In a tragic development, 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, missing from Texas, was found dead Tuesday afternoon. Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons confirmed that her body was recovered from the Trinity River near the US Highway 59 bridge in Livingston.

Sheriff Lyons, visibly emotional, pledged to thoroughly process evidence to ensure justice for Audrii. Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton stated that arrest warrants are being prepared for 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal in connection with her disappearance, with possible capital murder charges. McDougal, arrested Friday on unrelated aggravated assault charges, had been given multiple opportunities to cooperate with investigators. Lt. Craig Cummings of the Texas Department of Public Safety said McDougal was likely the last person to see Audrii.

Audrii failed to board her school bus on February 15, sparking a statewide Amber Alert the following day. McDougal, who lived in a camper behind Audrii’s home, sometimes escorted her to school when she missed the bus, according to her mother, Cassie Matthews. Authorities are piecing together McDougal’s movements on the morning of her disappearance, with Lyons noting that McDougal has agreed to show certain locations after his arrest.

A backpack found near the Livingston Dam is believed to belong to Audrii, adding urgency to the investigation. McDougal’s criminal history includes child enticement, assault, and evading arrest dating back to the early 2000s.

Investigators are asking the public to submit any footage from FM 3126 in Polk County between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on February 15 to help clarify events.

The community mourns the loss of Audrii Cunningham, while authorities continue their efforts to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking case.