HOUSTON – Rice University student Andrea Rodriguez Avila died Monday from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner’s report from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
According to investigators, Avila was the victim of a murder-suicide. Her body was found in her dorm room that afternoon, along with the body of the man who police say shot her and then shot himself.
According to police, Avila and the 22-year-old man were together at times and he left a note describing the problems in the relationship.
Campus police came to her room to check on Avila's well-being after Avila's parents called, concerned because it was the first day of classes and they hadn't heard from her.
Investigators said Avila likely let the man into Jones College, the dormitory where she lived, as a visitor.
The university's gun laws do not allow anyone to enter campus with a concealed or openly carried handgun. They also prohibit all members of the Rice community – including faculty, staff, students, contractors and visitors – “from possessing firearms, explosives, other dangerous weapons and replicas of dangerous weapons on Rice property.”
Investigators have not yet identified the man, but said Monday he may be from Florida.
Avila remembered as an exceptional student
This was Avila’s second semester at Rice.
She transferred here last spring from the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland. There, the 21-year-old was active in many organizations, including the university-wide Student Programming Board, the Multicultural Student Association, the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the First Year Experience Mentor program.
Avila studied political science and law at Rice University. She also served as an alternate parliamentarian for the Rice Student Association and as a member of the university's honorary council.
The university does not have fraternities, unlike many other colleges. Students are randomly assigned to dorms, remain there as students, and can participate in a variety of academic, social, and political events and groups. Avila served as an academic advisor at Jones College.
Avila's parents arrived in Houston on Tuesday and university president Reginald DesRoches said they were supported by the Rice community.
Classes began again for Rice students on Wednesday.
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