Clark Hunt’s Family Mourns Loss of a 9‑Year‑Old Girl in Texas Floods
The Kansas City Chiefs organization and the Hunt family are mourning an unthinkable loss after nine-year-old Janie Hunt, a young relative of team owner Clark Hunt, died in the devastating flash floods that swept through a Texas summer camp over the Fourth of July weekend.
The tragedy occurred at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp located on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas — a town already familiar to many in the Hunt family. The camp, a longstanding tradition for many Texas families, turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak as rising floodwaters engulfed the area during the early hours of Saturday morning.
A Sudden and Devastating Flood
According to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, torrential rainfall associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry dropped between 8 and 12 inches of rain within hours. The Guadalupe River — normally a source of calm recreation — rose with terrifying speed, surging over its banks and submerging structures at the camp. Water levels were reported to have risen more than 25 feet in less than 12 hours.
Camp Mystic, which was hosting over 150 campers and counselors at the time, quickly became overwhelmed. Emergency responders received frantic 911 calls from staff and families as waters tore through cabins and roads, washing away tents, supplies, and tragically, lives.
Officials have now confirmed that 27 individuals — including campers and counselors — lost their lives at the camp. Among them was Janie Hunt, a fourth-grade student from Dallas and a cousin of Clark Hunt, whose family legacy in Texas sports and business runs deep.
A Family in Mourning
The Hunt family issued a statement late Sunday evening asking for privacy as they grieve the loss of their “precious Janie,” a young girl described by relatives as “radiant, compassionate, full of laughter, and deeply loved.”
Tavia Hunt, the wife of Clark Hunt and a prominent voice in the Chiefs’ community outreach efforts, shared a heartfelt message via social media, reflecting the grief rippling through the family.
“Our hearts are shattered. We lost our sweet cousin in the floods at Camp Mystic. There are no words to express the pain of this moment. We are clinging to each other and to our faith as we try to make sense of this unimaginable tragedy.”
She continued, “Janie brought joy to every room she entered. She loved animals, she loved Jesus, and she adored her friends and family. Please keep our family and all the other grieving families in your prayers.”
A Broader Tragedy
The loss of Janie is part of a broader natural disaster that has impacted communities across Central Texas. As of Monday, the statewide death toll from the flooding has surpassed 90, with dozens more still missing or unaccounted for. Emergency responders have conducted hundreds of water rescues across multiple counties, with some areas remaining inaccessible due to washed-out roads and unstable terrain.
The National Weather Service has called this one of the worst flood events in the state’s recent history, rivaling the 2015 and 1998 Hill Country floods in terms of both speed and severity. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency for 14 counties, and federal disaster response teams have been deployed to aid in recovery and search efforts.
Camp Mystic’s Statement
Camp Mystic’s leadership issued an emotional public statement on Sunday afternoon, acknowledging the scale of the tragedy and praising the heroic actions of their staff and first responders.
“Our hearts are broken beyond words. We have lost members of our camp family, including beautiful children and courageous counselors. We are working with local authorities and grief counselors to support the families affected. We ask for your prayers and compassion as we begin to grieve and heal.”
The camp, founded in 1926, is deeply woven into Texas cultural and religious traditions. Many families have sent multiple generations of girls to Camp Mystic for faith-based summer experiences along the riverbanks. This year’s session was expected to be a return to normalcy after previous summers were disrupted by extreme heat and wildfire concerns.
National Support and Reflection
Kansas City Chiefs fans and NFL teams across the league have expressed support for the Hunt family. The Chiefs posted a black-and-white photo of Janie on their official social media channels with the message: “We stand with the Hunt family in this time of profound loss. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the Texas floods.”
In response to the growing tragedy, churches across Texas held vigils on Sunday night, honoring the victims with candlelight services and community prayer. Crisis counselors have been dispatched to assist grieving families and surviving campers who witnessed the traumatic event.
Faith, Grief, and Moving Forward
As the Hunt family and countless others begin the difficult journey of healing, many are turning to their faith to find meaning in a moment of unspeakable sorrow. In her tribute to Janie, Tavia Hunt quoted scripture: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
She added, “We don’t always understand why things happen. But we trust that God walks with us in our suffering. We know Janie is with Him now, surrounded by light, and we will see her again.”
Funeral services for Janie Hunt are expected to take place later this week in Dallas, where friends, family, and members of the Chiefs organization will gather to celebrate her life.
In memory of Janie Hunt and all the victims of the Texas floods.
Donations to support affected families can be made through the Texas Disaster Relief Fund and the Camp Mystic Recovery Fund.
