Buzbee claims in the lawsuit that Brianna — a minor — was overserved the day she died.
HOUSTON — We have a big update regarding the death of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera. Brianna died after falling from the 17th floor of an Austin apartment after attending the Texas A&M-Texas football game in November.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced he was representing Brianna’s parents, Stephanie Rodriguez and Manuel Aguilera, in a lawsuit against Austin Blacks Rugby and the UT Latin Economics and Business Association.
The allegations in the lawsuit are that Brianna – a minor – was overserved while tailgating. Buzbee said other minors were also overserved.
We have reached out to Austin Blacks Rugby and UT Latin Economics and Business Association for comment. As soon as we have a response, we will let you know.
“By filing this lawsuit, we will not only hold one or more entities involved in the over-bondage of Brianna and other minors accountable, but we will also be able to subpoena individuals and documents, videos and data so that we can continue our investigation,” Buzbee said. “We will be able to compel witnesses so that we can question them whether they want to or not.”
At the press conference, Buzbee also said again that the Austin Police Department’s investigation was lacking and that a witness said she was nearby and heard what was happening in the unit Brianna was in, but that Austin Police never requested a statement or interview. We are also reaching out to the Austin Police Department for comment.
This is a developing story. We will post updates as we receive them.
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Below is an earlier report on the death of Brianna Aguilera.
Family rejects police findings
On December 19, Aguilera’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, publicly requested a new investigation and a second autopsy, saying she did not believe her daughter committed suicide.
“She was not suicidal,” Rodriguez said at a news conference alongside Buzbee.
She said she rejected police statements suggesting the evidence pointed to suicide.
“My daughter was not suicidal,” Rodriguez said. “I know my daughter better than anyone. We’ve spoken every day. I can’t stand you jumping to conclusions and not doing a proper investigation.”
Austin police said the 19-year-old died from the balcony of a 17th-floor apartment and that evidence pointed to suicide. Rodriguez said she does not accept that conclusion.
Rodriguez also said she wants a second autopsy to be performed. At that time, the Travis County medical examiner still did not have autopsy results, and she also requested that a new lead detective be assigned.
Lawyer accuses APD of rushing to judgment
During a press conference on December 5, Buzbee sharply criticized the department’s handling of the matter.
“Am I suggesting there is some sort of conspiracy?” » said Buzbee. “No, I’m saying they’re lazy.”
Buzbee said he wants the Texas Rangers to investigate.
Police said the case remains an active death investigation, but not a homicide investigation, and that the lead investigator has not changed. As of mid-December, the Texas Rangers had not received any requests to investigate the matter.
Previously published police timeline
Austin police said officers responded at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, to a call about a deceased person at 2101 Rio Grande Street. Aguilera was pronounced dead at 12:56 a.m., with trauma consistent with a fall from a height. A witness reported hearing a “thud” moments before finding her.
Police said surveillance video showed Aguilera arriving shortly after 11 p.m. on Nov. 28 and entering a 17th-floor apartment where friends had gathered. A large group left the unit around 12:30 a.m., leaving Aguilera and three other girls inside.
Investigators said Aguilera had been on the run earlier in the day, where witnesses reported she became drunk and lost her phone. Back at the apartment, police said she borrowed a friend’s phone around 12:43 a.m. and 12:44 a.m. to call a boyfriend from out of town. Witnesses reported hearing an argument, and police said the call lasted about a minute.
Police findings regarding family conflicts
Police said the evidence “does not indicate criminal activity” and that investigators believe Aguilera committed suicide. Police also said a deleted digital suicide note was recovered from his phone and written days before his death.
“From the time this call was made … at no time has any evidence indicated that this was a criminal act,” APD Detective Robert Marshall said during a press briefing.
The family rejected this conclusion. Buzbee called the circumstances “very suspicious” and said investigators reached conclusions before completing basic steps, including receiving autopsy and toxicology results.
APD says investigation remains open
After Buzbee’s press conference, Austin police released a statement emphasizing that the case was still active.
“The Travis County Medical Examiner is determining the cause and manner of death, and APD has never made a determination in this case,” the department said, adding that “this investigation remains open.”
Police also warned that misinformation could harm innocent people and compromise the investigation.
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