Why Texas A&M University Student’s Mysterious Death Was Ruled a Suicide

The death of 19-year-old Texas A&M sophomore Brianna Aguilera has shaken two cities and stirred a wave of questions that still hang in the air. She was in Austin for the long-awaited Texas A&M vs. University of Texas game, a significant event that draws huge crowds and all kinds of tailgate parties. Friends say Brianna went out that Friday night, excited to enjoy the game weekend.

Police say the night took a sharp turn once she became intoxicated and was asked to leave the tailgate around 10 p.m.

What happened after she left is the part her family cannot accept. Cameras tracked her arrival at an apartment complex, which occurred a little after 11 p.m., where she proceeded to a unit on the 17th floor. A group of friends left about an hour later, leaving Brianna with three young women who stayed behind. Police say Brianna had a short and tense call with her boyfriend minutes before officers responded to an emergency call. She was found outside the building with fatal injuries. Paramedics declared her dead at the scene.

The Austin Police Department held a rare news conference to present its findings. They said they usually do not publicly discuss cases ruled as suicides, but the level of attention and speculation around Brianna’s death pushed them to speak. Detectives said they approached the case as a possible crime until evidence pointed them in another direction.

GTN / Investigators say they found a “deleted digital suicide note” on Brianna’s phone dated November 25. They also said friends reported that she had made comments about suicide starting in October.

Police added that Brianna sent a message to a friend the night she died that described suicidal thinking. According to detectives, these factors shaped their final ruling and led them to close the case from a criminal standpoint.

Austin Police Detective Robert Marshall told reporters that every friend and witness had been open during interviews. He emphasized that investigators found no sign of foul play at any point. Police Chief Lisa Davis addressed the tension directly in the case. She said she understood why Brianna’s family was distraught, and she acknowledged that the outcome does not offer the comfort anyone hoped for.

However, Brianna’s family entirely rejects the suicide ruling. To them, the story the police presented does not match the daughter they knew. Her mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, said Brianna was upbeat and ambitious, planning a career in law. She told reporters that her daughter would never have taken her own life and believes someone else is responsible.

She said calling it suicide is “insane” and has repeatedly urged investigators to keep pushing for answers.

The News / The family’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, echoed that frustration. He said the police announcement only raises more questions and insisted the case is far from settled.

In his statement following the news conference, he said the investigation will remain open as long as the family believes it should. He also shared that they plan to continue pressing for more information, additional interviews, and a more thorough review of the timeline from that night.

Support for the family has poured in from the Texas A&M community and beyond. A GoFundMe created to help with funeral expenses quickly surpassed its goal. The page describes Brianna as a hard-working student and a seasoned cheerleader who was just one year away from earning her Aggie ring, a milestone many students dream about.