Remembering those lost during the devastating Fourth of July flooding in the Hill Country

KERR COUNTY, Texas — A devastating scene unfolded in the Hill Country on the Fourth of July as at least 27 people, including children, died due to flooding in Kerr County. That number is expected to increase and search and rescue operations continue Saturday. 

While KENS 5 is still working to confirm the identities of those lost, here is what we know about the people who we have identified.

The Kerrville Daily Times confirmed that Jane Ragsdale, a camp director at Heart O’ the Hills Camp in Hunt, died in Friday’s flash floods.

Ragsdale was a camper and counselor at Heart O’ the Hills Camp in the 1970’s before becoming a co-owner of the camp in 1976. She served as program director before becoming the camp director in 1988.

The Heart O’ the Hills website describes Ragsdale as “the heart and soul” of camp as she had received the Pioneer Trailblazer Award from the Pioneer Alumni Association in 2022 and the Speedy Altman Award, a national lifetime achievement award from the Camp Owners and Directors Association.

Renee Smajstrla’s family has confirmed that she died due to the flooding. Renee was a camper at Camp Mystic, who at last check still have about 23 girls unaccounted for.

“Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly,” the family said in a Facebook post. “We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday. She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic. Please continue to pray for the other families in Kerrville. We are now trying to make our way home from Italy to be with Michelle’s family.”

Eric Steele confirmed to KENS 5’s sister station, WFAA , that his brother-in-law, Jeff Ramsey, died after floodwaters rushed through the HTR campground along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville overnight on Friday, where the family was staying. 

Ramsey’s body has been recovered, Steele confirmed. Jeff’s wife, Tanya Ramsey, remains missing as of 11:15 a.m. Saturday. Steele said Tanya’s phone was found inside her windbreaker jacket.

When the river water started to rise, Julian Ryan, who lives along the river with his fiance, two kids and his mother, sprang into action. Those actions ended up being the last of his life.

Through tears and shock, the 27-year-old’s family members said the father, brother, and fiancé died a hero.

“He died a hero, and that will never go unnoticed,” Ryan’s sister, Connie Salas, said.

We will continue to add victims as we confirm their identities.