Missing 11-year-old Texas girl, found dead in river

The tragic discovery of the body of an 11-year-old Texas girl, who had been missing for days, has left a community in mourning. The young girl was found dead in a river, sparking shock and sadness among residents and authorities alike.

The search for the missing girl had gripped the town as volunteers and law enforcement officers scoured the area for any sign of her. When her body was finally located in the river, hopes of a happy ending were dashed, replaced by heartbreak and sorrow.

Don Steven McDougal, 42, in custody on an unrelated manner, will be charged with capital murder in connection with her death, Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton said at a news conference.

A case will be filed "based on all the evidence," she said.

Sheriff Byron Lyons said information from the suspect, cellphone data and social media imagery sent in by citizens led them to the body off Highway 59 in the county.

A local water authority lowered the water level of the river to assist divers in their search, the sheriff said. Her body was with a medical examiner, who would determine an exact cause and manner of death, he said.

“Based on all of the evidence that law enforcement has collected, they are in the process of preparing the appropriate arrest warrants,” Sitton said. “At this time, we believe the appropriate arrest warrant is going to be for capital murder in the death of Audrii Cunningham. He is still in jail under an unrelated felony charge.”

When asked by reporters how Audrii was killed, Sitton said, “I cannot speak to that.”

McDougal, a friend of Audrii’s father, gave investigators a list of places he had been to, but didn’t divulge where her body was, according to the sheriff. Lyons added authorities also used cell phone data and video to help find her remains.

A cause of death was not released, but authorities said they had enough evidence to bring a murder charge and are preparing to file a warrant. The Harris County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy.

On Monday, the Polk County Sheriff told reporters McDougal was the last person to see Audrii alive. Authorities also revealed that, while being generally uncooperative with detectives, McDougal had led them to several sites around the lake. Shortly after Audrii's disappearance, a backpack later confirmed to be hers was found near the lake.

Read more

 Sarah H

Also on site :

• Dr Jack Mosley: What you need to know about weight loss jabs and how to make them work most effectively
• Is our skin more susceptible to sun damage as we age?
• Audiologist reveals why you should be wearing earplugs at music concerts and festivals