URGENT UPDATE: Austin police have confirmed that 19-year-old Brianna Aguilera, a Texas A&M University student, tragically died by suicide over the weekend. The incident occurred on November 29, 2025, when Aguilera fell from a 17th-floor balcony of a high-rise apartment complex in West Campus, Austin.
Authorities revealed that a suicide note was discovered on Aguilera’s phone, addressed to “specific people in her life.” This note was found in a deleted folder, raising concerns among her family about the thoroughness of the investigation. In a press conference held Thursday, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis emphasized the emotional turmoil surrounding the case, stating, “The truth doesn’t provide the answers we’re looking for, and that is this case.”
Witnesses reported seeing Aguilera at a football tailgate on Friday, where she was asked to leave around 10 p.m.. She subsequently entered a nearby wooded area, expressing to friends that she believed she had lost her phone. Police responded to the scene shortly after 12:46 a.m. on Saturday, where Aguilera was found with injuries consistent with a fall from a significant height. She was pronounced dead at 12:56 a.m. by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Family members are challenging the police’s conclusions. Aguilera’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, has publicly rejected the suicide ruling, asserting, “My daughter would never jump from such a height.” She described her daughter as someone who “loved life” and was excited about her future in law.
In the wake of the tragedy, Aguilera’s family has retained high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee to conduct an independent investigation. Rodriguez has expressed frustration over what she perceives as a lack of thoroughness in the police investigation, particularly regarding the preservation of the scene and witness interviews.
Detective Robert Marshall stated that every witness has been forthcoming, but further scrutiny arises as family members allege that critical investigative steps were overlooked. They question why Aguilera’s belongings were accessible to non-family members and why the apartment was not properly searched.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grieving the loss of a promising young woman. Aguilera was studying at The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M, aspiring to become a lawyer. Her tragic death has sparked discussions about mental health awareness and the importance of support for students.
Moving forward, the family seeks answers and justice, urging the public and authorities to reconsider the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident. The community continues to rally for Aguilera’s memory, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations in cases of such tragic losses.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
