She worked for Congressman Tony Gonzales. She was his regional director in Uvalde, the town she loved and never left. Her name was Regina Ann Santos-Aviles. And on September 13, 2025, she died after setting herself on fire in her own backyard.
Now her boss is the one in chaos. Five months after her death, Gonzales faces calls to resign. An ethics investigation is underway. Fellow Republicans want him out. And at the center of it all is a 35-year-old mother whose final words still haunt those who heard them.
Who Was Regina Santos-Aviles?
She was born and raised in Uvalde, a small city in South Texas about 80 miles west of San Antonio. Before joining Gonzales’ staff, she ran the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce. She also worked for the Uvalde County Fairplex. Everyone knew her. Everyone trusted her.
In November 2021, she joined the office of U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican whose district stretches from San Antonio to El Paso. She became his Regional District Director based in Uvalde. Her job was to be his eyes and ears in the community she loved.
After the Robb Elementary School shooting in 2022, she became an advocate. She helped families. She pushed for mental health resources. She helped create a new mental health facility in Uvalde. Colleagues described her as passionate, dedicated, and the kind of person who made others feel seen.
How Did Regina Santos-Aviles Die?
On the evening of September 13, her mother arrived at her home in Uvalde. What she found was horrifying. Regina was in the backyard. She was on fire.
Her mother called 911 around 9:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived quickly. They found burned gasoline cans nearby. They put out the flames. Regina was still alive but badly burned. She was airlifted to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
Her mother later shared Regina’s final words. “I don’t want to die,” she whispered. Medical staff promised to do everything they could.
Just after 6:30 a.m. on September 14, she was pronounced dead. She was 35 years old.
Was It Suicide or an Accident?
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled it suicide by self-immolation. They determined she intentionally set herself on fire. But Regina’s family sees it differently. They insist it was a tragic accident. Her mother pointed to a water hose outside the home. She said Regina’s final words do not sound like someone trying to end their life.
Uvalde police reviewed surveillance footage. Regina was alone in the backyard. No evidence of foul play was found. Still, the family’s doubts remain.
Who Is Her Family?
Regina leaves behind people who adored her. Her husband, Adrian Aviles, is now raising their eight-year-old son, Axel, alone. In her obituary, Axel was described as her “greatest pride and joy.” She also leaves behind her mother, stepfather, brother, and nieces.
Adrian has become a central figure in the controversy surrounding her death. He discovered something in June 2024 that changed everything: evidence that his wife may have been having an affair with her boss, Congressman Tony Gonzales.
What Was Her Relationship with Tony Gonzales?
Text messages obtained by the San Antonio Express-News show Regina told a colleague in April 2024 that she had an “affair with our boss.” The alleged relationship began sometime after she joined the office in 2021.
When her husband discovered the affair in June 2024, the couple separated. Regina’s distress became noticeable to those around her. A former staffer said Regina spiraled. She started taking antidepressants in the summer of 2025. She talked about Tony every day. Colleagues believed she was being pushed out.
How Did Tony Gonzales Respond?
The congressman has denied the affair from the beginning. At a November 2025 event, he called the rumors “completely untruthful” and Regina’s death a “very tragic situation.”
In February 2026, Gonzales posted on X that he was being blackmailed. He shared part of an email from Adrian’s attorney discussing a potential settlement under the Congressional Accountability Act. “I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,” he wrote.
The attorney, Bobby Barrera, denied the accusation. “There’s no blackmail here,” he told the Associated Press. “It is a desperate attempt to make him look again like a political victim.”
What Is the Ethics Investigation?
The Office of Congressional Conduct opened an investigation months ago. They are examining whether Gonzales violated House rules regarding sexual relationships with subordinates. The probe is ongoing. Because Gonzales faces a Republican primary on March 3, the office cannot make any referral within 60 days of an election. That window closes soon after.
Why Are People Calling for His Resignation?
On February 23, fellow Republican Representative Lauren Boebert urged Gonzales to step down. She joined a growing chorus that includes Gonzales’ primary challenger and political commentators across the spectrum.
The San Antonio Express-News, which broke much of the story, has withdrawn its endorsement of Gonzales.
What Does Her Family Want Now?
Adrian Aviles is not calling for Gonzales’ resignation. His attorney said that is up to voters. What Adrian wants is simpler. He wants the truth acknowledged. He wants his wife remembered for who she was, not just how she died. He wants their son to grow up knowing his mother was a woman of heart and service.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
