Memorials continue in honor of 16-year-old Heights HS student who died at Astroworld Festival

HOUSTON – Funeral details for a Houston ISD student who was among one of the eight victims that died during Friday night’s crowd surge at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival have been released.

Brianna Rodriguez, 16, was a junior who attended Heights High School. The school’s band program confirmed her death on social media.

Brianna’s viewing was held Friday, Nov. 12 from 3 to 8 p.m. at La Paz Memorial Funeral Home located at 7902 Nordling Rd. Brianna’s memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dozens of people remembered Brianna during the viewing on Friday night.

“She was just always there for you,” said friend and classmate Jacob Gonzalez. “If you needed a hug, she would be there.”

Dancing was a passion for the high school junior.

“She was the type of person that with just her smile and her just walking in the room, she would just light up the whole entire room and everybody’s mood,” said her friend Thaly Vences.

Grief counselors will be available all week to assist students who may be affected, the school said.

“Brianna was someone who performed with the band and was someone who could always make anyone smile,” the school wrote. “Although she’s gone and cannot perform with us, we know she’d want to still enjoy our time in heights.”

The school shared a GoFundMe link on behalf of the family of Rodriguez.

“Dancing was her passion and now she’s dancing her way to heaven’s pearly gates,” the organizer wrote on the GoFundMe page.


About the Author:

A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.