HOUSTON – More information has become available on the female student who was found dead inside her dorm room Monday afternoon at Rice University.
The student, who has since been identified as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, was a junior from Maryland.
Avila’s family arrived in Houston Tuesday morning and received support from the university’s leadership team. The family has requested privacy as they mourn their loss.
Here’s what we know about Avila
She was from Nottingham, Maryland and attended the Community College of Baltimore County where she was active in many organizations including the college-wide student programming board, Multicultural Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the First Year Experience Mentor program.
Avila transferred to Rice University in Spring of 2024 where she majored in political science, pre-law. While at Rice, she was a Deputy parliamentarian of the Rice Student Association; peer academic advisor at Jones College (residential hall); and a member of the university’s Honor Council.
The Community College of Baltimore County gave KPRC 2 the following statement regarding Avila’s passing:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a beloved member of the CCBC Class of 2023. Andrea was a passionate leader, an exceptional scholar, and a mentor to many. Her infectious smile and unwavering determination inspired all who knew her. The CCBC community extends its deepest sympathies to Andrea’s family during this difficult time.”'
What happened to Avila?
Police said Avila’s parents called campus police after not hearing from their daughter, which prompted a welfare check at Jones College, a residential building on the campus.
When campus police entered Avila’s dorm, they found her dead with a gunshot wound. They also found a man, who was not a student at the university, dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A note was allegedly found by investigators, which led them to believe the shooting was a murder-suicide.
The man, who has not yet been identified, is believed to be from Florida and was visiting Avila. It’s unclear how long the two had been inside the room before being found.
Rice University implemented a call center for students who need support dealing with the tragedy.
KPRC 2 News created a series, “Breaking Free,” reporting on domestic-related violence and its horrific consequences. The series showcased various stories of survival, heartache, and some even ending in death, but each shared a list of free domestic violence resources on how to get help.
Do you know someone in need of help? KPRC 2 released the following features in “Breaking Free.”
Help is also available immediately if you need it through the following numbers:
- Houston Area Women’s Center: (713) 528-2121
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799−7233
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.