[Warning: Sensitive Content]
The family of a deceased college student is challenging the police’s conclusion about her death. They remain unconvinced that she died by suicide.
On November 29, 19-year-old Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera was found dead outside an apartment building shortly after attending a tailgate event for a football game against the University of Texas. Police reported that she lost her phone earlier that day and used a friend’s phone to call her boyfriend at approximately 12:43 a.m. The call lasted about a minute before she allegedly jumped from the 17th floor, resulting in her death.
Her mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, contacted the police when she couldn’t reach her daughter on Friday night. Brianna was discovered dead at around 1 a.m. the following day. Stephanie told People that authorities quickly informed her they believed Brianna’s death was a suicide. However, she disputes this, insisting her daughter was not suicidal and was eager to pursue a career in law. She told KSAT that she believes someone knows what happened, as there were 15 people in the building at the time. She also mentioned inconsistencies in the story and a conflict Brianna had with another girl before her death.
The Austin Police Department has concluded that Brianna’s death was a suicide. During a press conference, Sgt. Nathan Sexton stated that evidence, including a deleted suicide note on her phone, supported this conclusion. Det. Robert Marshall added that Brianna had previously expressed suicidal thoughts:
“Witness statements, video evidence, and digital evidence all indicated no criminal activity. Our investigation revealed Brianna had made suicidal comments to friends in October and exhibited self-harming behavior on the night of her death.”
The Aguilera family disagrees with the police findings. Their attorney, Tony Buzbee, told TMZ that they suspect foul play, suggesting the police mishandled the investigation. Buzbee claimed two witnesses heard a disturbance before Brianna’s death, including cries and a struggle.
“A witness heard ‘Get off of me!’ followed by a muffled cry near the apartment between 12:30 and 1 a.m.”
Buzbee also mentioned another witness who heard running and shouting. He criticized the police for not interviewing these witnesses and for labeling an essay found on Brianna’s phone as a suicide note:
“The investigator misinterpreted an essay as a suicide note. She wrote it four days before her death, which doesn’t support their conclusion.”
Buzbee emphasized that determining the cause of death is the medical examiner’s responsibility, not the police’s:
“The investigation was inadequate.”
Stephanie Rodriguez reiterated her belief that her daughter was not suicidal and called for the case to be reopened:
“I cannot accept the police’s conclusions without a thorough investigation. I urge them to do their job properly.”
Our thoughts are with Stephanie during this difficult time. Watch the press conference below:
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling, texting, or chatting at 988, or visit 988lifeline.org.
[Image via GoFundMe, KSAT 12/YouTube]
