Travis County Medical Examiner Rules Texas A&M Student Brianna Aguilera's Death a Suicide; Family Rejects Finding

The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office has concluded that 19-year-old Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera died by suicide after falling from a 17th-floor balcony at the 21 Rio apartment complex in Austin on Nov. 29, 2025, according to reports.

Details of the Ruling

The medical examiner determined Aguilera's cause of death to be blunt force trauma consistent with a fall from height. Local outlets KVUE-TV and the Austin American-Statesman reported that a full autopsy report was expected to be released by the medical examiner’s office on Feb. 13.

Police Timeline and Evidence

Austin police have publicly outlined a timeline in which witnesses and phone records show Aguilera placed a roughly one-minute call to her boyfriend at approximately 12:43–12:44 a.m., minutes before emergency responders were called to the scene. Investigators also reported finding a deleted digital note on Aguilera's phone dated Nov. 25 that they described as addressed to specific people in her life and consistent with suicidal ideation.

“In every investigation, we have to rely on the evidence, and all evidence in this case is indicative of suicide,” Sgt. Nathan Sexton said at a Dec. 4 news conference.

“Witnesses heard Brianna arguing on the phone with her boyfriend… Phones from both the phone Brianna used and the boyfriend's phone have confirmed through call logs that that call did occur,” Austin police lead homicide Detective Robert Marshall said.

Family Response and Legal Action

Aguilera’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, has publicly disputed the police and medical examiner’s conclusions. Rodriguez retained Houston attorney Tony Buzbee and filed a $1 million civil lawsuit related to her daughter’s death. She says she does not believe Brianna was suicidal and has called for the investigation to be reopened.

Brianna AguileraCourtesy of Stephanie Rodriguez

“My thoughts haven't changed… of course, they were going to rule it a suicide,” Rodriguez told PEOPLE, adding that the family wants roommates and others who were present that night to come forward.

Rodriguez has also commissioned an independent autopsy, which she says is in the hands of her attorney and will be compared with the official report once available.

Investigation Status and Next Steps

Austin police said they interviewed multiple witnesses — some more than once — to reconstruct events from that night. With the medical examiner’s ruling publicly recorded and the family's legal challenge underway, the circumstances surrounding Aguilera's death remain contested pending the release of the full autopsy and any additional testimony or evidence.

Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide and may be distressing. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact emergency services or a crisis line in your area. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for immediate help.

Sources: PEOPLE, KVUE-TV, Austin American-Statesman, Austin Police Department statements.