Murder of Audrii Cunningham

On February 15, 2024, 11-year-old Audrii Danielle Cunningham (born February 5, 2013) was reported missing after she failed to show up at her school bus stop in Livingston, Texas. Her backpack was found near Lake Livingston, and an Amber Alert was issued for her. Five days later, on February 20, 2024, her body was recovered from the nearby Trinity River.

The day after Cunningham disappeared, 42-year-old Don McDougal was taken into custody on a charge of aggravated assault. McDougal was a friend of Cunningham's father and lived in a trailer on the family's property; he sometimes transported Audrii to the bus stop before her disappearance. Following the discovery of her body, McDougal was charged with murder. He was held without bail throughout the proceedings.

According to the case record, McDougal had accumulated a lengthy criminal history in Texas dating back to 2003, including charges of assault, theft, and possession of methamphetamine, as well as a child molestation charge that was pled down to "enticing a minor," a plea that allowed him to avoid placement on the sex offender registry; he was sentenced to two years in prison for that offense. His most recent prior sentence, two years for unauthorized use of a vehicle, was completed in September 2022. Before his arrest in this case, McDougal posted on Facebook stating he was "not guilty."

On April 22, 2024, McDougal was indicted on two counts of capital murder. An autopsy determined that Audrii died of blunt head trauma. A memorial service was held for her on March 2, 2024.

On January 17, 2025, Don McDougal pleaded guilty to Cunningham's murder and was automatically sentenced to life without parole.