AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Police Department is holding a news conference to discuss the death of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera.

The backstory:

Aguilera, who was from Laredo, was found unresponsive around 12:47 a.m. on Nov. 29 outside the 21 Rio Apartments near the University of Texas at Austin, according to APD. 

19-year-old Aguilera was pronounced dead at the scene about 10 minutes later. She had been in Austin for the Texas vs. Texas A&M football game.

Austin police have said there is no indication of suspicious or criminal circumstances and are treating the case as a death investigation, not a homicide. 

Detectives said the cause of death will be determined by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office.

What they’re saying:

Aguilera’s parents dispute that assessment. In a statement posted this week, the Buzbee Law Firm and Gamez Law Firm said they have been retained by Brianna’s parents, Manuel Aguilera and Stephanie Rodriguez, to “assist them in determining what happened to their daughter.”

“This is an unimaginable and very suspicious tragedy,” the firm wrote. “Brianna’s parents firmly believe there is much more information that needs to be discovered. They feel certain this was not an accident. This was certainly not a suicide.”

Rodriguez previously told KSAT that her daughter was afraid of heights and would not have jumped from a high floor. She also criticized detectives for what she described as a lack of thoroughness in the early stages of the investigation.

What’s next:

APD is holding a news conference this morning, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., to discuss Aguilera’s death.

The Buzbee Law Firm and Gamez Law Firm are expected to hold a news conference in Houston tomorrow at 1 p.m. to discuss the case as well.

Attorneys are also asking anyone with information about Aguilera’s whereabouts or activities on Nov. 28 to come forward.

The Austin Police Department has said detectives “continue to interview witnesses, gather evidence, and work carefully through the details of the incident,” and pledged to share new information as it becomes available. 

The Source: Information from Austin Police Department and previous FOX 7 Austin reporting.

AustinCrime and Public Safety