HORROR: Brothers Jump Into Frozen Pond — None Survive

A frozen lake with cracked ice and blue hues

Three young brothers died in a tragic chain of heroism when they jumped into an icy Texas pond to save each other, a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly winter dangers can turn deadly for families already suffering under extreme weather conditions.

Story Snapshot

Howard (6), Kaleb (8), and EJ (9) died after falling through ice on a Bonham, Texas pond during a massive winter storm
The youngest fell first; his older brothers jumped in to save him, creating a tragic chain reaction
Their mother Cheyenne Hangaman attempted rescue but was incapacitated by freezing water
The tragedy marks the second North Texas student death that week from storm-related incidents

Brothers’ Heroic Instinct Turns Fatal

Howard, the youngest at just six years old, fell through the ice first on a private pond across from where the family was staying during the storm. When Kaleb, 8, and EJ, 9, witnessed their little brother’s distress, they didn’t hesitate. Despite typical sibling rivalries, the older boys immediately jumped into the freezing water in desperate attempts to pull Howard to safety. Their mother later told reporters she expected nothing less from her sons, saying they were “mean to each other” but always “there for each other.” This instinctive loyalty cost all three boys their lives in a matter of minutes.

Mother’s Desperate Rescue Attempt Fails

Cheyenne Hangaman, alerted by her daughter, rushed to the pond and plunged into the icy water to save her sons. The freezing temperatures immediately seized her body, leaving her unable to function. “I locked up,” she recounted, describing the physical paralysis that overtook her in the deadly cold water. A neighbor and local high school football coach John Ramsay arrived to assist, pulling Hangaman from the water with a rope. The neighbor and first responders from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and Bonham Fire Department recovered Kaleb and EJ, rushing them to the hospital where they were pronounced dead. An extensive search later recovered Howard’s body from the pond.

Winter Storm Creates Deadly Conditions Across Texas

The tragedy unfolded during a massive winter storm that brought heavy snow, ice, and sleet across the United States, claiming over 40 lives nationwide. Bonham Independent School District had canceled classes Monday and Tuesday due to hazardous icy roads and freezing temperatures. The family was staying at a friend’s house near the wooded pond, with the boys out of school when the accident occurred. This incident marked the second student fatality in North Texas that week, following 16-year-old Elizabeth Angle’s death in a sledding accident in Frisco just days earlier. The recurring tragedies underscore the genuine dangers rural communities face when infrastructure and emergency response capabilities are stretched thin during extreme weather events.

Community Rallies Around Grieving Family

Bonham, a rural community of approximately 10,000 residents located 60 miles northeast of Dallas near the Oklahoma border, has been devastated by the loss. Superintendent Lance Hamlin expressed the district’s grief, stating they were “devastated by this unimaginable loss” and offering thoughts to the family. The school has provided counseling services to students and staff struggling with the tragedy. Hangaman, now grieving the loss of three of her six children, described each boy’s unique personality: EJ loved football, Kaleb was sweet-natured, and Howard was the goofy one. Friends and family have created a memorial at the pond site, where ice still remained visible Tuesday, a grim reminder of the ongoing hazards.

Lessons on Rural Preparedness and Family Values

This heartbreaking incident highlights critical concerns about private property safety and emergency preparedness in rural areas during severe weather. The boys’ immediate response to help their brother reflects strong family bonds and protective instincts—values conservatives hold dear—but also reveals gaps in supervision and safety awareness when families seek shelter during storms. Coach Ramsay noted that “any person would have done the same” when close enough to help, emphasizing the community’s instinct to protect one another. However, the rapid escalation from a single child’s accident to three deaths demonstrates how quickly situations deteriorate in freezing conditions, particularly when families are displaced from their homes and staying in unfamiliar locations with natural hazards nearby.