TRAGEDY AT CAMP MYSTIC: 19-Year-Old Counselor Katherine Ferruzzo Found Dead Days After Texas Floods
The peaceful rhythm of summer camp was shattered by tragedy this week as 19-year-old Katherine Ferruzzo, a beloved counselor at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, was found dead following days of intense flooding across the region. The shocking discovery has left her family, fellow counselors, and dozens of young campers in mourning, as investigators piece together how the rising waters—and a chain of unfortunate events—led to her untimely death.
This is the story of a young woman remembered for her radiant smile, her deep compassion, and her courage in the face of disaster.
A Promising Life, Cut Short
Katherine Ferruzzo had just completed her freshman year at Texas A&M University, where she was studying early childhood education. Described by her friends as “a light in every room,” Katherine was spending her summer doing what she loved—mentoring younger girls at Camp Mystic, a historic all-girls Christian summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River.
“She adored those campers,” said her mother, Teresa Ferruzzo. “Being at Mystic was like being home for her. She called it her happy place.”
But on July 12th, everything changed.
The Floods That Changed Everything
Days of unrelenting rainfall had caused the nearby Guadalupe River to swell to dangerous levels. On the evening of July 11, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Kerr County and surrounding areas, urging residents and businesses along the river to evacuate or seek higher ground.
Camp Mystic’s leadership quickly began implementing emergency protocols. Staff guided campers to elevated lodge areas. Katherine, known for her calm demeanor, stayed behind briefly to help other counselors gather equipment and ensure the youngest campers were safe.
“She was last seen around 10:30 p.m.,” said camp director Helen McGrath. “She volunteered to do one last sweep of the lower cabins near the riverfront. We never saw her again.”
The Search
When the waters receded the following morning, Katherine was missing.
Initial searches were slowed by dangerous conditions—downed trees, broken bridges, and unstable riverbanks made access difficult. Local authorities, search-and-rescue teams, and even volunteers combed through debris and scoured nearby woods for any sign of her.
For four excruciating days, there was nothing.
Then, on July 16 at 7:12 a.m., a team of volunteers spotted something partially submerged in a wooded ravine less than half a mile downstream from camp. It was Katherine.
The Discovery
According to Kerr County Sheriff’s Department, Katherine’s body was found entangled in fallen branches and debris, partially shielded by a large cedar tree that had collapsed during the flood. Based on early autopsy reports, officials believe she was swept away by a sudden surge of water and likely suffered blunt force trauma upon impact with rocks or trees in the current.
“There was no sign of foul play,” said Sheriff Dwayne Brooks. “This appears to be a tragic accident—brought on by an overwhelming natural disaster.”
Campers, Community in Mourning
Word of Katherine’s death spread quickly through the tight-knit Mystic community. Many of the young girls she mentored were still at camp when the announcement was made.
“We held a candlelight vigil that night by the chapel,” said fellow counselor Emily Marks. “We read her favorite verse, Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ There wasn’t a dry eye.”
Her cabin, decorated with handmade crafts, bunk-bed notes, and pictures of smiling girls, has since become a makeshift memorial. Campers have written letters to Katherine and tied them to white balloons, released into the sky as a final goodbye.
“She was more than a counselor,” said 11-year-old camper Ava R. “She was like a big sister. I just wanted to be like her.”
A Family’s Grief, and Grace
Katherine’s parents, Teresa and Michael Ferruzzo, flew to the camp from their home in Austin as soon as they received the news that she was missing. In the days that followed, they held onto hope—but prepared themselves for the worst.
Now, as they face the unimaginable, they’re leaning on their faith and community to get through.
“She died doing what she loved,” her father said at a press conference. “Helping others. Being brave. Putting others before herself. That was who she was.”
The Ferruzzos have established the Katherine Grace Foundation, aimed at supporting scholarships for underprivileged girls to attend summer camps—“so that every girl can experience the kind of love and support Katherine gave so freely.”
Questions About Safety and the Future
The tragedy has prompted deeper questions about emergency procedures and flood preparedness at summer camps located near rivers and lakes. While Camp Mystic followed weather alerts and had safety protocols in place, some are asking whether enough was done.
“How fast was the staff warned? Were there enough evacuation drills?” asked one parent anonymously. “We trust these camps with our children’s lives. It’s a conversation we need to have.”
Camp officials have stated they will fully cooperate with all investigations and are reviewing all protocols to ensure future safety. For now, they are focused on healing.
“We are devastated,” the camp said in a public statement. “Katherine was the heart of our counselor team. Her loss is felt in every cabin, every chapel, every corner of our community.”
A Legacy That Won’t Be Forgotten
In the coming days, memorial services will be held in both Austin and Hunt, Texas. Katherine’s funeral will include a choir of former campers, readings from scripture, and a slideshow celebrating her life—from her first day as a camper at age 8 to her final moments as a leader.
Social media has also been flooded with tributes, using the hashtag #ShineLikeKatherine, encouraging people to perform acts of kindness in her memory.
One former camper wrote:
“I was bullied and scared when I came to Mystic. Katherine saw me. She made me feel brave. She reminded me that I mattered. I will never forget her.”
Final Thoughts
Katherine Ferruzzo’s death is a devastating reminder of how fragile life can be—how quickly nature can turn, and how deeply one life can touch so many others. In just 19 years, Katherine lived with purpose, joy, and fierce love.
She died a hero in the eyes of those she cared for. And now, even in grief, her story is inspiring others to be a little more compassionate, a little more courageous, and a little more like Katherine.
“She may have been swept away,” her mother said, “but her light is still shining. And we will carry it with us always.”
