News Summary
The death of 8-year-old Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal in the recent Kerr County floods has deeply impacted the San Antonio community. As search efforts continue for survivors, the tragedy sheds light on emergency preparedness challenges. Kellyanne, a vibrant and beloved member of her community, was a promising student and an aspiring cheerleader. Her family’s grief is shared by many as they honor her memory through a memorial foundation aimed at supporting charitable causes she loved.
San Antonio, Texas — The heart-wrenching loss of 8-year-old Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal has struck a chord in the Kerr County community after she perished in floods that ravaged the area on July 4, 2025. Kellyanne was attending her first year at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, when the floods engulfed the campgrounds, leading to a tragic sequence of events that ultimately claimed her life.
Reports following the disaster initially indicated that 97 individuals were missing, but as of the latest updates, that number had decreased significantly to three, as many were located unharmed. The floods have been described as one of the deadliest flooding events in Texas history, taking at least 135 lives, including 37 children, prompting widespread scrutiny of emergency preparedness and response efforts. Recovery operations have mobilized over 2,200 personnel actively searching along the Guadalupe River for those unaccounted for.
Born on May 25, 2017, in Houston, Texas, Kellyanne was baptized at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Her family moved to the Alamo Heights community in San Antonio when she was just three years old. Her educational journey began at St. David’s Episcopal School, followed by her graduation from Kindergarten at Howard Early Childhood Center. Kellyanne flourished in the Alamo Heights School District, completing Second Grade at Cambridge Elementary, where she earned the title of Mighty Mule and received the Cambridge PTO Excellence Award for her academic excellence.
Known for her vibrant and unforgettable personality, Kellyanne had aspirations to become a cheerleader, fueled by her enthusiasm for Alamo Heights sports. She dreamed of attending the University of Texas at Austin and joining the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, following in the footsteps of her family members. Kellyanne was an active member of her community, participating in Girl Scout Troop 5116 and dedicating her time to various charitable causes.
With a wide array of interests, Kellyanne loved performing arts, dancing, gymnastics, and sports, including rollerblading, snow skiing, softball, soccer, and cheerleading. She had an “angelic voice” and enjoyed singing Christian songs and spending quality time with friends and family as they hosted dance parties together. Her keen interest in fashion was evident in her love for makeup and skincare, often expressing herself through her choice of clothing and accessories.
Celebrated for her sweetness, Kellyanne cherished family traditions, particularly during Christmas, and enjoyed the playful company of her beloved Elf on the Shelf named “Jolly.” Her favorite colors and candy reflected her youthful spirit, and she often indulged in snacks like chips and queso, alongside her favorite drink, Shirley Temples with cherries. Kellyanne shared simple yet profound moments with her family, from snuggling with her mother to enjoying sports activities with her father, and playing with her younger sister, Emmalynn Grace Lytal.
Kellyanne is survived by her parents, Malorie Liljenwall Lytal and James Wade Lytal, her sister Emmalynn, her grandparents, and her extensive family, all of whom are grieving the profound loss. In her honor, a celebration of Kellyanne’s life has been scheduled for July 26, 2025, at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church in San Antonio. Furthermore, the family has initiated the Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal Memorial Foundation to support charitable causes that align with her passions.
The tragic death of Kellyanne Lytal sheds light on the devastating impact of the Kerr County floods, which have brought about a collective mourning in the community. As recovery efforts continue, the search for survivors and the restoration of the area remain a top priority, further emphasizing the need for improved emergency response mechanisms in the wake of such catastrophic events.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Kerr County, Texas
- CBS News
- Google Search: Texas floods July 2025
- KSAT
- Google Scholar: flood rescue Texas
- New York Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas floods
- KENS5
- Google News: Kerr County floods
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
