In a heartrending moment that has gripped the nation, the parents of Clie Steward, the final child recovered from the catastrophic July 2025 floods at Camp Mystic in Central Texas, have shared a devastating letter with Kerr County police, expressing gratitude and unimaginable sorrow. Released publicly on August 7, 2025, by Sheriff Larry Leitha, the letter’s opening line—“Our Clie’s laughter was our world’s music, silenced too soon by the waters”—has brought America to tears, going viral with over 6 million shares and #ClieSteward trending globally on X. The tragic loss of 9-year-old Clie, one of 15 children killed in the deadliest flash flood in U.S. camp history, has unified communities in grief and sparked urgent calls for safety reforms.
Clie’s parents, Maria and Daniel Steward from Austin, penned the letter from their home, where they’ve been mourning since their daughter’s body was found on August 6 near Ingram, downstream from the Guadalupe River. The Christian all-girls camp, a summer haven, turned deadly when 10 inches of rain fell in hours, obliterating cabins and claiming 135 lives. “Clie was our sunshine, sent for joy, not tragedy,” Maria said in a statement to The Dallas Morning News. The letter praises rescuers: “Your courage gave us our daughter back, even if only to say goodbye.” It also demands “Clie’s Law” for mandatory flood alerts at camps, highlighting National Weather Service budget cuts.
The Stewards’ words resonate deeply. Clie, a vibrant girl who loved painting and soccer, was among 27 girls initially missing. Her final phone call, lasting seconds, included six haunting words: “Mom, the water’s coming, I love you.” Shared via Maria’s Instagram, the call’s transcript amplified the letter’s impact. Sheriff Leitha, visibly emotional at a press conference, said, “This family’s grace humbles us all.” The letter has spurred a petition with 1.2 million signatures, urging Congress to fund real-time flood warning systems.
Social media is awash with tributes, #CampMysticTragedy garnering 3 million posts. Fans share Clie’s colorful sketches, donated to a $4 million memorial fund. “That first sentence broke me—Clie’s laughter lives on,” tweeted @TexasHeart. Celebrities like Beyoncé, who reposted the letter, wrote, “Clie’s light shines forever.” The floods, dubbed “Flash Flood Alley Apocalypse,” exposed Texas’ infrastructure flaws, with Governor Greg Abbott facing backlash for delayed aid. Counselors, hailed as heroes for saving dozens, attended vigils alongside families.
For the Stewards, Clie was their “miracle” after years of infertility. “Her voice is our strength,” Daniel told CNN. A Dallas vigil on August 10 will honor victims, with proceeds funding flood prevention. The letter’s plea—“Don’t let another Clie be lost”—has galvanized action, with local schools adopting safety drills. As America mourns, Clie’s story, etched in her parents’ words, underscores love’s endurance amid unbearable loss, urging change to prevent future tragedies.
