Tragic Discovery: Missing Girl Audrii Cunningham Found Dead in River

It’s absolutely heartbreaking news for the small town of Livingston, Texas. Last Tuesday, 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham was reported missing after she didn’t make it to her school bus or arrive at school. Police and volunteers had been searching around the clock to try and find her.

Sadly, on Monday they received the news no one wanted to hear. Audrii’s body was discovered in the Trinity River near a bridge on Highway 59. Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said they will now focus on gathering evidence to achieve justice for Audrii. They had identified 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal, who knew Audrii’s family, as a person of interest in her disappearance.

What Happened to Audrii?

From what they’ve been able to piece together, McDougal who lived in a trailer behind Audrii’s home would sometimes give her rides to the bus stop. They believe he was the last person to see her before she went missing. McDougal has a criminal history dating back to the early 2000s including enticing a child. He was already in jail on unrelated aggravated assault charges when Audrii disappeared but allegedly refused to cooperate with investigators.

The district attorney says they will now begin preparing arrest warrants for McDougal related to Audrii’s death. If convicted of capital murder, he could face the death penalty. It’s a devastating loss for Audrii’s family and community. Only time will tell if they get justice for her, but the discovery at least brings them a sense of closure in this heartbreaking case.