Don McDougal pleads guilty to murdering Audrii Cunningham

Don Steven McDougal has pleaded guilty to the murder of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Audrii went missing in February 2024, and her body was later found in the Trinity River, leading to McDougal's arrest. The Polk County District Attorney’s Office stated that the death penalty was not pursued due to McDougal's documented intellectual and developmental disabilities. Community members have expressed disappointment with the plea deal, emphasizing a desire for justice for Audrii. The case has sparked discussions around the legal limitations on capital punishment in Texas. Audrii's family and community continue to remember her while advocating for changes in the law.