Authorities in Texas announced on Tuesday that the body of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who had been missing, was found in the Trinity River. This discovery led to the arrest of Don Steven McDougal, 42, who was already in custody for an unrelated matter. McDougal will now face charges of capital murder in connection with Audrii's death, as confirmed by Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton during a press briefing.
The decision to charge McDougal was made based on a compilation of evidence, according to Sitton. Sheriff Byron Lyons explained that information provided by the suspect, as well as data from cellphones and social media imagery submitted by the public, helped locate the body along Highway 59 in the county. To aid divers in their search, a local water authority had reduced the river's water level. The medical examiner is currently examining Audrii's body to determine the exact cause and manner of her death.
Audrii was last seen leaving her home in Polk County on Thursday morning to catch her school bus but never made it to the bus or school. Despite the issuance of an Amber Alert for the 4-foot-1 child with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing black pants, a black hoodie with white lettering, and black tennis shoes, she remained missing until her body was found.
McDougal, who resides in a trailer behind Audrii's home and is considered a family friend, had occasionally assisted in taking the girl to the bus stop or school, officials disclosed. When he was apprehended on Friday for suspected aggravated assault in an unrelated incident, McDougal was already considered "one of the persons of interest" in Audrii's case.
The discovery of a small children's backpack near the Lake Livingston Dam, close to the Cunningham family home, further deepened the mystery, as the Trinity River flows into the lake.
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