Memorial Service Planned For Victims Of Anderson County Campsite Murders

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PALESTINE (CBS11) - A memorial service is planned for Saturday afternoon at 1:00 for members of an extended, blended family murdered while camping in East Texas over the weekend.

According to court documents, Hannah Johnson, died of blunt force injuries. Her fiancé, Thomas Kamp, his adult sons Nathan and Austin, (who were visiting from California) and Johnson's six year old son, Kade were shot to death. Their bodies were found in a pond on the suspect's property. Johnson and her father, Carl Johnson, were found murdered in a travel trailer.

A neighbor, whose family owned the land adjacent to the property Thomas Kamp purchased in August, is the only suspect. 33-year-old William Mitchell Hudson is being held without bail, facing six counts of capital murder.

Court documents tell us that Hudson befriended the campers and lured Kamp, his sons and six-year-old Kade away from the campsite to gather firewood. Cindy Johnson, the lone survivor, told police that she heard several gunshots and Hudson came back to the campsite alone. He is accused of chasing Carl Johnson and Hannah into a travel trailer on the property where they were murdered. Johnson managed to hide until she could safety summon help.

"Understandably, she is very grieved," said Allyson Mitchell, Anderson County district attorney during a briefing Friday. "She is an extraordinarily strong individual. And I keep her in my thoughts and prayers… I'm sure the majority of the community does as well."

Mitchell told reporters it is too soon to say whether she will ask for the death penalty if Hudson is convicted.

The memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 800 S. 9th Street in Midlothian.

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