It began with a dark, early-morning drive and a tragic wrong turn — one that would leave a Texas family forever changed. In the chaos of rising floodwaters, 17-year-old Malaya Grace Hammond made the ultimate sacrifice — saving her siblings and a friend while losing her own life in the process.
On July 5, 2025, the Hammond family left Marble Falls, Texas, around 4:30 a.m., heading to a summer camp in the Ozarks. The group included Malaya; her 16-year-old brother Khalil; her 13-year-old sister Surya; Surya’s best friend, 14-year-old Opal Alexander; and their parents, Matthew and Liz Hammond — both well-known local artists and outdoor enthusiasts.
When they learned their planned route was flooded, they changed course — unknowingly driving across a collapsed bridge. Their van plunged into rushing water before they could react.
As the vehicle sank, the family began singing “Rise and Shine, and Give God the Glory” to stay calm. Matthew urged everyone to roll down the windows, and Malaya quickly opened the sliding door so the children could escape.
Malaya swam free and was seen by her father about 15 feet away in the river, floating on her back and still singing the song to keep herself calm. That was the last time he saw her alive.
Matthew, a strong swimmer himself, turned his attention to his wife and son, who were struggling nearby. Liz had swallowed a lot of water but managed to reach the shore, where she clung to a tree — the same one her son Khalil had found.
Opal, who had been texting her mom during the crash, held onto a tree branch and her phone at the same time, calling 911. Khalil spotted her and helped pull her to safety.
After rescuing the others, Matthew and Khalil searched desperately for Malaya and Surya. They eventually found Surya walking through a field beyond a fence — alone. Malaya wasn’t with her.
The family spent the next two days combing land, air, and water for her. On July 7, Matthew arrived at the search site and saw his son crying. He knew instantly what it meant.
Malaya had been found — wrapped in cedar branches, peaceful and beautiful. Her father recalled:
“I wanted her to wake up. I thought, if Jesus could raise Lazarus, why couldn’t I raise my own daughter?”
But she didn’t wake up.
Michael Phillips, a volunteer fire chief from Marble Falls, also disappeared while searching for Malaya and remains missing.
“She was and is an extraordinary soul,” said Matthew. “We miss her like nothing I’ve ever missed in my life.”
In a Facebook video shared by filmmaker Mikki Willis, Malaya’s father described her as “the most loving person I have ever known.” A gifted musician like her parents, Malaya wrote deeply moving songs and loved harmonizing — not just musically, but in life.
“She brought people together,” Matthew said. “She believed in harmony beneath all the noise and chaos.”
Now, the Hammonds are committed to continuing Malaya’s legacy of love and service, dedicating their lives to helping other grieving families.
Mikki Willis and close family friend Steve Vincent have helped launch GoFundMe and GiveSendGo campaigns to support the family with funeral costs and recovery after losing nearly everything in the floods.
Malaya was set to be a counselor at a Christian summer camp this year — the same place her siblings were attending. Our deepest condolences go out to the Hammond family during this unimaginable time.