Audrii Cunningham Obituary, and Death: Missing Texas Girl Body Found Dead!
The tragic death of Audrii Cunningham, an 11-year-old girl from Texas who went missing last week, has shocked and saddened the nation. Her body was found in the Trinity River on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, after a massive search effort by authorities and volunteers. A suspect, Don Steven McDougal, a friend of her father who lived on their property, has been arrested and charged with capital murder.
What happened to Audrii Cunningham?
Audrii Cunningham was last seen alive on Thursday, February 15, 2024, when she left her home in Livingston, Polk County, to catch the school bus. She never made it to the bus stop or to school that day. Her family reported her missing later that afternoon, when she did not return home.
An Amber Alert was issued for the 4-foot-1 child with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing black pants, a black hoodie with white lettering and black tennis shoes on Thursday. The alert described her as being in grave or immediate danger.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the FBI, and other agencies joined forces to investigate her disappearance and search for her. They also received help from hundreds of volunteers, who combed the area around her home, the nearby Lake Livingston, and the Trinity River.
On Friday, February 16, 2024, a backpack that authorities believe belonged to Audrii was found near the dam on Lake Livingston, one of the state’s largest lakes. The Trinity River feeds into the lake. This discovery raised fears that she might have fallen into the water or been thrown there by someone.
On the same day, authorities arrested Don Steven McDougal, 42, on an unrelated assault charge. McDougal was a friend of her father and lived in a camper on the family’s property. He had occasionally taken Audrii to the bus stop or to school in the past. He was named as a person of interest in the case and questioned by investigators.
On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, divers recovered the body of Audrii Cunningham from the Trinity River, about 10 miles from her home. The body was identified by her family and taken to the Harris County medical examiner’s office in Houston to determine the cause and manner of death.
Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons announced that McDougal would be charged with capital murder in connection with Audrii’s death. He said that there was “substantial evidence” in the case, and that cell phone data, social media imagery, and information from the suspect led them to the body. He also thanked the Trinity River Authority for lowering the water levels on the river, which facilitated the search.
“My heart aches with this news,” Lyons said at a press conference.
Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton said that they would file a case against McDougal “based on all the evidence”. She said that they did not yet know if they would seek the death penalty in the case.
Quick Info
| Name | Audrii Cunningham |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | Unknown |
| Age | 11 |
| Height | 4 feet 9 inches |
| Weight | 80 pounds |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Ethnicity | Unknown |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Parents | Cassie Matthews |
| Missing since | February 15, 2024 Now Dead A so 21st February 2024 |
| Last seen | Near her home on Lakeside Drive, Livingston, Texas |
| Backpack found | Near the Lake Livingston Dam |
| Links | Instagram- #audriicunningham Homepage- Newsunzip |
Who was Audrii Cunningham?
Audrii Cunningham was a fifth-grader at Livingston Intermediate School. She was described by her family, friends, and teachers as a sweet, smart, and cheerful girl who loved animals, music, and reading. She had a bright smile and a bubbly personality that touched everyone who knew her.
“She was a very happy child. She loved to laugh. She loved to make people laugh. She was very outgoing,” her aunt, Jennifer Cunningham, told NBC News.
“She was very intelligent. She loved to read. She loved to write. She loved to draw. She loved animals. She had a pet rabbit that she adored,” she added.
Her school principal, Dr. Brent Hawkins, said that Audrii was a model student who excelled academically and socially. He said that she was always eager to learn and participate in class activities. He said that she had many friends and was well-liked by her peers and teachers.
“Audrii was a joy to have on our campus. She was always smiling and always had a positive attitude. She was a leader in her classroom and a role model for other students,” he said in a statement.
Her family said that she had dreams of becoming a veterinarian or a singer when she grew up. They said that she was a loving daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
“She was our sunshine. She was our everything. She was the light of our lives,” her aunt said.
Who is Don Steven McDougal?
Don Steven McDougal is a 42-year-old man who lived in a camper on the property of her father, Steven Cunningham. He was a friend of Steven and had known Audrii since she was a baby. He sometimes helped the family with chores and errands, and occasionally took her to the bus stop or to school.
According to authorities, McDougal is the prime suspect in Audrii’s disappearance and death. He was arrested on Friday, February 16, 2024, on an unrelated assault charge, and has been in custody ever since. He has not yet entered a plea or hired a lawyer.
McDougal has a criminal history that includes two felony counts of enticing a child stemming from a 2007 incident in Brazoria County, south of Houston. He pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to two years in prison, according to court records.
Authorities have not revealed the motive or the method of Audrii’s killing, or how McDougal became a person of interest in the case. They have said that they are still investigating the case and collecting evidence.
How are people reacting to Audrii’s death?
Audrii’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief, anger, and disbelief among her family, friends, and community. Many people have expressed their condolences and support for the Cunningham family, and have demanded justice for Audrii.
A candlelight vigil was held on Tuesday night, February 20, 2024, at the Livingston Junior High School, where hundreds of people gathered to honor Cunningham’s memory and pray for her family. They lit candles, sang songs, and shared stories about Audrii. They also released balloons and lanterns into the sky, and held signs that read “Justice for Audrii” and “Fly High Audrii”.
Her aunt, Jennifer Cunningham, thanked everyone who came to the vigil and who helped in the search for Audrii. She said that the family was devastated by Cunningham’s death, but also grateful for the love and support they have received.
“We are broken. We are shattered. We are numb. But we are also overwhelmed by the kindness and the generosity and the compassion that we have seen from this community and from people all over the country,” she said.
She also urged people to remember Audrii as a happy and beautiful girl who brought joy to everyone.
“Please don’t let this tragedy define her. Please don’t let this evil overshadow her light. Please remember her as the sweet, smart, funny, talented, amazing girl that she was,” she said.
Audrii’s school district, Livingston Independent School District, also issued a statement expressing their sorrow and offering their assistance to the students and staff who are grieving.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our own. Audrii was a beloved member of our school family and we will miss her dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time,” the statement read.
The district said that they have provided counselors and other resources to help the students and staff cope with the tragedy. They also said that they will cooperate with the authorities in their investigation.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We will work closely with the law enforcement agencies and the community to seek justice for Audrii and to prevent such tragedies from happening again,” the statement read.
What can you do to help Audrii’s family?
Audrii’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her funeral expenses and other needs. The page has raised over $30,000 as of Wednesday, February 21, 2024, surpassing its original goal of $10,000. The page also features photos and videos of Audrii, and messages of sympathy and support from donors
