Grandma’s gift helps identify 9-year-old camper's body after Texas floods: 'A really special little girl'

Grandma’s gift helps identify 9-year-old camper's body after Texas floods: 'A really special little girl'
A necklace with beads spelling 'Janie', gifted by her grandmother, helped identify Jane 'Janie' Hunt, who died in the devastating Texas floods (CNN Weather and Getty Images)

KERRVILLE, TEXAS: In the heart of Texas Hill Country, as families sift through the wreckage left by catastrophic flash floods, one grandmother clings to a small beaded necklace, the final link to her nine-year-old granddaughter, Jane “Janie” Hunt.

Janie had only been at Camp Mystic for five days when the Guadalupe River swelled on July 4, sweeping away cabins, counselors, and children.

Amid the chaos and grief, it was the necklace, a string of colorful beads spelling out “Janie”, that helped identify her body. The gift, given by her grandmother after a school play in May, became the tiny, tender detail that brought heartbreaking confirmation to her family.

Now, as they prepare to lay her to rest, Jane’s family remembers her not just as a bright, talented little girl with a love for art and choir, but as a source of comfort to others, even in her final days.

A necklace with beads spelling 'Janie,' gifted by her grandmother, helped identify the nine-year-old’s body (Facebook/Libby Hunt)
A necklace with beads spelling 'Janie,' gifted by her grandmother, helped identify the nine-year-old’s body (Facebook/Libby Hunt)

Beaded necklace gifted by grandmother helps identify Jane 'Janie' Hunt after flood tragedy

Jane "Janie" Hunt, described by her family as “brilliant” and “precocious,” had only just arrived at Camp Mystic, her first year at the Christian girls’ camp, when the deadly flash floods hit.

Janie was wearing a necklace that had been given to her after a school play in May. The beaded necklace spelled “Janie,” and ultimately helped authorities confirm her identity, her grandmother, Margaret Hunt, told People.

(Screengrab/CNN Weather)
Jane 'Janie' Hunt's body was identified by a beaded necklace spelling her name — a cherished gift from her grandmother after a school play (Screengrab/CNN Weather)

“She was in a play in May, and that's when I gave her the little Janie necklace that she had on when they found the body. That’s how they knew it was Janie,” Margaret said. 

Janie's body was found beside Camp Mystic’s owner and director, Dick Eastland, who died attempting to rescue campers.

Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, served as director of Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, since he purchased it in 1974. (@travisakers / X)
Richard 'Dick' Eastland, 70, served as director of Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, since he purchased it in 1974 (@travisakers / X)

Jane 'Janie' Hunt remembered as a joyful, artistic soul who brought comfort to others in her final days

Though it was her first time at the camp, Jane "Janie" Hunt quickly became a calming presence for others, according to her family. Margaret shared that Janie had comforted homesick campers in her short time at the camp.

“We’re now hearing stories about how some of the other campers were homesick, and that Janie was counseling them and telling them not to cry,” she said. “She loved camp for the five days she was there.”

(Facebook / Eidorb Aynat)
Despite it being her first time at Camp Mystic, Jane 'Janie' Hunt comforted homesick campers, becoming a source of calm in her final days (Facebook/Eidorb Aynat)

In letters written home shortly before her death, Janie expressed nothing but joy and excitement, writing, “I love camp, I love my friends. I’m having a wonderful time.”

Janie had a strong passion for the arts. Her family recalled that she was chosen to present her heart-themed drawing at a school art show and loved singing in her elementary school choir.

Her favorite song, 'Go Tell It on the Mountain', will be sung by her cousins at her funeral, scheduled for July 15.

Her obituary described her as “the heartbeat of her family,” a child who was “adventurous, kind, and charitable.” She is survived by her parents, Davin and Anne Lindsey Hunt; her brother, Henry, seven, and her sister, Julia, 2.

“It’s hard on them, of course,” Margaret said. “I tell people when they ask me what they can pray for, I say pray for strength for Davin and Lindsey - not today, but in the days, weeks, months and years to come.”



 

Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt mourns cousin Janie’s death, shares message of faith amid Texas flood tragedy

Kansas City Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt, Jane "Janie" Hunt’s cousin, also mourned the loss. Gracie is the daughter of team owner Clark Hunt and the great-niece of Jane’s great-grandfather, oil tycoon William Herbert Hunt.



 

In a deeply personal post on social media, Gracie reflected on the tragedy and leaned on her faith, “My heart aches for our extended family and friends who lost daughters - for every life lost and every family shattered by the floods in Texas,” she wrote.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gracie Hunt (@graciehunt)


 

“I don’t have easy answers, but I do know this: following Jesus doesn’t spare us from pain, but it means we never face it alone. Even in the darkest valleys, we hold on to the hope that this is not the end of the story,” she added. 

Donald Trump visits flood-ravaged Kerrville, pledges federal support as search continues for the missing

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited Kerrville on Friday, July 11, where they surveyed the devastation left behind by the floodwaters that ripped through Central Texas, killing at least 120 people, including 100 in Kerr County alone.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit walk across the tarmac at Lackland Air Force Base after meeting with state and local leaders, first responders and victims of last week's flash flooding on July 11, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Trump traveled to Texas one week after flash flooding along the Guadalupe River swept through cities, mobile home parks and summer camps, killing 120 people. Ninety-six of those killed were in Kerr County, where the toll includes at least 36 children. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk across the tarmac at Lackland Air Force Base after meeting with state and local leaders, first responders, and victims of last week's flash flooding on July 11, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“This is a tough one. It’s hard to believe the devastation,” Trump said. “Trees that are 100 years old just ripped out of the ground. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

The president met with grieving parents and praised the work of first responders, law enforcement, and emergency crews. “The people here, first responders, the sheriff’s office, all of the police, law enforcement, they’ve done an unbelievable job,” Trump said. 

More than 170 people remain missing across the region, with at least 161 unaccounted for in Kerr County alone. The POTUS signed a federal disaster declaration at Governor Greg Abbott’s request, allowing FEMA to deploy aid and recovery support.

Trump noted that over 400 federal responders have assisted with search and rescue, and 1,500 rescues have been carried out since the flooding began.

U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions while departing the White House with first lady Melania Trump on July 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is scheduled to travel to Central Texas today to meet with first responders and local elected officials involved with the recovery process from last week's flash flooding event that has claimed more than 120 lives. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump answers questions while departing the White House with first lady Melania Trump on July 11, 2025, in Washington, DC ( Win McNamee/Getty Images)

“All across the country, Americans' hearts are shattered,” the president said. “We’re filled with grief and devastation at the loss of life. And unfortunately, they’re still looking. There’s a lot of missing children.”

A home covered in debris sits near the town center on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
A home covered in debris sits near the town center on July 6, 2025, in Hunt, Texas (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Rescue efforts continue despite additional storms, as communities along the Guadalupe River struggle to recover from the catastrophic event.

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