{"id":1855,"date":"2024-02-21T22:48:35","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T22:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xstorynews.com\/?p=1855"},"modified":"2024-02-21T22:48:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T22:48:35","slug":"tragic-update-as-missing-11-year-old-audrii-cunningham-found-in-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xstorynews.com\/?p=1855","title":{"rendered":"Tragic update as missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham found in river"},"content":{"rendered":"

The body of missing Texas girl Audrii Cunningham<\/a> has been found, according to a tragic update given by authorities in Texas.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As per reports,<\/a> the 11-year-old\u2019s body was found in the Trinity River in Livingston, Pole County after a widespread search that began when she failed to show up for school on February 15.<\/p>\n

Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons confirmed the discovery of Audrii\u2019s body in a press conference yesterday, revealing that evidence was still being processed. \u201cWe will continue to process the evidence that has been gathered to ensure that there is justice for Audrii,\u201d Sheriff Lyons\u00a0said.<\/p>\n

The heartbreaking update comes after a backpack<\/a> (allegedly one that looks similar to a child\u2019s) was found near Lake Livingston Dam. Earlier this week Audrii\u2019s mother, Cassie Matthews, told Click 2 Houston<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is the stuff you see on TV where you can only imagine what the families and the parents are going through. Right now, I am empty.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Fox News<\/a>, the 11-year-old should have boarded her school bus on the morning of February 15, but never made it on the bus or to school that day.<\/p>\n

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Audrii Cunningham. Credit: Facebook.com \/ Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office TX, Sheriff Byron Lyons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A search operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies including the Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Texas Ranger Division, Department of Public Safety, Livingston Police Department, Texas State Guard, and local fire departments was launched, culminating in the discovery of Audrii\u2019s body yesterday.<\/p>\n

Polk Count District Attorney Shelly Sitton said yesterday that her office is now preparing arrest warrants for one Don Steven McDougal, a 42-year-old man who lived close to the young girl\u2019s family home.<\/p>\n

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McDougal was arrested on Friday on unrelated charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. At that time, authorities gave him \u201cseveral opportunities to cooperate\u201d with their investigation into Audrii\u2019s disappearance, explained Lt. Craig Cummings, with\u00a0the\u00a0Texas Department of Public Safety<\/a>\u00a0in Southeast Texas.<\/p>\n

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