DA Wilke moves to step aside from Camp Mystic investigation as Eastlands challenge warrants

District Attorney Lucy Wilke is asking to be removed from the Texas Rangers’ criminal investigation of Camp Mystic. At the same time, six members of the Eastland family are asking a judge to block investigators from reviewing data seized under the Rangers’ search warrants.

In a motion filed Friday, Wilke asked the court to let her and her office recuse themselves and to appoint an attorney pro tem. She cited a conflict of interest and a lack of resources. Among her reasons, she listed her years living near the Guadalupe River in Hunt, her past work opposite Britt Eastland when he was a defense attorney, and close friendships with people who are friends of the Eastland family. She also wrote that her office has been short an assistant district attorney for almost two years.

Wilke has asked the Texas Attorney General’s Office to take the case. It had not decided as of Friday.

Kerrville attorney Clay Steadman filed the motions Sept. 29 on behalf of Tweety Eastland, Edward Eastland, Richard Eastland Jr., Britt Eastland, Catie Eastland and Mary Liz Eastland. Each challenges a warrant from Texas Ranger Brant Johnston seeking the contents of an iCloud account from the days surrounding the July 4, 2025, flood. Some warrants cover only July 3–4. Edward Eastland’s extends through Oct. 17, 2025.

The motions argue the warrants are overbroad and will sweep up privileged communications with lawyers. They also question material in the affidavits supplied by Kelly Barnes, a lobbyist for the Heaven’s 27 families. The motions ask Judge Kirsten Cohoon, sitting by assignment, to freeze review of the data and appoint an independent reviewer.

Wilke also asked to postpone an Oct. 6 hearing until after Oct. 17. Steadman agreed on the condition that no one reviews the iCloud data or downloads the seized cellphones until the motions are heard.

The flood killed 119 people in Kerr County, including 28 at Camp Mystic.