Steven McDougal, a man charged with capital murder in the death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, has been linked to previous criminal incidents. Court documents reveal that McDougal was accused of stabbing a man in Livingston six months prior to his arrest for capital murder. The victim’s attorney, David Feldman, recounts the incident, stating that McDougal ambushed and stabbed his client after a woman knocked on his door, claiming her car had broken down. Feldman explains that his client reported McDougal as the attacker to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office multiple times, starting in September of 2023.
Despite these reports, McDougal was not arrested until recently when his connection to Audrii’s disappearance led to further investigation. Feldman shares that McDougal was charged with the August stabbing a few hours after being questioned about Audrii’s case. During the interrogation, McDougal confessed to the stabbing.
Since McDougal’s arrest, more victims and witnesses have come forward, shedding light on his alleged criminal activities. Katelyn Bolin, a former friend of McDougal, recounts an incident in 2019 when he beat her ex-boyfriend with a metal pipe. Bolin explains that McDougal asked them for a ride, promising gas money and claiming he needed to go to a friend’s house before work the next day. However, upon arriving at a remote location near Dayton, things took a disturbing turn. Bolin describes how McDougal instructed her ex-boyfriend to pull over to an empty driveway and then attacked him with a metal pipe.
Panicked, Bolin called 911 after finding her phone hidden in the back seat by McDougal. She recalls McDougal attempting to make her hang up the call but refusing to do so. McDougal eventually fled into the woods and managed to steal a car before being apprehended by the police. Bolin admits that she is unsure of McDougal’s motive that night.
When asked why she chose to speak out following Audrii’s tragic death, Bolin emphasizes the importance of being cautious about the people one associates with, especially when it comes to children. She warns that individuals can present themselves as friendly and trustworthy but may possess a dark side hidden from others.
Currently, McDougal is being held without bond in the Polk County Jail for his capital murder charge. The growing number of victims and witnesses coming forward underscores the need for a thorough investigation into McDougal’s alleged crimes. As the case unfolds, more details are sure to emerge, shedding light on the extent of McDougal’s criminal activities and the impact they have had on his victims and their loved ones.
