Candlelight vigil held for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in Livingston - February 22, 2024

LIVINGSTON, Texas (KTRE) - Wednesday night, the community of Livingston lit candles to remember the light that was Audrii Cunningham. The 11-year-old girl never made it to her bus stop on February 15. Sadly, her body was found in the Trinity River, after an extensive search by law enforcement and the community. “It’s hard, especially when your baby comes home and says, momma did they find her,” says a friend of the family. The main suspect in the death of Audrii, Don Steven McDougal, has been charged with Capital Murder. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the exact cause of Audrii’s death, but the candles lit tonight signify the lives she touched. “People from out of town that I met today at the bridge, leaving balloons. It affected everybody, Audrii is missed. She had a smile, oh my God,” says a friend of the family. Audrii was a 5th grade student at Livingston ISD. Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins says she lit up the lives of her teachers and classmates with just her smile. “When I look into the eyes of our staff and students, I know the impact that she made because I can see the pain,” says Hawkins. Livingston ISD released a statement following the announcement of Audrii’s death, saying they are heartbroken, and offered counseling to those who need it.