Austin, TX – The family of Brianna Aguilera, a Texas A&M student found dead in West Campus Saturday morning, is calling for the Texas Rangers to investigate her death, alleging the Austin Police Department (APD) prematurely concluded the case as a suicide and mishandled the investigation. Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the family, stated APD “jumped to conclusions within hours” and should be disqualified from further investigation, requesting a new investigator be assigned.
Aguilera was found unresponsive outside the 21 rio apartments around 12:56 a.m. Saturday and pronounced dead at the scene, according to APD.
The family claims APD failed to adequately notify them about Thursday’s police press conference,stating only two emails were sent without accompanying phone calls or texts. They also allege APD overstepped the authority of the Travis County Medical Examiner by publicly determining the death a suicide.
APD responded Friday with a statement asserting it stands by the details released Thursday and maintains it has not determined the cause or manner of death.”The Travis County Medical Examiner determines the cause and manner of death… Our role is to conduct an investigation and follow the evidence. This investigation remains open, and at no point has APD stated otherwise,” the statement read. APD acknowledged the “immense pain” felt by Aguilera’s loved ones and cautioned that “misinformation… harms innocent people and jeopardizes the integrity of the investigative process.”
KXAN contacted the Texas Department of Public Safety regarding a potential Texas Rangers investigation. As of Friday,the Texas Rangers had not received a request related to the case.
Brianna Aguilera’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, attended a press conference and stated, “She was not suicidal,” adding, “But I cannot deal with you doing a news conference and saying false things about my child without a thorough investigation.”
At Thursday’s press conference, APD stated there was no evidence of foul play and that evidence suggested suicide. Detective Marshall reported Aguilera was found with injuries “consistent with a fall from a higher floor.”
