After vanishing on her way to school, the body of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham was discovered in the Trinity River, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons confirmed.

The search came to a grim conclusion as authorities announced plans to prepare arrest warrants for Don Steven McDougal, 42, suspected of involvement in Audrii’s death, potentially facing a capital murder charge.

McDougal, already in custody for unrelated charges, has a criminal history marked by violent offenses, including enticing a child and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton emphasized the ongoing investigation, refraining from disclosing details about Audrii’s cause of death. McDougal’s participation in search efforts, combined with his past convictions, underscores the complexity of the case.

Despite claims of innocence on social media, McDougal’s credibility is called into question as authorities rely on cell phone data and video footage to piece together the tragic events leading to Audrii’s demise.

McDougal’s history of violent crimes, including convictions for enticing a child and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, sheds light on the severity of the situation. His involvement in the search for Audrii, followed by claims of innocence on social media, raises suspicion within the community.

The discovery of Audrii’s body marks a somber conclusion to the extensive search efforts and prompts reflection on the vulnerability of children in their own communities.