KERR COUNTY, Texas — The heartbreaking search for missing 8-year-old Mary Kate Jacobe of Houston has come to a devastating end. Authorities have confirmed that her body was found after days of searching the flood-ravaged region of Kerr County, where torrential rains on July 4 triggered historic and deadly flooding.
Mary Kate was attending Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River, when disaster struck. What was meant to be a joyful and formative experience for dozens of young girls turned into an unimaginable tragedy as floodwaters swept through the camp and surrounding areas.
Her family confirmed her passing in a heartfelt statement:
“Our precious angel baby has entered the gates of Heaven. Mary Kate Jacobe was the light of our lives. She was tiny but mighty, full of love and joy with a smile that melted your heart. Please know we truly appreciate the prayers and support so lovingly expressed by so many.”
Mary Kate’s death is among the 27 confirmed fatalities from Camp Mystic alone — a staggering number that reflects the scale and intensity of the flooding that has ravaged central Texas. Statewide, at least 115 people are confirmed dead and over 160 remain missing. Search and rescue operations continue tirelessly, with crews combing through massive piles of debris along the Guadalupe River in hopes of finding survivors or bringing closure to grieving families.
Five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for.
The Jacobe family expressed not only their sorrow but also a sense of unity with others affected by the catastrophe:
“Our family extends our deepest sympathy to all those affected by the tragic flooding. We stand united by loss but rooted in love. May God be with you now and always.”
Mary Kate will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, boundless joy, and the love she shared with those around her in just eight short years of life. Her passing has left a profound emptiness in the hearts of her family, friends, and the broader Texas community.
As the state continues to reel from the devastation, communities have begun to unite in prayer, support, and action, determined to honor the lives lost — including Mary Kate Jacobe, a bright light gone far too soon.
Leave a Reply