The search for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who went missing in Polk County, East Texas, concluded tragically on Tuesday, February 20th, after divers discovered her lifeless body in the Trinity River beneath the U.S. 59 bridge.
Audrii was reported missing by friends last Thursday when she failed to return home from school in Livingston. She was supposed to catch the school bus at her neighborhood stop, but school officials confirmed that she neither boarded the bus nor attended classes.
Living with her father, Joshua Cunningham, at the time, Audrii was acquainted with Don Steven McDougal, who resided in a trailer on the same property as Cunningham.
Authorities disclosed distressing details surrounding Audrii's discovery, revealing that her body was found tied to a substantial rock in the river, employing the same type of rope discovered in McDougal's vehicle during a search.
Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons disclosed that McDougal had occasionally assisted Audrii by driving her to the bus stop or even directly to school if she missed her bus. McDougal is believed to have been the last person to see Audrii before her disappearance.
Don Steven McDougal, 42, already in custody on an unrelated assault charge, will face charges of Capital Murder in connection with Audrii's death. Prosecutors intend to pursue the death penalty should McDougal be convicted.
