**Death of Brianna Aguilera Spurs Lawsuit Against UT-Affiliated Clubs**
Key Takeaways:
- Houston attorney Tony Buzbee filed a lawsuit over the death of 19-year-old Brianna Aguilera
- The civil suit names two UT-Austin affiliated organizations for allegedly over-serving alcohol
- Witness testimony and investigative missteps have sparked renewed public scrutiny
Austin, TX — The death of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera is back in the spotlight after prominent Houston attorney Tony Buzbee filed a new civil lawsuit this week accusing two University of Texas-affiliated organizations of negligence related to the 19-year-old’s fatal fall from a high-rise in Austin.
Lawsuit Alleges Illegal Alcohol Service Before Fatal Fall
On January 6, 2026, Buzbee held a press conference to announce legal action against the UT Latin Economics and Business Association and the Austin Blacks Rugby Club. The lawsuit stems from allegations that both organizations hosted a tailgate event on the night of November 30, 2025, where Aguilera—then under the legal drinking age—was “obviously over-served,” according to Buzbee and confirmed in part by police reports.
Aguilera later attended a gathering at a high-rise apartment in downtown Austin, where she fell 17 stories to her death. While the Austin Police Department originally leaned toward labeling the death a suicide, Buzbee and Aguilera’s family strongly dispute this. The lawsuit asserts that Aguilera required assistance leaving the event due to intoxication—a key detail supporting claims of negligence by the defendants.
Gaps in Police Investigation Raise Alarms
Buzbee criticized APD’s handling of the case, calling it “rushed and incomplete.” At the press event, Aguilera’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, emotionally expressed frustration with the lack of answers. One pivotal witness, Dannah Rodriguez (no relation), who lived across the hall from the apartment Aguilera visited, stated she overheard an intense argument and disturbing noises the night of the incident but was only asked for a minimal statement by police. Buzbee claimed the apartment resident where Aguilera stayed moved out the next day, an act he called “suspicious.”
In response to the perceived investigative deficiencies, Buzbee’s firm has now retained two outside investigative agencies—one of them pro bono—to conduct an independent fact-finding mission. Witnesses have allegedly been told by authorities not to speak with Aguilera’s family attorneys unless subpoenaed.
Push for Accountability and Legal Momentum Ahead
The impact of the lawsuit is multifold. Its primary intention, according to Buzbee, is to compel testimony and evidence that has not been voluntarily shared. Subpoenas may be used to retrieve text messages and witness accounts that authorities have yet to act on. The case casts a wider light on alcohol-related liability at student-run events and the limits of university oversight in off-campus incidents.
Buzbee declared the legal effort is far from over, vowing, “We’re going to get to the bottom of what happened.” As public scrutiny grows, the lawsuit may push other witnesses to come forward and put pressure on both UT administration and Austin law enforcement to reexamine the investigation more thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is brianna aguilera trending?
A: Her death has resurfaced in national headlines after a Houston attorney filed a major lawsuit alleging negligence and criticizing the official investigation into her fatal fall.
Q: What happens next?
A: Attorneys will begin formal discovery proceedings, including issuing subpoenas. New witness testimonies may emerge in the coming weeks.
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