Texas Congressman’s Staffer Reportedly Doused Herself in Gasoline Before Death

SAN ANTONIO, TX — A staffer for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales reportedly doused herself in gasoline before catching fire and later dying from her injuries, according to a newly released fire department report cited by the Uvalde Leader News.

Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, was found severely burned in her backyard in Uvalde on Sept. 13. She was hospitalized with significant injuries and later died, authorities said.

On Sunday, The Uvalde Leader News reported that Uvalde police told firefighters Santos-Aviles “doused herself in gasoline and was ignited into flames,” according to a report by the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department. Fire crews also extinguished a burning gas can at the scene, the newspaper reported.

Police said Santos-Aviles was alone at the time of the incident. “At this stage of the investigation, we do not have any information to suggest that anyone else was involved,” Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado said in a Sept. 23 statement. He added that surveillance footage captured the incident.

Santos-Aviles worked as a regional district director for Gonzales and had been with the Texas Republican’s office since 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile.