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LIVINGSTON - A cause of death has been released for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, whose body was found in the Trinity River five days after she went missing. The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office reports that she died of blunt head trauma, which was caused by homicidal violence.
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Audrii Cunningham: Capital murder charges filed
Capital murder charges have been filed in the death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham and the Livingston community has been left heartbroken and still has many questions. FOX 26's Damali Keith has more details on the story.
Don Steven McDougal, 42, has been charged with capital murder in connection with her death and has been denied bond, according to jail records.
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Missing Audrii Cunningham: Person of interest knows family and last seen with girl
The search for the missing 11-year-old continues. A suspect confesses to leaving home with the 11-year-old on the day she disappeared.
MORE ABOUT THE SUSPECT: Criminal history of man facing charges in Audrii Cunningham's death
An Amber Alert was issued for Cunningham after she failed to board the school bus on Thursday morning and did not attend school.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham found dead in Trinity River
McDougal, considered a person of interest since Saturday, was taken into custody on Friday for an unrelated aggravated assault charge. He was known to the family, residing in a camper behind Cunningham's residence.
During a press briefing on Monday, Sheriff Byron Lyons revealed that McDougal admitted to leaving with Cunningham on Thursday morning but did not confirm if she reached the bus stop. McDougal is believed to be the last person to have seen her.
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Search efforts continue for Audrii Cunningham
Authorities continue search efforts for missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunnigham in Livingston.
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Following Cunningham's disappearance, extensive search efforts were launched near Lake Livingston and the Trinity River.
OVERVIEW: Timeline of Audrii Cunningham's disappearance
Tragically, on Tuesday, authorities located Cunningham's body in the Trinity River along US-59 near Livingston. McDougal's cellphone data, collected videos, and information aided in the discovery.
Based on the evidence, McDougal will face a capital murder charge, making him eligible for the death penalty. McDougal has a criminal history dating back to 2001, with charges ranging from theft to evading, including convictions for enticement of a child in 2008.