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.

AUSTIN, Texas — Engineers at The University of Texas at Austin are leading an academic and industry all-star team that aims to revolutionize the production of semiconductor chips with a new 3D printing method. The new approach, which the researchers are calling Holographic Metasurface Nano-Lithography (HMNL), aims for faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly production of advanced electronics.

HMNL has applications ranging from smartphones to robotics to aerospace. It can create designs that were previously impossible, such as 3D printed capacitors, which store energy in electronic devices, or electronic packages that fit into unconventional spaces. For example, it would make it possible to embed artificial intelligence in customized configurations to fit the specifications of robots or rockets.

“Our goal is to fundamentally change how electronics are packaged and manufactured,” said Michael Cullinan, an associate professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, who is leading the team. “With HMNL, we can create complex, multimaterial structures in a single step, reducing production time from months to days.”

The team, comprising researchers at the University of Utah, Applied Materials, Bright Silicon Technologies, Electroninks, Northrop Grumman, NXP Semiconductors and Texas Microsintering, has received a $14.5 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to pursue this work.

Electronics manufacturing today is a complex, time-consuming process that involves layering materials one step at a time. This approach not only limits design flexibility but also generates significant material waste. HMNL offers a faster, more sustainable alternative.

The key to this technical leap lies in metasurfaces, which are ultra-thin optical masks capable of encoding high-density information. When exposed to light, these metasurfaces create holograms that enable the simultaneous patterning of a hybrid resin made of metal and polymer into intricate 3D structures. The process is so precise that it can achieve resolutions smaller than the width of a human hair.

Additionally, by eliminating multiple production steps and reducing material waste, the process minimizes the environmental footprint of industrial activities. The increased speed will make it easier to develop unique prototypes.

The researchers created four prototypes as part of this project for a variety of applications:

• Commercial electronics: A fan-out module for consumer devices, showcasing faster production and improved design flexibility.
• Defense systems: Advanced prototypes for high-frequency communication and reconfigurable electronics.
• Nonplanar designs: Electronics packages that fit into challenging spaces.
• Active packages: Structures that serve mechanical and electrical functions, such as precise beam-pointing systems for optical applications.

“This isn’t just about making electronics faster or cheaper; it’s about unlocking new possibilities,” said Cullinan.

The researchers plan to commercialize the technology through Texas Microsintering Inc., a startup founded by Cullinan.

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Police are continuing to investigate the death of a Texas A&M student in the West Campus area of Austin on Saturday, assuring community members of their commitment to the investigation.

The family of 19-year-old Brianna Aguilera is still fighting for answers tonight. Her mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, told CBS Austin she died after falling from a balcony in the West Campus neighborhood over the weekend.

Rodriguez and her family have suggested foul play may be involved in her daughter’s death, but Austin Police deny that any evidence suggests criminal activity.

“It’s just a confusing time to grieve while also looking for answers as to what happened to our baby Bri,” said Aguilera’s cousin, Amabeli Fernandez.

Police confirmed Tuesday night that the case is still open.

“Multiple detectives continue to interview witnesses, gather evidence, and work carefully through the details of the incident,” Austin Police shared in a statement on Tuesday evening. “This case continues to be treated strictly as a death investigation, and there is no evidence to suggest or support any suspicious or criminal circumstances surrounding Ms. Aguilera’s passing.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE| “She loved life,” mother says of Texas A&M student found dead at West Campus apartment

The Travis County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

According to the Austin Police, officers responded to the scene at 2101 Rio Grande Street at 12:47 a.m. Saturday. Aguilera was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:57 a.m.

“We recognize the deep pain that accompanies the unexpected passing of a loved one, and our thoughts remain with those who are navigating this difficult time,” APD wrote Tuesday. “Our detectives remain committed to investigating the full details surrounding the death of Ms. Aguilera.”

Family members have questions about what led to Aguilera’s death.

Her mother shared that Aguilera “became intoxicated” during a tailgate event on Friday night and returned to a friend’s apartment. She said she did not hear from Aguilera for hours.

“No one really that was really around Bri has come forward and given us definitive answers,” Fernandez said.

We asked the police on Tuesday who was with Brianna at the time of her death. They said that is part of the active investigation.

Safehorns, a public safety group of UT Austin parents and students, said these types of incidents have unfortunately happened in the past on West Campus. President Joell McNew asks people to share what they know.

“If anyone was there, if anyone witnessed something, something that they think may not be important but are now reflecting on it, we want them to reach out to APD,” she said.

McNew suggested resources like the Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) at UT Austin and Tell Somebody at Texas A&M as resources for those with concerns.

A GoFundMe for Brianna’s family is also capturing national attention, with over $36,000 donated as of Tuesday evening.

“I wish that we had a definitive timeline. That’s not going to happen if people do not come forward out of fear for whatever reason. They need to understand that this is a person, someone who was full of life,” Fernandez said.