Linnie McCown GoFundMe raises over nearly $150,000 as community rallies around family of 8-year-old Camp Mystic camper

Linnie McCown has been identified as one of the victims of the devastating flash floods in Kerr County, Texas. Following the news of the young girl’s death, a GoFundMe campaign was created to honor her and support her family. 

Within a day of its creation, the fundraiser received overwhelming support from the community and raised more than $150,000. For those unaware, Mary Miles Temple of Austin, Texas, is the creator of the campaign, while Linnie McCown’s father, Michael, is the beneficiary. Temple shared that the funds will support the young girl’s family, “as they face the unimaginable.” Furthermore, Mary wrote about Linnie McCown, 

“Linnie was full of light, laughter, and love. She had the sweetest spirit-giggly, kind, and full of a joy that was contagious. She made people feel happy just by being near her, and her absence is felt deeply by everyone who knew her- and even many who didn’t.” 

Mary Miles Temple revealed that the funds will help the family with “funeral and memorial expenses as well as any unexpected costs in the weeks ahead.” She asserted that the remaining donations will “go toward honoring Linnie.” Temple also stated that a portion of the funds will support the first responders, who have been involved in the rescue efforts. Mary concluded, 

“Thank you for surrounding this family with your love - through your prayers, your support, and the way you’ve shown up in both quiet and big ways. It all matters. And it means more than you know.” 

Linnie McCown was at Camp Mystic during the Texas floods 

This is 8-year-old Linnie Anne McCown from Austin, Texas. She was one of the campers at Camp Mystic who tragically died during the devastating flooding in Hunt, Texas. Her father Michael shared this with me- “She loved dance, gymnastics and was the sweetest girl to everyone she… pic.twitter.com/naSaG1NEYd

— Brooke Taylor (@Brooketaylortv) July 7, 2025

The sudden surge in water levels of the Guadalupe River significantly impacted the all-girls Christian summer camp. Over two dozen campers were initially reported missing, while some of them were soon confirmed to be dead. Linnie McCown was also present at Camp Mystic in Hunt when the calamity occurred.

According to the Washington Post, the eight-year-old from Austin was among the missing, and her father traveled to the Hill Country to search for her. The outlet reported that Michael McCown visited churches registered with all the requisite authorities during the Texas floods. He also went to the local morgue, but to no avail. 

McCown went to Camp Mystic to find her daughter. He told the outlet, 

“I’m just going to walk [through the property]... I’m going to walk until I find something.” 

According to the Washington Post, Michael confirmed on Sunday, July 6, that “his daughter’s body was found.” According to the Austin American-Statesman, Linnie McCown’s father wrote a post on social media, 

“She filled our hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain. We are going to miss her so very much but know she's up there shining bright.” 

Tragic Loss at Camp Mystic: Two Young Lives Claimed by Floods

With heavy hearts, we share the devastating news that two young girls from Austin are among the victims of the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Eight-year-old Linnie McCown, a student at Casis… pic.twitter.com/3TbIbBIzb8

— Andrea Shaffer, Employment/Labor Law (@Andreafreedom76) July 7, 2025

Linnie McCown, a student of Casis Elementary, was not the only girl from Austin who lost her life during the Texas floods. According to the Austin American-Statesman, Mary Stevens of Highland Park Elementary School was also among the victims. 

On Monday, July 7, Camp Mystic’s official website also reflected a message mourning the loss of campers and counselors, 

“Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river. Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.” 

It continues, 

“We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level. We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.” 

According to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, the authorities have recovered 75 deceased in the county, which includes 48 adults and 27 children. Fifteen adults and nine children remain unidentified, as rescue efforts continue. The sheriff’s office also confirmed that 10 Camp Mystic campers and one counselor are still missing.