Current:Home > InvestAudrii Cunningham died from 'homicidal violence with blunt head trauma,' records show -MoneyStream
Audrii Cunningham died from 'homicidal violence with blunt head trauma,' records show
View
Date:2025-04-13 15:31:53
Audrii Cunningham, the 11-year-old missing Texas girl found dead in a river this week died as a result of "homicidal violence with blunt head trauma," according to records obtained by USA TODAY Friday.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Science reported Audrii's body was found in the Trinity River in the city of Shepherd located in San Jacinto County Texas.
Shepherd is about 17 miles south of Livingston in Polk County where the girl disappeared from her lakeside home the day after Valentine's Day. A portion of the Trinity River begins at Lake Livingston and flows south to Trinity Bay where it empties in the Gulf of Mexico.
On Tuesday, Polk County Sheriff' Byron Lyons announced divers found Audrii's body in the river along U.S. Highway 59 after the River Authority lowered the river water levels.
Autopsy was conducted Wednesday
The medical examiner's office listed her date of death as Feb. 20, the day her body was recovered from the water.
A spokesperson for the office told USA TODAY via email Audrii's autopsy was conducted Wednesday.
Although official autopsy and toxicology reports were still pending Friday, the spokesperson said the coroner determined Audrii's manner of death to be homicide.
McDougal's violent criminal history:Suspect in Audrii Cunningham killing was previously accused of sex crime involving 10 year old
Don McDougal remains jailed on capital murder
Don Steven McDougal, 42, remained jailed in Polk County Friday without bond on a capital murder charge in connection to Audrii's death, online records showed.
Law enforcement said they were able to zero in on the location of Audrii's body using cellphone records, videos and information they received from McDougal, the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.
The Livingston girl was initially reported missing on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 15, when she did not get on the school bus or report to school.
Audrii Cunningham case timeline:From her disappearance to suspect's arrest
What is homicidal violence?
The state of Texas uses two definitions for criminal homicide:
- A person commits criminal homicide if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence causes the death of an individual.
- Criminal homicide is murder, capital murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- 'Devastation is absolutely heartbreaking' from Southern California wildfire
- 'SNL' stars jokingly declare support for Trump, Dana Carvey plays Elon Musk
- Kelly Rowland and Nelly Reunite for Iconic Performance of Dilemma 2 Decades Later
- Sam Taylor
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
- 2025 NFL Draft order: Updated first round picks after Week 10 games
- NASCAR Championship race live updates, how to watch: Cup title on the line at Phoenix
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Lane Kiffin puts heat on CFP bracket after Ole Miss pounds Georgia. So, who's left out?
- Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier
- Joey Logano wins Phoenix finale for 3rd NASCAR Cup championship in 1-2 finish for Team Penske
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Elon Musk says 'SNL' is 'so mad' Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey's impression
- Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here’s how and why
- A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
Recommendation
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
Unexpected pairing: New documentary tells a heartwarming story between Vietnam enemies
Sister Wives’ Janelle Brown Alleges Ex Kody Made False Claims About Family’s Finances
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
1 monkey captured, 42 monkeys still on the loose after escaping research facility in SC
Joey Logano wins Phoenix finale for 3rd NASCAR Cup championship in 1-2 finish for Team Penske
Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’