On September 28, 2024, Denton, Texas, was shaken by the tragic death of Aaron De La Torre, a high school coach at Ryan High School, following a series of events that culminated in an allegation of assault. De La Torre, a respected coach in the local community, was found dead in what authorities believe was a suicide, just days after a video surfaced on social media accusing him of assaulting a minor. The incident has sparked an emotional response from the community, raising questions about accountability, mental health, and the devastating consequences of public scrutiny.
The incident in question occurred on a Saturday evening at a RaceTrac gas station in Hickory Creek, Texas, where officers from the Hickory Creek Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance. According to reports, the disturbance had originally begun at a nearby Walmart before moving to the gas station. When officers arrived, they found a group of people who alleged that an adult male—later identified as Aaron De La Torre—had assaulted a 12-year-old boy. The altercation was recorded by several witnesses, and the video quickly circulated on social media platforms.
The police report from the Hickory Creek Police Department details the chaotic scene upon their arrival. Witnesses provided conflicting accounts of the incident, and officers noted that there were no immediate signs of physical injury or assault. Based on the preliminary investigation, there was insufficient probable cause for an arrest, and the parents of the juveniles were called to the scene to retrieve their children. However, as the video continued to spread online, the situation escalated rapidly.
Within hours, social media platforms were flooded with reactions to the video. The footage showed a heated confrontation between De La Torre and the minor, although the details of the encounter remain unclear. What started as a local disturbance quickly transformed into a viral scandal. Accusations against De La Torre multiplied, with many condemning the coach’s actions and demanding justice for the alleged victim. The digital maelstrom grew even more intense when another individual, a woman named Priscilla Montez, posted her own harrowing account of a separate incident involving De La Torre and her son.
In her post, Montez described an event that she claims took place the previous year, in which De La Torre allegedly body-slammed her 13-year-old son during a confrontation. According to Montez, her son suffered a dislocated hip and significant bruising as a result of the altercation. She also provided details about how she had reported the incident to school authorities, including the Denton School Police Officer, the principal, the superintendent, and her son’s doctor. Despite her efforts, Montez claimed that no action was taken against De La Torre, and the matter was seemingly swept under the rug. In her post, she expressed outrage that her previous complaints were ignored and that De La Torre had continued to coach at Ryan High School without repercussions.
Montez’s account further fueled public outrage, with many people calling for an immediate investigation into the coach’s conduct. Her emotional post, which included accusations of a cover-up by the school administration and a lack of accountability from law enforcement, added layers to an already fraught situation. Social media users rallied around Montez, demanding answers and justice for both her son and the boy involved in the most recent incident.
As the accusations mounted, De La Torre’s personal and professional life began to unravel. The once-respected coach found himself at the center of a firestorm of allegations, and the pressure became unbearable. On the evening of September 28, just a few days after the video of the incident went viral, De La Torre was found dead in what authorities have preliminarily ruled as a suicide.
The news of De La Torre’s death sent shockwaves through the community. For those who knew him, the coach’s sudden death was a tragic and unexpected turn of events. Colleagues, students, and parents were left grappling with the complex and deeply emotional nature of the situation. While many were horrified by the allegations against him, others expressed sorrow at the way the events had unfolded, particularly how the intense scrutiny on social media may have contributed to his decision to take his own life.
Ryan High School, where De La Torre had worked for several years, issued a brief statement in the wake of the coach’s death. The statement expressed condolences to De La Torre’s family and acknowledged the tragic nature of the situation, while also confirming that the school district would be cooperating fully with any investigations. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Coach Aaron De La Torre,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with his family, his students, and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.”
However, the school’s response did little to quell the storm of public outcry. For many, De La Torre’s death only deepened the divide between those who felt the coach had been unfairly judged and those who believed justice had not been served for the alleged victims. Conversations around the case quickly turned to discussions about the role of social media in shaping public opinion, with some arguing that De La Torre had been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion without due process.
Mental health advocates were quick to point out the dangers of such rapid public condemnation, especially in an era where viral videos and social media posts can spread misinformation or incomplete narratives. “This case highlights the profound impact that social media can have on a person’s mental health,” said Dr. Emily Wallace, a psychologist who specializes in trauma. “When someone is accused of a serious crime, the pressure and shame can be overwhelming. In cases like this, where accusations are amplified by the internet, the individual may feel that there is no way to defend themselves or escape the situation.”
De La Torre’s family has remained relatively silent in the aftermath of his death, but close friends have spoken out, describing him as a dedicated coach and father who loved his job and his community. Many of his students remembered him fondly as a mentor who pushed them to excel, both on and off the field. One former student, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed disbelief at the accusations. “Coach De La Torre was tough, but he cared about us. I can’t believe what’s happened. I don’t know what the truth is, but I just wish things hadn’t ended like this.”
As the investigation into both the incident at the RaceTrac and the prior accusations made by Montez continues, the Denton community remains divided. Some argue that De La Torre’s death was the result of a rush to judgment and a failure to consider the full context of the events leading up to his death. Others maintain that the allegations against him should not be dismissed simply because of the tragic circumstances of his passing.
Meanwhile, the broader questions raised by De La Torre’s death linger. How should schools handle allegations of misconduct involving staff members? What role should social media play in holding individuals accountable? And how can communities ensure that both victims and the accused receive fair treatment in the wake of serious accusations?
In the coming weeks, authorities will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding both De La Torre’s death and the incidents that led to the assault allegations. The Hickory Creek Police Department, Denton Independent School District, and other agencies will likely face increased scrutiny as more details emerge. The investigation will also look into the school district’s handling of prior complaints against De La Torre, and whether any systemic failures contributed to the escalation of events.
For now, Denton is left to mourn the loss of a man who, for better or worse, became a lightning rod for controversy in his final days. As the community grapples with the complicated legacy of Aaron De La Torre, many hope that his tragic death will prompt important conversations about accountability, mental health, and the power—and danger—of social media in shaping public narratives.
