Texas girl Audrii Cunningham missing: Body found in Trinity River
LIVINGSTON, Texas - Texas officials have confirmed that previously missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham was found dead Tuesday afternoon.
Polk County Sheriff's Office says search crews located her body in the Trinity River on US Highway 59 near Livingston, Texas.
Polk County DA Shelly Sitton says that based on the evidence, an arrest warrant is in progress for Don Steven McDougal, 42. He faces a capital murder charge, which means he will be eligible for the death penalty.
McDougal was arrested on Friday for an unrelated Aggravated Assault charge.
Audrii Cunningham found dead: Don Steven McDougal charged with capital murder
Polk County officials say Cunningham's body is undergoing an autopsy to determine the cause of her death.
Law enforcement officials say cellphone analysis, videos collected during the investigation, and information from McDougal himself led to the discovery. Police claim they would have found her body even without information from McDougal.
Authorities would not answer if McDougal told them to lower the Trinity River levels to find her body. McDougal "had advised" that the location where she was found was somewhere he had been, though he didn't confirm that's where the body was, officials said in the press conference.
"If the evidence supports that", DA Sitton says they'll pursue the death penalty.
Livingston ISD released this statement following the news:
It is with tremendous sadness that I inform you of the death of our LISD 5th-grader, Audrii Cunningham. While the details of this tragedy are still unfolding, our hearts go out to the entire community during this heartbreaking loss.
Children will have varied reactions to the death of a classmate. Any reaction is normal in the grief process and can range from withdrawal to crying and anger. As adult caretakers, parents, and teachers, please offer support, encourage discussion, and listen to your children and students. If you see your child struggling, please call your campus office. We will put you in touch with a school counselor.
Please keep Audrii’s family, teachers, friends, and community in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve this tragic loss.
An Amber Alert was issued for Audrii on Thursday, February 15 when she didn't get on the school bus in her Livingston-area neighborhood and never made it to school. The Amber Alert for Cunningham was been discontinued.
RELATED: Don Steven McDougal: Criminal history of man facing charges in Audrii Cunningham's death
Audrii Cunningham murder suspect charged with Capital Murder
Polk County DA Shelly Sitton says that based on the evidence, an arrest warrant is in progress for Don Steven McDougal, 42. He faces a capital murder charge, which means he will be eligible for the death penalty. McDougal was arrested on Friday for an unrelated Aggravated Assault charge.
McDougal is the last person to be with the 11-year-old, according to officials. Our investigation into McDougal shows he has an extensive criminal history with multiple violent convictions.