Audrii Cunningham Parents: Meet Mother Cassie Matthews, Father & Family of Livingston Missing Girl
Audrii Cunningham, an 11-year-old girl from Livingston, Texas, has been missing since February 15, 2024, when she left her home to catch the school bus. Her disappearance has sparked a massive search effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, volunteers, and the FBI. As the investigation continues, many people are wondering about Audrii’s parents and family, who are desperately hoping for her safe return. Here is what we know about them so far.
Audrii’s Mother: Cassie Matthews
Cassie Matthews is Audrii Cunningham‘s mother, who lives in Houston, about 70 miles southwest of Livingston. She has been very vocal and active in the media, pleading for her daughter’s safe return and sharing information about the search. She has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the search efforts and to support Audrii’s family.
Matthews said that she is a loving, smart, and adventurous girl who likes to explore the woods and look at animals. She said that Audrii has a lot of opportunities ahead of her and deserves to reach them. She also said that Cunningham has a lot of family and friends who love and adore her.
Matthews said that she last spoke to Audrii on February 14, 2024, the day before she went missing. She said that they had a normal conversation and that she seemed happy and excited about Valentine’s Day. She said that she had no idea that anything was wrong until she got a call from her school on February 15, 2024, saying that Cunningham never showed up.
Matthews said that she immediately contacted Audrii’s father and grandmother, who live with Audrii in Livingston, and they reported her missing to the police. She said that she drove to Livingston as soon as she could and joined the search for her daughter.
Matthews said that she is not going to be the same unless her daughter is returned to her. She said that she is feeling a roller coaster of emotions, including anger, sadness, and emptiness. She said that she is praying for a miracle and that she will never give up hope.
Audrii Cunningham Quick Info
| Name | Audrii Cunningham |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | Unknown |
| Age | 11 |
| Height | 4 feet 9 inches |
| Weight | 80 pounds |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Ethnicity | Unknown |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Parents | Cassie Matthews |
| Siblings | A brother and a sister |
| Grandmother | Name not released |
| Missing since | February 15, 2024 |
| Last seen | Near her home on Lakeside Drive, Livingston, Texas |
| Person of interest | James McDougal |
| Backpack found | Near the Lake Livingston Dam |
| Links | Instagram- #audriicunningham |
Audrii’s Father
About Audrii’s father, who lives with her and his mother in a house on Lakeside Drive, near Lake Livingston. He has not spoken to the media as much as Matthews, but he has been cooperating with the authorities and participating in the search for his daughter.
Cunningham said that he dropped off Audrii at her bus stop around 7 a.m. on February 15, 2024, and that she was carrying a bright red “Hello Kitty” backpack. He said that he did not see her get on the bus, but he assumed that she did. He said that he did not realize that she was missing until he got a call from her school around 5:30 p.m., saying that she never arrived.
Cunningham said that he searched the area around his home, which leads to a state park, thinking that she might have wandered off into the woods. He said that he also checked with Audrii’s friends and neighbors, but no one had seen her. He said that he then called the police and reported her missing.
Cunningham said that he is devastated and worried about his daughter. He said that he loves her more than anything and that he wants her back home. He said that he is grateful for the support and help from the community and the authorities. He said that he is hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.
Livingston, Texas | Police asking the public to check for video along FM3126 Highway from Feb 15 between the hours of 6:30 am and 8:00.
— Ｎｅｒｄｙ 🅰🅳🅳🅸🅲🆃 (@Nerdy_Addict) February 20, 2024
Reward increased to $10,000 after the 11-year-old left for school but never arrived.
Person of interest in custody. #AudriiCunningham pic.twitter.com/yKREjHumT7
Audrii’s Family: Grandmother and Siblings
Audrii’s grandmother, whose name has not been released, lives with Audrii and her father in Livingston. She has not spoken to the media, but she has been involved in the search for her granddaughter. She has also been taking care of Audrii’s two younger siblings, a brother and a sister, who are staying with her.
According to Matthews, Audrii Cunningham’s grandmother is very close to Cunningham and often takes her to school and picks her up. She said that her grandmother is heartbroken and scared for Audrii. She said that her grandmother is also worried about her siblings, who are missing their sister and do not understand what is going on.
Matthews said that Audrii’s brother and sister are 8 and 6 years old, respectively. She said that they are very sweet and smart kids who love their sister. She said that they are confused and sad about Audrii’s disappearance. She said that they are asking a lot of questions and hoping for her to come back.
A Person of Interest: James McDougal
One of the main leads in the investigation of Audrii Cunningham’s disappearance is James McDougal, a 42-year-old man who was arrested on February 16, 2024, on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that McDougal is one of the persons of interest involved in the case and that his dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban was involved.
According to Matthews, McDougal is an acquaintance of Audrii’s father and had been staying on their property and providing occasional childcare services for her . She said that she did not know McDougal well and that she did not trust him. She said that she had warned Cunningham’s father about McDougal and that she did not want him around Audrii.
Matthews said that she believes that McDougal knows something about Audrii’s disappearance and that he is not telling the truth. She said that she hopes that the authorities will get the answers from him and find her . She said that she wants justice for her daughter and that she wants McDougal to pay for what he did.
A Backpack Near the Dam
Another clue in the case is a small backpack that was found near the Lake Livingston Dam on February 16, 2024. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that the backpack likely belonged to a child and that it was being examined for evidence. The sheriff’s office did not confirm if the backpack belonged to Audrii, but it said that the area around the dam was a location of interest in the search.
The Lake Livingston Dam is about 10 miles south of Audrii Cunningham’s home and is part of a large reservoir that provides water for Houston and other East Texas cities. The dam is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and camping. The sheriff’s office said that it was searching the area with the help of the Texas State Guard, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The sheriff’s office said that the search for her remains active and ongoing and that it is following every lead and tip. The sheriff’s office also said that it is working closely with the FBI, which has provided resources and expertise in the case. The sheriff’s office said that it is doing everything possible to find Audrii and bring her home safely.
A Community in Shock and Support
Her disappearance has shocked and saddened the community of Livingston, a small town of about 5,000 people. Many residents have joined the search for her, offering their time, vehicles, and equipment. Others have shown their support by donating money, food, water, and supplies to the search teams and Audrii’s family. Some have also organized prayer vigils and rallies for Audrii.
Residents of Livingston show their support for Audrii Cunningham and her family on February 18, 2024. (Source: [KTRK])
The community has also displayed signs, banners, and ribbons with Audrii’s name and picture, hoping to raise awareness and keep her in the public eye. Many have also shared her information on social media, urging anyone with information to contact the authorities. Some have also expressed their frustration and anger at the lack of progress and answers in the case.
The community has also been sending messages of hope and love to her family, assuring them that they are not alone and that they are praying for them. Many have also said that they will not give up on Audrii and that they will keep looking for her until she is found.
