Frozen Pond Horror: Texas Storm Claims Three Brothers

A frozen lake with cracked ice and blue hues

Three young brothers perished in freezing Texas waters while attempting to save each other, a heartbreaking tragedy that underscores the deadly consequences of extreme weather and the unfathomable grief facing one American family.

Story Snapshot

Howard (6), Kaleb (8), and EJ (9) died January 26, 2026, after falling through ice on a private pond in Bonham, Texas, during a massive winter storm
Mother Cheyenne Hangaman jumped into freezing water to rescue her sons but was incapacitated by the cold and pulled out by neighbors
The youngest fell first; his older brothers jumped in attempting to save him, demonstrating extraordinary courage in their final moments
The tragedy occurred amid a nationwide storm responsible for over 35 deaths across multiple states

Brothers’ Heroic Sacrifice Ends in Tragedy

Howard, Kaleb, and EJ Hangaman were staying at a friend’s house across from a private pond north of Bonham, Texas, when catastrophe struck on January 26, 2026. The youngest brother, six-year-old Howard, fell through thin ice covering the pond first. Without hesitation, his older brothers—eight-year-old Kaleb and nine-year-old EJ—jumped into the freezing water attempting to rescue him. Their sister witnessed the horror unfold and immediately alerted their mother. This selfless act of brotherly love exemplifies the values of sacrifice and family that conservatives hold dear, yet ended in unspeakable loss.

Mother’s Desperate Rescue Attempt

Cheyenne Hangaman rushed to the pond and dove into the icy water without hesitation, driven by a mother’s instinct to save her children. She described the harrowing experience to FOX 4, saying “It was just one of me and three of them… I couldn’t save them.” The freezing temperature rapidly incapacitated her, locking up her body before she could reach all three boys. A neighbor threw her a rope and pulled her from the water. This mother’s bravery reflects the strength of parental love, yet highlights the brutal reality that sometimes courage alone cannot overcome nature’s dangers. First responders and neighbors recovered the eight and nine-year-olds, who were pronounced dead at a hospital. Texas Game Wardens conducted an extensive search to locate six-year-old Howard.

Rare Winter Storm Creates Deadly Conditions

Bonham, a rural town of approximately 10,000 residents located 60 miles northeast of Dallas in Fannin County, rarely experiences the kind of frigid conditions that created this tragedy. The massive 2026 winter storm brought unprecedented ice and freezing temperatures to Texas and much of the southern United States. Bonham ISD canceled classes on January 26 due to extreme cold, leaving children at home or with friends—a decision made for safety that ironically placed the Hangaman brothers near the hazardous frozen pond. By January 27, the storm had claimed over 35 lives nationwide through hypothermia, shoveling-related heart attacks, and various accidents. The pond remained frozen solid on Tuesday, a chilling reminder of conditions Texans are ill-equipped to handle.

Community Mourns Devastating Loss

Bonham ISD Superintendent Lance Hamlin issued a statement expressing the community’s grief: “Devastated by this unimaginable loss.” The school district provided family support services and kept classes canceled as residents processed the tragedy. Cheyenne Hangaman shared memories of her sons with media, describing EJ as football-loving, Kaleb as sweet, and Howard as goofy. The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office initially withheld the boys’ names for privacy, though the family chose to share their story publicly through FOX 4. This was the second North Texas student fatality that week; 16-year-old Elizabeth Angle died January 25 in Frisco when a sled being pulled by a Jeep struck a curb and tree.

Questions About Private Property Safety

The tragedy occurred on a private pond, raising concerns about landowner responsibilities and warning systems for frozen water hazards. Unlike public parks where authorities post ice thickness warnings and restrict access, private ponds near residential areas operate without such oversight. This incident may prompt local discussions about ordinances requiring property owners to fence or post warnings near bodies of water, particularly during rare weather events when ice appears deceptively solid but remains dangerously thin. The fire chief was expected to provide an investigation update January 27, though no findings had been released. For conservatives who value property rights, this presents a difficult balance between individual liberty and community safety—a conversation communities must have without federal overreach.