Uvalde Withholds Records in Regina Santos-Aviles Death Investigation
UVALDE, TX — Nearly two months after the tragic death of 35-year-old Regina Santos-Aviles, the City of Uvalde continues to deny public access to basic information surrounding the incident, despite acknowledging that the investigation is nearly complete.
Santos-Aviles, a former Uvalde Chamber of Commerce director and regional district manager for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, died on September 14 after lighting herself on fire. Authorities have not determined whether the act was accidental or intentional.
Read: Death of Congressman Tony Gonzales’s Aide Now Under Criminal Investigation
City Cites Privacy to Withhold Public Records
On September 17, the Uvalde Leader-News filed open records requests for 911 audio and police reports from the day Santos-Aviles died. The city denied those requests on September 25, claiming the investigation was ongoing.
In an October 24 letter to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, city officials admitted that the case “appears likely to be closed in the near future without resulting in criminal prosecution.” Even so, the city now argues the information should remain confidential, citing privacy concerns on behalf of Santos-Aviles’ surviving family members.
“The City believes that release of the responsive information at issue in this case will constitute a violation of the common-law privacy rights of the deceased individual’s surviving family members because the information concerns mental/emotional distress,” the appeal reads.
Under Texas law, privacy defenses cannot typically be asserted on behalf of deceased individuals. The city contends, however, that the emotional impact on family members justifies withholding the records.
The Attorney General’s Office has not yet ruled on the city’s appeal. By law, the AG has 45 business days to issue a decision. If the office denies the city’s argument, Uvalde will be required to release the requested materials.
A Death That Drew National Attention
Santos-Aviles’ death made national headlines because of her role as a key congressional aide to Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose district covers a large swath of South Texas. She represented the congressman in Uvalde and surrounding areas, often speaking at public events and accompanying him during high-profile visits, including a 2023 border tour with Elon Musk.
The Uvalde Leader-News contacted Gonzales on October 30 to ask whether he supports the city’s decision to withhold records but received no response.
According to a Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department report, Santos-Aviles was alone at the time of the incident. Firefighters said she told them she had poured gasoline on herself before the fire. Officials have repeatedly stated there is no evidence of foul play.
Read: Congressman Tony Gonzales Accused of Affair with Staffer Who Died After Setting Herself on Fire
Questions Over Transparency
After the city’s initial denial, the newspaper contacted then-City Manager Vince DiPiazza to ask why releasing the 911 call or report would interfere with an investigation that officials described as non-criminal.
“While it is true that there is no evidence any crime was committed, we typically do not release information until an investigation is complete,” DiPiazza said on October 3. “UPD’s work is essentially finished, but we are waiting on two other items from outside parties. Once we have these—and we don’t expect them to take much longer—the investigation will be complete.”
DiPiazza’s final day with the city was October 28. He did not respond to additional emails asking whether the city would release the records once the investigation concluded. Two days later, city attorney Frank Garza shared a second appeal letter sent to the Attorney General.
Legal Arguments and Public Interest
The city’s most recent filing reveals that attorneys representing Santos-Aviles’ next-of-kin sent a letter to the city—one of the documents the newspaper requested. City officials argue that the letter “contains highly intimate or embarrassing facts” and that releasing it “would be highly objectionable to a reasonable person.”
They further contend that the information “is of no legitimate concern to the public,” since Santos-Aviles was not an elected official or celebrity.
Open records advocates argue that transparency laws exist to hold public entities accountable, regardless of a person’s job title. Because Santos-Aviles was a prominent figure in local and federal public service, many residents believe the city should release at least the factual details surrounding her death.
Community Reaction
In Uvalde, where public trust in government remains fragile after years of scrutiny following the 2022 Robb Elementary tragedy, residents have expressed frustration over the city’s secrecy. Some residents say transparency could help prevent misinformation, while others emphasize compassion for the family’s privacy.
“The public deserves clarity,” one longtime Uvalde resident told The Maverick Times. “We can respect the family’s pain and still ask for accountability from our government.”
As of early November, the Attorney General’s Office has not issued a ruling on the case. Once the decision arrives, the city will be legally bound either to release or continue withholding the requested information.
About The Author
