With heavy hearts, we share the devastating news that two young siblings, 7-year-old Sebastian Trotter and 4-year-old Charlotte Trotter, tragically lost their lives during the catastrophic flash flooding that struck Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025

With heavy hearts, we share the devastating news that two young siblings, 7-year-old Sebastian Trotter and 4-year-old Charlotte Trotter, tragically lost their lives during the catastrophic flash flooding that struck Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

The Trotter family, like many others in the community, had been attempting to seek safety as severe thunderstorms rolled across the region, triggering rapid and deadly flooding. The storm dumped several inches of rain within a short span of time, overwhelming rivers, creeks, and the ground’s ability to absorb the deluge. It was during this terrifying event that the unthinkable occurred—the surging floodwaters swept through areas near their home, pulling the two children away from their loved ones in an instant.

Sebastian and Charlotte were vibrant, joyful, and deeply loved children whose lives were filled with wonder, laughter, and boundless affection. Sebastian, a rising second-grader, was known for his curious mind, gentle heart, and adventurous spirit. He adored dinosaurs, loved to build intricate Lego creations, and had recently taken an interest in astronomy, often staring up at the stars and asking profound questions that belied his young age. Charlotte, a spirited and loving preschooler, lit up every room she entered with her sweet smile and sparkling eyes. She loved to sing, play dress-up, and was never far from her older brother’s side—they were inseparable.

The loss of these precious children has sent waves of grief through not only their family but also the entire Ruidoso community. Neighbors, friends, classmates, teachers, and complete strangers have come together to mourn, to remember, and to support one another in the face of this unimaginable tragedy. Vigils have been held, flowers and stuffed animals left near the flood site, and candles lit in memory of two lives taken far too soon.

The Trotter family is devastated, navigating an unspeakable heartbreak that no parent, sibling, or grandparent should ever have to endure. Their pain is immeasurable, yet they are surrounded by a growing network of love, prayer, and solidarity from those who know them and even from those who do not but who have been moved by their story.

This tragedy is a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictable power and the fragile beauty of life. It also speaks to the importance of community in the darkest of times. Local emergency crews, volunteers, and neighbors acted with urgency and compassion during the flooding and continue to assist in the recovery and healing process.

In memory of Sebastian and Charlotte, their family has asked that people hold their own children a little tighter, spread kindness where they can, and consider donating to local flood relief efforts or to a fund being set up in the children’s names, which will go toward emergency preparedness resources and child-focused community programs in Ruidoso.

Though Sebastian and Charlotte’s lives were heartbreakingly short, the light they brought into the world will never be forgotten. Their spirits will forever live on in the stories shared by their loved ones, the laughter they left behind, and the love that endures even in the midst of loss. May they rest in eternal peace, hand in hand, just as they were in life.