-old was attending the camp with several cousins. Tavia Hunt, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, wrote on social media:

“Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods….and the tragic loss of so many lives – including a precious Hunt cousin, along with several friend’s little girls.”

And in a lengthy post about her Christian faith wrote that “Even in heartbreak, God is weaving a story we cannot yet see.”

Other confirmed victims from North Texas include Brooke and Blaire Harber, students at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Dallas. According to family they were in a cabin with their grandparents, who are still missing. Only the girls’ parents survived.  

St. Rita’s wrote to WFAA saying that “Blair and Brooke were young women of deep faith.” And in a GoFundMe post, their family writes: “They had their rosaries with them. Their bodies were found yesterday afternoon, 15 miles away in Kerrville. When they were found, their hands were locked together.”

The Fort Worth Diocese and the family of Hadley Hanna tell WFAA that the 8-year-old is still among the missing from Camp Mystic.

Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, two best friends who just finished the second grade at John S. Bradfield Elementary in Highland Park, have been identified among the victims as well. On Sunday, parents and school staff tied ribbons around trees at the school. Green ribbons are now being tied across the state in memory of the dead and missing from Camp Mystic.

In a lengthy written statement from Highland Park ISD, the school district included that:

“Our hearts are heavy as we share the tragic news of the devastating floods that occurred in the Texas Hill Country. Numerous HPISD students were in the area and forced to evacuate during this natural disaster. We are deeply saddened to report the loss of multiple students, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families deeply affected by this unimaginable tragedy.”

Highland Park ISD plans to have counselors available on Tuesday, July 8, and Thursday, July 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Boone Elementary “to assist students and staff as they navigate this difficult time.”