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AUSTIN, Texas – The family of a 19-year-old Texas A&M student who was found dead outside a West Campus apartment building has hired prominent attorneys to conduct an independent investigation, saying they do not believe the circumstances surrounding her death have been adequately examined by police.

What we know:

Brianna Aguilera of 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 Austin police. She was pronounced dead at the scene about 10 minutes later. Aguilera 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.

Family disputes the findings

But 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.”

Attorneys lead independent probe

What they’re saying:

“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.

Friday news conference

What’s next:

The law firm said it will hold a news conference Friday at 1 p.m. in Houston to discuss the case. Both parents are expected to attend. 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 investigation remains ongoing.

The Source: Information in this report comes from Tony Buzbee social media account. Additional information comes from the Austin Police Department, FOX 7 Austin’s reporting partner KSAT, and interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Angela Shen. 

Crime and Public SafetyAustinTexas A&M UniversityTexasHouston