Wilson Family’s Rodeo Trip Ends in Tragedy Amid Texas Flooding

A family outing to a youth rodeo turned devastating when rising waters swept away the Wilson family’s truck camper along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas. Over the Fourth of July weekend in 2025, Amber, Jeff, and their 12-year-old son, Shiloh Wilson, went missing during a flash flood. The incident has deeply affected the state, as one family member has been confirmed d**d and two remain missing.

The Family’s Trip to Kerrville

The Wilsons traveled from Kingwood, Texas, to attend a youth rodeo at the Youth Expo Center. They planned to camp overnight nearby. However, disaster struck when floodwaters rose rapidly.

Amber’s brother, John Dustin Ledford, posted an urgent plea on Facebook on July 4. He asked for help locating the family, sharing a photo of the trio and their camper. Although unsure which RV park they had chosen, his post quickly went viral, with friends and strangers sharing it to aid the search.

Grim Updates and Ongoing Search

By July 5, John shared heartbreaking news. He thanked everyone for their support and revealed that Jeff’s body had been found and identified via a photograph. The official forensic confirmation was still pending. Meanwhile, Amber and Shiloh remained missing. The family’s truck was found submerged, but the camper was detached and lost in the floodwaters.

John continued providing updates on July 6. He submitted his DNA sample to assist authorities and urged the public not to overload agencies with multiple reports, which could disrupt rescue efforts. He cautioned people to rely only on information from his official page and asked anyone with leads to contact him directly.

Search teams worked tirelessly near the river, focusing on areas where some of Shiloh’s belongings had been found, about 13 miles downstream from the last known location of the family.

Community Mourns and Supports

The tragedy has deeply impacted the Kingwood and Humble communities. Jeff Wilson was a respected teacher at Kingwood Park High School in the Humble Independent School District. His sudden d**th has left students, colleagues, and residents grieving.

On July 6, the school district organized a prayer vigil at Kingwood’s Town Center Park. The event drew a large crowd, showing how much Jeff meant to many. The district shared photos of the vigil on Facebook.

Jason Wagner, a longtime friend and former student, spoke emotionally during the vigil. He met Jeff in 1996 in a manufacturing systems class, and the teacher became like family. Jason recalled Jeff serving as best man at his wedding, with Shiloh as an usher and groomsman. “We have videos of Jeff dancing with my daughter at her wedding. He was a big part of my family’s life,” Jason said.

Jason highlighted Jeff’s influence on thousands of students and expressed hope for Amber and Shiloh’s safe return. “I’m still praying to God they are found safe,” he said.

Other former students echoed this sentiment. Julian Guerrero, who took Jeff’s advanced auto collision class, said, “He meant a lot to me, and he’s going to be missed. This just hurts.”

A Community United in Hope

As the search continues, the Wilson family’s story has united friends, former students, and strangers in hope. Everyone awaits resolution and prays for Amber and Shiloh’s safe recovery.