In a heartbreaking turn of events, Audrii Cunningham, the missing 11-year-old girl from Texas, was discovered lifeless on Tuesday afternoon. The Polk County Sheriff, Byron Lyons, shared this devastating news during a somber press conference. Audrii’s body was found in the Trinity River near the US Highway 59 bridge in Livingston.
Sheriff Lyons, visibly affected by this tragic discovery, reassured the community that they will tirelessly process the evidence gathered to ensure justice for Audrii. Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton revealed that they are preparing arrest warrants for Don Steven McDougal, 42, in connection with Audrii’s disappearance. There is potential for capital murder charges in this case.
McDougal’s arrest on Friday, on unrelated charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, raised suspicions as investigators sought his cooperation in Audrii’s disappearance. Despite several opportunities, McDougal, who was likely the last person to see Audrii, failed to cooperate fully, according to Lt. Craig Cummings, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Southeast Texas.
During a press conference on Monday, Sheriff Lyons expressed concern about public speculation and urged people not to jump to conclusions. Audrii should have boarded her school bus on the morning of February 15th but never made it, leading to a series of investigations that ultimately led to this tragic discovery.
McDougal, who resides in a camper behind Audrii’s residence, would occasionally give her a ride to the bus stop or even take her to school when she missed the bus, as mentioned by Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, in an interview with FOX 26 Houston.
Efforts are currently underway to reconstruct McDougal’s movements on the critical morning of February 15th. Sheriff Lyons revealed that McDougal has agreed to show investigators specific locations after his arrest.
The severity of the situation prompted a statewide Amber Alert on February 16th, intensifying the search for Audrii. Sheriff Lyons later acknowledged that a backpack found in a wooded area near the Livingston Dam likely belonged to the young girl, adding another layer to the ongoing investigation.
McDougal has an extensive criminal history dating back to the early 2000s, including charges ranging from child enticement to assault of a family member and evading arrest. As investigators delve into his past, they are appealing to the public to submit any video footage of FM 3126 in Polk County between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on February 15th. This footage could provide crucial insights into the unfolding tragedy.
The community mourns the loss of Audrii Cunningham, and as authorities delve deeper into the investigation, they seek support from the public to uncover the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.
