Killing of Audrii Cunningham

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Killing of Audrii Cunningham
Location Livingston, Texas, United States
DateFebruary 15, 2024
Attack type
 Homicide, child murder
VictimAudrii Cunningham
Accused1
Charges Capital murder

On February 15, 2024, 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham (born February 5, 2013) [1] disappeared while traveling to her school bus stop in Livingston, Texas, United States. Her case gained national and significant media attention. [2] [3]

Contents

Her body was recovered on February 20 in the nearby Trinity River. [4] Don Steven McDougal, a 42-year-old family friend, was charged with murder in connection to her death.

Disappearance

On February 15, 2024, Cunningham was reported missing after she didn’t show up for the school bus. [5] Her backpack was found near to Lake Livingston. [6] An AMBER alert was issued for Cunningham. [7] Five days later, Cunningham's body was found in the Trinity River, Texas. [4]

Suspect

42-year-old Don Steven McDougal was taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault on February 16, the day after Cunningham's disappearance. [8] [9] After the discovery of her body, he was charged with murder. [8]

McDougal was a friend of Cunningham's father and lived in a trailer on their property. [8] He sometimes transported Audrii to the bus stop before her disappearance. [8] From 2003 until his arrest, the suspect incurred a lengthy criminal record in Texas, including charges of assault, theft, possession of methamphetamine, and child molestation. [8] [9] He was sentenced to two years in prison for the latter charge. [9] His latest sentence, two years in prison for unauthorized use of a vehicle, was completed in September 2022. [8] Before his arrest, he posted on Facebook, saying he was "not guilty". [8] [10] He is currently in custody without bail. [11]

Aftermath

An autopsy determined that Audrii died of blunt head trauma. [12] A memorial service was held for Cunningham on March 2. [13] On April 22, McDougal was indicted on two counts of capital murder. [14]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Alexander, Chloe (February 21, 2024). "Funeral services announced for Audrii Cunningham". KHOU 11.
  2. ↑ Thomas, Matt; Norris, Mark (February 20, 2024). "Audrii Cunningham's body found in Trinity River; person of interest Don Steven McDougal to be charged". Houston Public Media.
  3. ↑ Yancey-Bragg, N'dea (February 23, 2024). "Missing Texas girl Audrii Cunningham found dead: What to know about missing children cases". USA Today . Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Alund, Natalie Neysa; Encinas, Amaris (February 20, 2024). "Body of Audrii Cunningham found in a Texas river; man jailed on capital murder charge". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ↑ K. Li, David (February 20, 2024). "Cause of death determined for Audrii Cunningham, missing 11-year-old Texas girl". NBC News . Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  6. ↑ Figueroa, Fernanda (February 17, 2024). "Texas Amber Alert: 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham still missing, person of interest arrested". USA Today . Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ Simmerman, Alexis. "Texas Amber Alert issued for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham from Livingston". USA Today .
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rose, Andy; Wolfe, Elizabeth; Razek, Raja; Yan, Holly; Flores, Rosa; Weisfeldt, Sara (February 21, 2024). "Suspect in Audrii Cunningham's death is charged with capital murder after the girl's body was found in a river tied to a rock". CNN. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Alund, Natalie Neysa (February 21, 2024). "Suspect in Audrii Cunningham killing was previously accused of sex crime involving 10 year old". USA Today . Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  10. ↑ Sen, Sumanti (February 21, 2024). "Who is Don Steven McDougal? Suspect in Texas girl Audrii Cunningham's death has a lengthy rap sheet". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Audrii Cunningham found dead: Don Steven McDougal charged with capital murder". FOX 26 Houston. February 21, 2024. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  12. ↑ Simmerman, Alexis; Alund, Natalie Neysa (February 23, 2024). "Audrii Cunningham died from 'homicidal violence with blunt head trauma,' records show". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Missing Texas girl Audrii Cunningham remembered as "precious, gentle, kind" during memorial service". CBS. March 3, 2024. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Don Steven McDougal indicted in murder, attempted kidnapping of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham". CBS. April 23, 2024. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
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