William Hudson and the 2015 Texas Campsite Murders
Overview
William Mitchell Hudson was responsible for the murders of six members of an extended family near Tennessee Colony, a rural community outside Palestine in Anderson County, Texas. The killings occurred on November 15, 2015, after the victims gathered for a weekend camping trip on property that had previously belonged to Hudson's family.
Hudson, who was 33 years old at the time, initially behaved as though he wanted to befriend the campers. He helped them when their truck and travel trailer became stuck in the mud, spent time with the group and joined them around their campsite. Several hours later, he turned against the family and carried out one of the deadliest mass murders in the history of Anderson County.
The Victims
- Thomas "Tom" Kamp, age 45 killed on November 15, 2015, near Tennessee Colony in Anderson County, Texas.
- Hannah Johnson, age 40 killed on November 15, 2015, at the family's campsite near Tennessee Colony, Texas.
- Carl Johnson, age 77 killed on November 15, 2015, at the campsite near Tennessee Colony, Texas.
- Nathan Kamp, age 23 killed on November 15, 2015, near a stock pond behind Hudson's residence in Anderson County, Texas.
- Austin Kamp, age 21 killed on November 15, 2015, near a stock pond behind Hudson's residence in Anderson County, Texas.
- Kade Johnson, age 6 killed on November 15, 2015, near a stock pond behind Hudson's residence in Anderson County, Texas.
The Family's Camping Trip
Thomas Kamp had recently purchased the wooded property where the family planned to camp. The land had once been associated with Hudson's family, and prosecutors later argued that Hudson was resentful because the property had been sold and he had been unable to acquire it himself.
Thomas was joined by his girlfriend, Hannah Johnson; Hannah's parents, Carl and Cynthia Johnson; Hannah's six-year-old son, Kade Johnson; and Thomas's adult sons, Nathan and Austin Kamp. Nathan and Austin traveled from California for the gathering. The trip was partly intended to celebrate Nathan's approaching 24th birthday and to provide the family with time together in rural East Texas.
The group arrived with a truck and camping trailer, but their vehicles became stuck in the muddy ground. Hudson appeared and assisted them. His willingness to help initially caused the family to view him as a friendly neighbor. He remained near the campsite, socialized with the campers and consumed alcoholic drinks with members of the group.
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