The mother of Texas A&M sophomore Brianna Aguilera believes foul play was the cause of her daughter’s death.
In an interview with People published on Tuesday, December 2, Stephanie Rodriguez said she “disagrees” with Austin Police Department determining that there “are no indications of suspicious circumstances” regarding the death of Aguilera who died on Saturday, November 29, at the age of 19.
Rodriguez told the outlet, “I’m thinking either someone shoved her over the balcony, or when my daughter does drink, she has the tendency [to fall asleep], and she’s so thin and frail, she cannot handle alcohol. I think that maybe either it might’ve been that, and they probably got scared and threw her over the balcony, or they shoved her off.”
Local news outlet KBTX reported on Monday, December 1, that Aguilera died at a student apartment complex near the University of Texas. Austin authorities confirmed at the time that her death occurred early on Saturday morning, just before 1 a.m.
The police department released a statement regarding their findings to People, which read, “At this time, the incident is not being investigated as a homicide, and there are no indications of suspicious circumstances. The cause of death will be determined by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing.”
The outlet stated that Rodriguez was told by the police department that they “believe her daughter’s death to be suicidal or accidental.”
Rodriguez said in response, “That’s when it made me very upset because I was, like, my daughter wasn’t suicidal. I would know. She’s not suicidal. Why would she be? She was living her best life. She loved life. I mean, she loved going to school. She wanted to become a lawyer. I mean, it was just something that I was, like, you don’t say that.”
Rodriguez, who joined her family in setting up a GoFundMe in the wake of Aguilera’s death to finance funeral expenses, also told People that her daughter “was at a party on the 17th floor … with approximately 14 other people.”
She noted that she believes “a fight may have broken out between Brianna and others,” alleging that Aguilera “had an argument with a girl over her boyfriend.”
Aguilera’s death was reflected upon by her family within the GoFundMe page’s description. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and cousin, Brianna Aguilera,” the descriptor read. “Brianna graduated from United High School in Laredo, TX where she was a seasoned cheerleader and received honors of Magna Cum Lade. She was pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer and was attending The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M, her dream was to always be an AGGIE! She was a year shy of attaining her Aggie ring.”
It also noted, “The details surrounding what happened next remain unclear, and her mother is still awaiting answers.”
The crowdfunding attempt had raised $37,735, surpassing its $12,000 target, at the time of publication. A comment from one of the page’s organizers, shared on Monday, read, “We have reached our goal, Brianna will be home with all her loved ones soon. I will leave the donations open so that my aunt can comfortably grieve through this unimaginable loss.”
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