SAN ANTONIO – One San Antonio father said a high-profile investigation feels all too familiar.

Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera, 19, died last weekend in Austin after falling from a 17-story apartment complex balcony.

When Ezechiel Hernandez heard Aguilera‘s story, he said the parallels of his own son’s death were shocking.

“It’s just so similar to my son,” he said. “How does this happen?”

Ezechiel Hernandez’s son, Grant, 19, died in January 2019. He was also a Texas A&M student visiting a friend at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Travis County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide, per documents provided to KSAT by Hernandez.

Hernandez said drugs were also found in Grant’s system.

“He fell 250 feet from the 18th floor,” Hernandez said. “He apparently just hallucinated, and it affected him in a very bad way.”

When news broke about Aguilera this week, Hernandez said he saw the similarities and felt compelled to share his son’s story.

>> What we know about Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera’s death in Austin

“I just want her parents to know that something similar, same place, happened,” he said.

Hernandez’s son and Aguilera went to the same school, were the same age and both fell from an apartment complex balcony. A spokesperson with the Austin Police Department confirmed with KSAT on Thursday they both died at the same complex, 21 Rio.

“We were in search of answers too, and we never quite got the answers I felt like we wanted,” Hernandez said. “There’s got to be some accountability somewhere.”

Hernandez said his son’s case is closed.

Aguilera’s parents have retained attorneys and are set to have a news conference Friday in Houston.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, call 988 or text TALK to 741-741.

You can also reach out to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) at 210-223-7233 (SAFE) or 800-316-9241. You can also text NAMI to 741-741.

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AUSTIN, Texas (Gray News) – Police in Texas have revealed more information about what happened to a Texas A&M sophomore who was found dead Saturday after attending a tailgate party.

In a Thursday morning news conference, police said they found substantial evidence that 19-year-old Brianna Aguilera died by suicide.

Her body was found outside an apartment complex early Saturday morning after officials said she fell from a 17th-floor unit.

Police said while they typically do not comment publicly about a suicide, national attention surrounding Aguilera’s death has caused a swell of inaccurate information and speculation.

“It is not common for a police department to speak publicly about a death by suicide. But inaccurate information has circulated and been reported,” said Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. “And that has led to additional harm of innocent people, bullying included, and their families. There have also been statements suggesting the police have failed to do our jobs. Those statements are not accurate.”

Police said Aguilera attended a tailgate party earlier in the evening and was asked to leave around 10 p.m. because of her level of intoxication.

The camera system at the apartment complex she returned to helped establish a timeline of what happened next.

Surveillance video showed Aguilera arriving at the apartment complex at 11 p.m. and going to a unit on the 17^th floor.

Around 12:30 a.m., a large group of people left the apartment, leaving Aguilera and three other young women inside.

Phone records show Aguilera had a one-minute phone call with an out-of-town boyfriend from 12:43 to 12:44 a.m. Witnesses said she argued on the phone, which was later confirmed by the boyfriend.

Just two minutes later, at 12:46 a.m., police responded to a 911 call reporting Aguilera’s body was found outside.

Aguilera was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:56 a.m. Police said she had trauma “consistent with having fallen from a higher floor.”

Further investigation of Aguilera’s phone found she had written and deleted a suicide note dated Nov. 25, which was dedicated to specific people in her life.

Friends told police Aguilera had made suicidal comments beginning in October. A text message to a friend earlier in the evening of her death also indicated thoughts of suicide, police said.

Police said at no point during the investigation did any evidence point to criminal activity.

Investigators said after speaking with friends and family, it was “very apparent” how loved Aguilera was, and that “every friend and witness has been nothing but forthcoming and open.”

Despite the police ruling, Aguilera’s family has hired legal representation to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, according to KGNS.

Aguilera was originally from the Laredo area and was a graduate of United High School, where she was a cheerleader and honors student, KBTX reports.

A GoFundMe was set up by family members to help cover funeral expenses.

If you or someone you know needs help, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

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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.