Main Suspect Charged with Capital Murder in Audrii Cunningham Case

In a significant development, the primary suspect in the tragic death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham has been formally charged with capital murder on Tuesday. Don Steven McDougal, who was initially arrested on February 16 for unrelated aggravated assault charges, now faces the most serious charge in connection to Audrii’s recent passing. Cunningham, who went missing last Thursday and prompted a large-scale search near Lake Livingston, was discovered deceased in the Trinity River on Tuesday afternoon.

Utilizing cell phone data, collected videos, and information provided by McDougal, law enforcement was able to pinpoint the location where Audrii’s body was found in the river, as per Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons. While details regarding which specific agency discovered the body were not disclosed by Sheriff Lyons, he emphasized the crucial role of the river authority in facilitating the search efforts. Sheriff Lyons commended the collaborative work of numerous agencies involved in the joint operation.

As the investigation continues, Sheriff Lyons refrained from divulging specifics about the circumstances of Audrii’s demise, including whether she was held elsewhere post McDougal’s actions, the timeline of events leading to her death, or the exact method used in causing her harm. An autopsy is currently underway to ascertain the precise cause of Audrii’s tragic passing.