This article includes discussions on suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The Travis County Medical Examiner has declared the death of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera as a suicide following her fall from an Austin high-rise in November. This conclusion supports the police’s findings but has been strongly contested by Aguilera’s family. Their attorney has described the ruling as “flawed.”
At the age of 19, Aguilera tragically fell from a high-rise apartment building shortly after attending a Texas A&M vs. University of Texas football tailgate. The incident happened around 1 a.m. on November 29, as per police reports.
“The Austin Police Department (APD) acknowledges the final autopsy report from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, which classifies Brianna Aguilera’s death as a suicide,” authorities stated in a message to FOX 7 Austin. “The investigation is still active, and until it concludes, no further details will be disclosed by the Austin Police.”
Despite the existence of a purported suicide note and text messages indicating suicidal thoughts sent to friends on the night of her death, Aguilera’s family lawyers have alleged that she was murdered.
Brianna Aguilera, a student at Texas A&M, was discovered deceased in Austin last November. (GoFundMe)
After the release of the medical examiner’s findings, Tony Buzbee, the attorney for Aguilera’s family, issued a statement criticizing the investigation.
“Since Brianna Aguilera tragically lost her life, there has been an overwhelming amount of love and support for Brianna and her family. There has also been an overwhelming amount of criticism concerning the authorities for their handling of the investigation surrounding her death,” Buzbee wrote in the statement, obtained by FOX 7.
“Specifically, the Austin Police Department, without a legitimate investigation, quickly concluded that Brianna’s death was a suicide. This effort was far from what’s expected of law enforcement.
Brianna Aguilera died after falling from a high-rise apartment Nov. 29. (Instagram/brie.aguilera)
“As an example, the Austin Police Department and those involved in the investigation failed to review phone records of Brianna and those immediately connected to her or those at the scene,” he continued.
“They failed to interview all witnesses, failed to take statements under oath, failed to put together an accurate timeline, failed to secure video footage, and, most importantly, failed to follow through and interview witnesses, even the ones that we identified for them.”
Buzbee described the medical examiner’s ruling as “expected,” alleging the finding was “made in large part based on the shoddy work of the Austin Police Department.”
“To be clear. The Austin Police Department’s ‘investigation’ fell woefully short,” he wrote. “Brianna deserved better. Her family deserves better.”
The Buzbee Law Firm filed a lawsuit Jan. 5 related to Aguilera’s death.
Brianna Aguilera was found dead hours after attending a tailgate party. (Facebook/Brie Aguilera)
Attorneys said the legal action will allow the family to put witnesses under oath, subpoena records and compel cooperation of potential witnesses.
“We will do what the police and other authorities have failed to do,” Buzbee wrote. “We will perform a complete and thorough investigation and get the answers that Brianna and her family deserves. The medical examiner’s flawed conclusion changes nothing.”
