The community of Laredo and students across Texas A&M University are grieving the tragic and shocking death of 19-year-old Brianna Aguilera, a sophomore and aspiring lawyer who died just hours after attending a tailgate party in Austin over the weekend. Her sudden passing has left her family devastated and searching for clarity, raising questions about what truly happened in the hours leading up to her death.

According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded early Saturday morning to a call for an unresponsive woman outside an apartment building just west of the University of Texas campus. Brianna was pronounced dead at 12:57 a.m. Police have not publicly identified her nor released a cause of death, stating only that they do not suspect foul play. The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause, a process that may take months. But Brianna’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, says she was told something very different—claiming an officer informed her that Brianna fell or jumped from the 17th floor of the building.

Rodriguez strongly disputes any suggestion that her daughter took her own life. She describes Brianna as a driven, joyful young woman with clear goals and everything to look forward to. Brianna was studying at The Bush School of Government & Public Service and dreamed of becoming an attorney. “There are a lot of inconsistencies with the story,” her mother told KSAT. She also said her daughter had gotten into a fight with another girl earlier that night and believes someone inside the apartment may know more than they are admitting. “The detective just disregarded them,” Rodriguez said, referring to text messages she shared with investigators.

Brianna had traveled to Austin with friends to attend Friday’s high-profile Texas vs. Texas A&M football game, where the Longhorns defeated the Aggies. Her family says they only know she attended the tailgate and have received no further explanation about how she ended up outside the building where she was found.

The 19-year-old was well-known in Laredo, having graduated from United High School as an honors student and seasoned cheerleader. Loved ones describe her as bright, ambitious, and full of life—someone who cared deeply for her family, her friends, and her future. Her Instagram reflected her passions: football, cheer, and the pride she felt as an Aggie.

A GoFundMe created by her family remembers Brianna as someone who “had everything to live for,” noting she was just one year away from earning her Aggie ring. As the investigation continues, her mother and community are pleading for answers, determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy that ended a promising life far too soon.