Southwest
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.”
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.
“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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L.A. Tenants Union trying to save business owner given eviction notice ‘without reason or discussion’
The Los Angeles Tenants Union (LATU) is trying to save a Highland Park business after they say the owner was given 60 days notice to vacate “without any reason or discussion.”
The tenants union says that Junior’s Discount Party Supply, has been owned by Silvia Flores for 20 years and that the store, located on York Boulevard, is “known and loved by thousands of community members who utilize her crucial services for party rentals, general household items and to send money transfers.”
“Her legacy small business has been successful and has supported her family,” LATU says.
That legacy is now at risk, however, as LATU says the building was purchased this past month, meaning Flores and four neighboring businesses were issued 60-day eviction notices.
“[The] 60-day eviction notice [terminates] her tenancy of two decades without reason or discussion,” LATU said in a statement tied to a petition to keep the store open. “Silvia has not violated any clause of her lease nor has she fallen behind on rent payments. In fact, the new property owner has not even introduced himself to the woman who he intends to uproot from her business and the community.”
LATU listed the new owner as Dr. Donald Abrahm and his real estate investment company AEA Investments VIII, LLC. They also said that the idea of pushing out “legacy businesses without a care for people or neighborhood[s]” is nothing new.
“In addition to causing Silvia, a low-income immigrant mother and grandmother, to lose her livelihood, this eviction will further accelerate gentrification in Highland Park. This is just one example of a war on commercial tenants,” the union said. “Displacement of tenants, whether residential or commercial, is an issue that too many of us have faced and we refuse to be complicit. Although this eviction is technically legal, it is unjust and inhumane.”
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