Congressman Tony Gonzales Accused of Affair with Staffer Who Died After Setting Herself on Fire
UVALDE, TX — Questions are intensifying over the tragic death of 35-year-old Regina Santos-Aviles, a regional district director for Congressman Tony Gonzales, after reports surfaced alleging that the two were romantically involved prior to her fatal self-immolation.
Santos-Aviles died on September 13, 2025, after suffering catastrophic burns at her home in Uvalde. Investigators said she was alone when the fire began and that surveillance footage showed her pouring gasoline on herself moments before the blaze. Her family has strongly denied that she intended to end her life, insisting that the event was accidental.
According to reports from The New York Post and Daily Mail, investigators have not identified any evidence of foul play. Santos-Aviles reportedly told emergency responders, “I don’t want to die,” before being transported to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where she later died.
Sources told the Daily Mail that Santos-Aviles and Congressman Gonzales began a relationship shortly after she joined his staff in November 2021. Gonzales, a married father of six, has not publicly denied the allegations. His office issued a statement calling reports of the relationship “a distortion of a tragedy for political purposes.” The congressman reportedly did not attend Santos-Aviles’ funeral on September 25.
The Uvalde Police Department has since come under scrutiny for blocking the release of key records related to Santos-Aviles’ death, including the 911 call, surveillance video, and investigative reports. The department petitioned the Texas Attorney General’s Office for approval to withhold the materials, citing an ongoing investigation.
Critics argue the move is highly unusual and has fueled suspicions of political favoritism toward Gonzales. Law enforcement agencies typically release similar records even during active investigations. The decision has deepened public distrust, with many in Uvalde questioning whether political influence is shaping the handling of the case.
Santos-Aviles had separated from her husband, Adrian Aviles, but the two remained in contact as co-parents to their eight-year-old son. Adrian, who owns a video surveillance business, had installed the cameras that later captured the moments leading up to her death.
Authorities continue to maintain that no one else was involved in the incident, but with public records being withheld, many believe the full truth behind the death of Regina Santos-Aviles and her relationship with Congressman Tony Gonzales, remains hidden.
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