Chloe Childress sadly died in the Texas floods. Credit: LinkedIn.
The family of 19-year-old Chloe Childress is remembering her as a bright light after she tragically died in the Texas floods on Friday, July 4.
Childress was one of 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp, who lost their lives in the flash floods that struck the Texas Hill Country.
The Texas floods have claimed at least 104 lives, with several still missing, according to the Associated Press and NBC News.
Chloe Childress had just graduated from The Kinkaid School in Houston.
She was preparing to start her first semester at the University of Texas this fall.
She returned to Camp Mystic—her beloved summer retreat—to mentor young girls as a counselor.
In a statement shared with FOX affiliate KRIV, her family remembered her as full of “contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith.”
“Chloe was looking forward to dedicating her summer days to loving and mentoring young girls at Camp Mystic,” they said.
“We were shocked by the horrific flooding and devastated to learn our precious Chloe was among the victims.”
They added:
“While we know her joy is now eternal and her faith has become sight, our hearts are shattered by this loss—
and by the heartbreak so many other families are feeling.”
The family asked for privacy as they grieve and thanked the public for “kind thoughts, quietly spoken prayers, and countless hearts of sympathy” helping them through these days.
Chloe’s former school community is also grieving her loss.
Jonathan Eades, head of The Kinkaid School, remembered her as compassionate and uplifting.
“Chloe always made space for others to feel safe, valued, and brave,” Eades told PEOPLE.
“She understood what it meant to be part of a community—and more than that, she helped build one.”
Camp Mystic confirmed the tragic loss of 27 campers and counselors in a statement on its website.
“Our hearts are broken alongside the families enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” the camp wrote.
“We are praying for them constantly.”
The camp also shared that 10 campers remain unaccounted for.
“We are in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying resources in the search for our missing girls.”
They thanked first responders, officials, and the broader community for their ongoing support.
