Texas A&M Student's Death Ruled Suicide by Medical Examiner

Brianna Aguilera, 19, died after falling from a West Campus high-rise in Austin in November 2025.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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According to a report released by the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office, the death of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera, who fell from a West Campus high-rise in Austin on November 29, 2025, was ruled a suicide. The autopsy and investigation found evidence that Aguilera died by suicide, including a deleted suicide note on her phone and previous suicidal comments to friends.

Why it matters

Aguilera's death has raised concerns about mental health support for college students, as well as questions about the police investigation and the family's request to reopen the case with a different investigator.

The details

The Travis County Medical Examiner's report found that Aguilera fell 169 feet from the balcony and suffered extreme injuries. The report cited the balcony's railing height and Aguilera's height as evidence that her death was not an accident. A toxicology report also found that Aguilera had a blood alcohol level between 0.15% and 0.23% and traces of Delta-8 cannabinoids.

  • Aguilera fell from the West Campus high-rise on November 29, 2025.
  • The autopsy was conducted on November 30, 2025.
  • The toxicology report was completed on January 14, 2026.
  • The Medical Examiner's report was released on February 13, 2026.

The players

Brianna Aguilera

A 19-year-old Texas A&M student who died by suicide after falling from a West Campus high-rise in Austin.

Travis County Medical Examiner's Office

The office that conducted the autopsy and released the report ruling Aguilera's death a suicide.

Austin Police Department (APD)

The department that investigated Aguilera's death, with an investigator finding a deleted suicide note on her phone and evidence of previous suicidal comments.

Lisa Davis

The Austin Police Chief who said it is uncommon for law enforcement to publicly discuss a death by suicide.

Aguilera's parents

The family who asked APD to reopen the case with a different investigator, disagreeing with the department's handling of the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“Our investigation has revealed that unfortunately Brianna had made suicidal comments previously to friends in October of this year. This continued through the evening of her death, with self-harming actions earlier in the evening and a text message to another friend indicating the thought of suicide.”

— APD investigator (KXAN)

“It is uncommon for law enforcement 'to talk publicly about a death by suicide.'”

— Lisa Davis, Austin Police Chief (KXAN)

What’s next

Aguilera's family has asked the Austin Police Department to reopen the case with a different investigator, and the department has said its investigation is still open.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the importance of mental health support and resources for college students, as well as the need for thorough and sensitive investigations into student deaths, especially those involving suicide.