Grand jury indicts Audrii Cunningham's accused killer on capital murder charges

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Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Grand jury indicts suspect in Audrii Cunningham's death
Audrii Cunningham's alleged killer's case has entered its next phase, as a grand jury has formally charged him with capital murder in her death.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A grand jury has formally charged Don McDougal on two counts of capital murder in connection with 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham's death.

Documents show McDougal's indictment was filed on Tuesday, April 22.

Audrii was reported missing after not boarding her neighborhood school bus in Livingston in February, sparking an intense search.

SEE ALSO: Video shows Audrii Cunningham murder suspect, Don Steven McDougal, naked during arraignment

Her body was found in the Trinity River about a week after she was reported missing. The medical examiner's office said Audrii died from homicidal violence, including blunt head trauma, but officials did not provide further information.

McDougal was first named as a primary person of interest in the case and later a suspect in the young girl's murder. Authorities said McDougal was a friend of Audrii's father and allowed to live in a trailer behind their home in Livingston.

SEE ALSO: Previous child victim of man charged in Audrii Cunningham's murder says system failed her and Audrii

At that time, McDougal was already in custody on an unrelated aggravated assault with a deadly weapon change.

So far, no court date has been set.