Girl sitting on steps holding papers.
Share and Follow

THE family of an eight-year-old girl who died in the flash floods that hit a summer camp in Texas have made a touching tribute.

Renee Smajstrla is one of nine children who died after the Guadalupe River in Kerr County rose by 26ft in just 45 minutes on Friday.

Girl sitting on steps holding papers.

The family of right-year-old Renee Smajstrla shared this final photo of her while at Camp MysticCredit: Facebook
Photo of an 8-year-old girl who died in Texas floods.

Her family say she will now ‘forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic’Credit: Facebook
Police officer walking through floodwaters.

Search and Rescue teams continue working around the clock following flash flooding on the Guadalupe RiverCredit: EPA

As of Saturday morning at least 27 people have been confirmed dead and a desperate search continues for the dozens still missing.

Renee’s family confirmed the tragic news in a heartbreaking tribute on social media.

They shared the final photo taken of Renee which was of her smiling while at Camp Mystic an all-girls Christian summer camp on Thursday, hours before the devastating floods hit.

She can be seen smiling on a step dressed in pink – an image her family are finding comfort in.

“We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday,” her uncle Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook.

“She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic.”

Salta thanked friends and family for their prayers and their help trying to locate Renee.

“While not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly,” he wrote.

Hours earlier while Renee was still unaccounted for, her aunt Michelle spoke of “a long day of worry and prayer” as she asked the local community to help get her home “safe and sound”.

Another family member has since shared her uncle’s tribute, saying: “One of the biggest tragedies hit Kerrville last night.

Woman, 22, swept 20 MILES by Texas floods & left clinging to tree in rescue… but 25 children still missing from camp

“Our first responders did all they could (and still are), but we really had no warnings.. no one expected this.

“Renee you are a beautiful girl and you are in the best hands now with the man that created us. Rest in peace baby.”

Fellow camper Janie Hunt, 9, is also one of the children known to have died in the floods.

Her mother Anne confirmed her death to CNN saying she had been “praying” for her daughter’s safe return.

Over 25 girls are still missing from the camp as well as an unknown number of people from the local area.

Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said on Saturday that 27 girls are still reported missing from the camp that hosts around 750 children.

“We do not have an accurate count, and we don’t even want to begin to estimate at this time,” he said of missing local residents.

Officials confirmed that over 850 residents have been successfully evacuated.

“We will not stop until every single person is found,” the County Sheriff said as the painstaking search for survivors continues.

“I can’t tell you how long it’s going to take,” he added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Biden-Appointed Judge Accused of Bias in DOJ Investigation Ruling on Transgender Healthcare Providers

In a notable legal development this week, a district court judge…

CBS News Poised to Sign Prominent Celebrity to Succeed John Dickerson on Evening News Following His Departure Over Network’s Direction Change

In an intriguing development in the world of broadcast journalism, CBS News…

JD Vance Inspires with Powerful Message on Faith, Family, and Courage at TPUSA Ole Miss Gathering

On a chilly Wednesday evening, a significant gathering of University of…

Debunked: Unraveling the Truth Behind Charlie Kirk’s Hospitalization Rumors

Fresh evidence obtained by Candace Owens is calling into question official accounts…

Video: White House Spokesman’s Assertion of Biden’s Sharpness Challenged During House Inquiry

Ian Sams, a former spokesperson for the White House, recently found…

CBS News Eyes Game-Changer: Bari Weiss Considers Scott Jennings for Leadership Role

Scott Jennings, known for his incisive and fierce debate style on CNN,…

Trump Announces South Korea’s Plans to Construct Nuclear Power Submarine at Philadelphia Shipyards

In a significant move for U.S. manufacturing, President Trump has unveiled that…

Discover London’s Majestic Blend: A Royal Capital of Legacy and Modern Innovation

By Lindsey Granger To many Americans, London embodies both a sense of…