SAN ANTONIO, TX — It’s been over two weeks since the floods in Kerr County claimed hundreds of lives. Mike Richards cabin was swept away by the Guadalupe River, but he isn’t focusing on rebuilding now.
Instead, he’s focusing on giving families closure after finding 10 bodies of flood victims on his two mile stretch of land along the Guadalupe River.
“The very first body, it was down here,” Richards said. “Right at the bottom.”
Richards says it haunts him that he wasn’t able to help the first victim found on his property because there were signs, he was still alive.
“The man had been bleeding, and that just indicates to me he was alive when he was here,” Richards said. “I don’t know if I could’ve saved him or not. I just would’ve liked the opportunity to try.”
Although the images are stained in this memory, Richards says he felt in his heart to push on to find others.
“That’s somebody’s grandad that was there,” Richards said. “Somebody’s son. They mean a lot to people. I’m just glad to bring him closure for his family.”
With the help of over 200 volunteers Richards was able to search almost every corner of his land.
“One was found in a tree, and the rest were found by the river,” Richards said.
But there is one corner he says is left unturned that search and rescue dogs are drawn to.
“One spot right over there,” Richards said. “It’s probably 50×100 ft. That’s still concerning to me.”