Congressional staffer dies in fire at Texas home

By 
 September 19, 2025

A congressional staffer has tragically died in a fire at her Texas home.

The incident, according to the New York Posttook place on Sunday.

The deceased individual has been identified as 35-year-old Regina Santos-Aviles. She was a member of the staff of U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX).

Here's what happened:

The incident occurred between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

Local outlet KSAT reports:

Uvalde Regional District Director Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, died early Sunday after a Saturday night incident at her home on Geraldine Avenue in Uvalde, a police report obtained by KSAT Investigates shows. Paramedics, firefighters and police responded to Santos-Aviles’ home around 9:30 p.m. Saturday for a disturbance, according to a UPD call sheet.

They arrived to find Santos-Aviles on fire.

The outlet continues:

A close family member told KSAT Investigates Wednesday a relative called emergency services after finding Santos-Aviles on fire outside of her home. The family member said Santos-Aviles was airlifted to SAMMC in San Antonio to be treated for extensive burns. An Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office employee confirmed Santos-Aviles was pronounced dead just after 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

An investigation is now underway into the cause and manner of Santos-Aviles' death. The big question, that still does not have an answer, is how Santos-Aviles ended up on fire.

"I don't want to die"

One of the last interactions that Santos-Aviles had was with her mother. She actually arrived at the scene when Santos-Aviles was on fire.

The New York Post reports:

“Her last words were ‘I don’t want to die,’” her heartbroken mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, told the outlet of when she arrived at the home and found her fully conscious daughter ablaze. “And they told her, ‘We will do our best to make sure we get you taken care of.’”

Rep. Gonazles has released a statement on Santos-Aviles' passing.

The congressman wrote:

We are all heart-stricken by the recent news. Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community. She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.

Santos-Aviles is reported to have left behind an 8-year-old son.

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