Bankruptcy judge lifts pause on wrongful death lawsuits against Camp Mystic

Key Points:

• A federal bankruptcy judge has ruled that wrongful death lawsuits against Camp Mystic can resume on November 9, lifting a pause that followed the camp's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing after a deadly flood in July 2025.
• More than a dozen families are suing the camp and its owners, the Eastland family, after 25 campers and two counselors died in the flood, including one of the owners, Dick Eastland.
• The judge emphasized the public interest in resolving the claims promptly and noted that no payouts can be made without bankruptcy court approval, while the location of the lawsuits remains uncertain amid motions to transfer venue.
• The Eastland family currently controls the bankruptcy case but faces pressure from a creditor committee and the U.S. Trustee to appoint an independent Chapter 11 trustee or convert the case to liquidation due to conflicts of interest.
• A hearing on the control of the bankruptcy case is scheduled for October 13, with a decision expected by October 19, as the Eastlands propose appointing independent directors and have filed a reorganization plan involving the sale of most camp assets.