It was meant to be a peaceful family outing by the river. But by sundown, two young brothers were missing. By nightfall, their lifeless bodies were pulled from the water, sending shockwaves through a quiet Texas community.
Banx McAmis, just four years old, and his seven-year-old brother Bowyn Miller were discovered dead on the evening of Tuesday, October 7, 2025, along the Brazos River in Johnson County, Texas.
Authorities revealed that the boys had been playing by the water’s edge at Hamm Creek Park, just outside Rio Vista, when they vanished around 6:10 p.m.
What was described as a “frantic two-hour search” followed. Rescue crews scoured the area until, at around 8:30 p.m., the children were recovered from the river. Despite immediate efforts, they were pronounced dead at the scene, devastating the family and the surrounding community.
According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the boys had been at the park with their parents. Lt. Keven George shared, “Unfortunately, it’s one of those situations where they looked away for a minute and it didn’t take much.”
The Johnson County Medical Examinerlater confirmed both deaths as accidental drownings. Investigators added that foul play was not suspected.
Bowyn, a second-grader at Plum Creek Elementary School, was remembered in a letter sent to families by Joshua Independent School District (ISD). The district expressed its deep condolencesand confirmed that counseling teams would be available to support grieving students and staff.
In a somber public message, the Sheriff’s Office urged residents to prioritize water safety and remain vigilant when children are near open bodies of water. The department emphasized the use of life jackets and close supervision, especially in natural environments where conditions can change rapidly.
Multiple emergency crews, including responders from the Cleburne and Grandview fire departments and Texas Game Wardens, joined the search efforts. The Sheriff’s Office publicly thanked all teams involved and extended its heartfelt condolences, calling the incident an “unimaginable tragedy.”