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Medical examiner determines Texas A&M student’s manner of death as family attorney disputes finding: ‘Flawed’

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Medical examiner determines Texas A&M student’s manner of death as family attorney disputes finding: ‘Flawed’

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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The Travis County Medical Examiner has determined Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera died by suicide after falling from an Austin high-rise in November, a ruling that aligns with police findings but is being forcefully challenged by the teen’s family, whose attorney called the conclusion “flawed.”

Aguilera, 19, died after falling from a high-rise apartment after a Texas A&M vs. University of Texas football tailgate at about 1 a.m. Nov. 29, according to police.

“Austin Police (APD) is aware that the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office has concluded its final autopsy report regarding the death of Brianna Aguilera and ruled it a suicide,” authorities wrote in a statement to affiliate FOX 7 Austin. “The investigation remains open, and until it is closed, Austin Police will not be providing any additional information.”

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Attorneys representing Aguilera’s family previously claimed she was killed despite the discovery of an alleged suicide note and suicidal texts to her friends on the night of her death.

Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera was found dead in Austin in November. (GoFundMe)

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After the release of the medical examiner’s findings, Tony Buzbee, the attorney for Aguilera’s family, issued a statement criticizing the investigation.

“Since Brianna Aguilera tragically lost her life, there has been an overwhelming amount of love and support for Brianna and her family. There has also been an overwhelming amount of criticism concerning the authorities for their handling of the investigation surrounding her death,” Buzbee wrote in the statement, obtained by FOX 7. 

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“Specifically, the Austin Police Department, without a legitimate investigation, quickly concluded that Brianna’s death was a suicide. This effort was far from what’s expected of law enforcement.

Brianna Aguilera died after falling from a high-rise apartment Nov. 29. (Instagram/brie.aguilera)

“As an example, the Austin Police Department and those involved in the investigation failed to review phone records of Brianna and those immediately connected to her or those at the scene,” he continued. 

“They failed to interview all witnesses, failed to take statements under oath, failed to put together an accurate timeline, failed to secure video footage, and, most importantly, failed to follow through and interview witnesses, even the ones that we identified for them.”

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Buzbee described the medical examiner’s ruling as “expected,” alleging the finding was “made in large part based on the shoddy work of the Austin Police Department.”

“To be clear. The Austin Police Department’s ‘investigation’ fell woefully short,” he wrote. “Brianna deserved better. Her family deserves better.”

The Buzbee Law Firm filed a lawsuit Jan. 5 related to Aguilera’s death.

Brianna Aguilera was found dead hours after attending a tailgate party. (Facebook/Brie Aguilera)

Attorneys said the legal action will allow the family to put witnesses under oath, subpoena records and compel cooperation of potential witnesses. 

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“We will do what the police and other authorities have failed to do,” Buzbee wrote. “We will perform a complete and thorough investigation and get the answers that Brianna and her family deserves. The medical examiner’s flawed conclusion changes nothing.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

Ritzy Pasadena hotel settles lawsuit for allegedly price gouging wildfire victims

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Ritzy Pasadena hotel settles lawsuit for allegedly price gouging wildfire victims

The corporation that owns the Langham Huntington Pasadena has settled a civil lawsuit claiming the luxury hotel hiked room rates while more than 200,000 residents evacuated their homes during the pair of deadly and destructive wildfires that devastated the Los Angeles area in January of 2025. The lawsuit, filed by the Los Angeles County District […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Southern California braces for 110-degree heat, thunderstorms this week

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Southern California braces for 110-degree heat, thunderstorms this week

Southern California is bracing for a hot and muggy week ahead, with heat watches in place and a chance of thunderstorms across the mountains and desert regions.

Temperatures are expected to increase each day into midweek, prompting officials to extend a heat advisory until 10 a.m. Tuesday, when it will transition to an extreme heat watch for even warmer conditions through Thursday evening.

Temperatures are expected to peak on Wednesday, with many locations topping 100 degrees and some reaching 110, according to the National Weather Service.

The afternoon high for Wednesday in the San Fernando Valley is forecast to be 110 degrees. (KTLA)

“Monsoonal moisture moving over the area will add to the discomfort, also bringing the potential for showers and thunderstorms each day,” the Weather Service said.

Those thunderstorms are most likely to occur over the mountain and desert areas as subtropical moisture is drawn into the region by a strong ridge of high pressure.

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Temperatures along the coast may even reach the 90s by midweek, with very warm temperatures continuing through the night.

Much of Southern California is under a Heat Advisory on Monday. (NWS)

“Given the extreme heat and humidity, it’s highly recommended to complete outdoor activities as early as possible,” the Weather Service said.

The high pressure is expected to slowly weaken Thursday, bringing afternoon highs to within a few degrees of normal in most areas by Friday.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Rare, corpse flower double bloom underway at Huntington Library

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Rare, corpse flower double bloom underway at Huntington Library

Two rare corpse flowers have begun to bloom simultaneously at the Huntington Library in San Marino, the nonprofit organization announced Sunday evening.

Odorysseus, the taller of the two flowers, bloomed first. A second, smaller corpse flower named Odora appears to be following close behind.

The Huntington Library is inviting visitors to take in the flowers’ unique aroma, which is often compared to rotting flesh. 

“And so it begins,” the Huntington Library wrote on social media.

Odora is shaped a bit differently than Odorysseus because its spadix is inverted due to a developmental irregularity. This is not expected to affect the blooming of the flower.

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“Plot twist!” the Huntington Library wrote on Instagram. “Odora wants to steal the spotlight. Odora’s spathe has started opening, too. Tiny but mighty, we’re in for quite the show with a double bloom.”

The Huntington is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, and is closed on Tuesdays. Reservations are required Friday through Sunday, on holidays, and during peak seasons. “Twilight stroll” hours are available on the Huntington’s website.

The public can also watch a live stream of the bloom on the organization’s YouTube channel.

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