The mother of Texas A&M student Brianna Marie Aguilera is speaking out
Aguilera, 19, was found dead outside an Austin, Texas apartment building on Nov. 29 following the Texas-Texas A&M football game
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Stephanie Rodriguez says she does not believe her daughter took her own life

Brianna Marie Aguilera’s mother says she believes the details surrounding her daughter’s death don’t add up.

Authorities in Austin, Texas discovered the 19-year-old Texas A&M student’s body outside a West Campus apartment early on Saturday, Nov. 29, after the game between the Aggies and the University of Texas ended. 

In an updated statement shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Austin Police Department said it is investigating the college sophomore’s death, but that “the facts obtained do not indicate that this is a homicide.”

“The case involving the death of Brianna Aguilera remains open, active, and under thorough investigation,” the Austin Police Department said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “Multiple detectives continue to interview witnesses, gather evidence, and work carefully through the details of the incident. At this stage in the investigation, the facts obtained do not indicate that this is a homicide. 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. The cause of death will be determined by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office.”

The Austin Police Department added, “Every loss in our community is taken seriously, and every life is deserving of care, dignity, and a complete investigative process. Austin Police extends our heartfelt condolences to Brianna Aguilera’s family, friends, and all who are grieving her loss. 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. Our detectives remain committed to investigating the full details surrounding the death of Ms. Aguilera.”

However Aguilera’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, tells PEOPLE she disagrees with the Austin Police’s assessment.

Brianna Aguilera.

Courtesy of Stephanie Rodriguez

“I’m thinking either someone shoved her over the balcony, or when my daughter does drink, she has the tendency [to fall asleep], and she’s so thin and frail, she cannot handle alcohol,” Stephanie Rodriguez tells PEOPLE exclusively. “And I think that maybe either it might’ve been that, and they probably got scared and threw her over the balcony, or they shoved her off.”

Aguilera says Austin Police told her that they believe her daughter’s death to be “suicidal or accidental.”

“And that’s when it made me very upset because I was like, my daughter wasn’t suicidal,” Rodriguez says. “I would know. She’s not suicidal. Why would she be? She was living her best life. She loved life. I mean, she loved going to school. She wanted to become a lawyer. I mean, it was just something that I was like, you don’t say that.”

Aguilera was at a party on the 17th floor of 21 Rio, a 21-story apartment building, with approximately 14 other people, her mother says.

Despite not being able to reach Aguilera hours earlier when the game began shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, Rodriguez says she believes a fight may have broken out between Brianna and others at the party.

Rodriguez alleges that her daughter had an argument with a girl over her boyfriend. 

“They were arguing about that,” she claims.

Brianna Aguilera.

Courtesy of Stephanie Rodriguez

As she awaits answers, Rodriguez wants others to know Brianna was a bright student who dreamed of one day becoming a criminal defense attorney. The former high school cheerleader was also a fun-loving sister who doted on her two younger brothers, her mother says.

Recently home in Laredo for the Thanksgiving break, Brianna woke up early one morning to surprise her siblings with Starbucks, and took them to see Wicked at the movie theater.

“She was always smart,” Rodriguez says. “She was eager to get back to school. She was happy … She wanted to get back to A&M. There was no way that she would do this to herself.”