Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera’s death ruled suicide by medical examiner
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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The Travis County Medical Examiner has determined that Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera died by suicide after falling from a tall building in Austin in November. This decision matches the findings of the police, but is forcefully objected by the young man’s family. The family’s lawyer called this conclusion “flawed.”
According to police, 19-year-old Aguilera died after falling from a high-rise apartment at around 1 a.m. on November 29, following a football match between Texas A&M and the University of Texas.
“Austin Police (APD) is aware that the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office has completed the final autopsy report on the death of Brianna Aguilera and has ruled it a suicide,” authorities said in a statement to the affiliate. FOX 7 Austin. “The investigation remains open and Austin Police will not provide any additional information until it is closed.”
Lawyers representing Aguilera’s family had previously claimed that Aguilera was murdered, despite the discovery of a suicide note and suicide messages allegedly sent to her friends on the night of her death.
Image provided by the family of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera, found dead in Austin in November. (GoFundMe)
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After the coroner’s findings were announced, Aguilera’s family’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, released a statement criticizing the investigation.
“Since Brianna Aguilera tragically passed away, there has been an outpouring of love and support for Brianna and her family. There has also been an overwhelming amount of criticism directed at authorities for their handling of the investigation into her death,” Buzbee wrote in a statement obtained by FOX 7. “Specifically, the Austin Police Department quickly concluded, without a legitimate investigation, that Brianna’s death was a suicide. This effort was far from what law enforcement expected.”
Brianna Aguilera died after falling from a high-rise apartment on November 29. (INSTAGRAM/brie.aguilera)
“For example, the Austin Police Department and those involved in the investigation failed to review phone records for Brianna and those directly associated with her or those at the scene,” he continued. “They were unable to interview all the witnesses, they were unable to obtain affidavits, they were unable to establish an accurate timeline, they were unable to secure video footage, and most importantly, they were unable to even follow up and interview the witnesses we identified for them.
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Buzbee called the coroner’s decision “expected” and claimed the finding was “made largely based on shoddy work by the Austin Police Department.”
“To be clear. The Austin Police Department’s ‘investigation’ was woefully inadequate,” he wrote. “Brianna deserved better. Her family deserves better.”
Buzbee Law Firm filed a lawsuit regarding Aguilera’s death on January 5.
Brianna Aguilera was found dead hours after attending a tailgate party. (Facebook/Brie Aguilera)
Lawyers said the legal process would allow them to put witnesses under oath, subpoena records and compel potential witnesses to cooperate.
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“We will do what the police and other authorities have failed to do,” Buzbee wrote. “We will conduct a full and comprehensive investigation and get the answers Brianna and her family deserve. The coroner’s flawed conclusion will not change anything.”
