An aide to Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) died earlier this month after catching on fire, and the death has left more questions than answers.
Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who was a Uvalde native and the regional district director for Rep. Gonzales, passed away earlier this month after catching on fire in her backyard. Authorities have shared that she was alone in her backyard when she caught on fire, and they do not believe that anyone else was involved.
In the latest development on the investigation into her death, Uvalde PD have suggested that the death has left more questions than answers, while showing that someone else was likely not involved.
“At this stage of the investigation, we do not have any information to suggest that anyone else was involved,” Uvalde PD Chief Homer Delgado said in a statement.
First responders were called to the home of the victim in response to a report that she was on fire.
Nora Ann Gonzales, the aide’s mother, has shared that Santos-Aviles and her husband, Adrian Aviles, had been separated for some time. They have a son, and both parents had been sharing parenting responsibilities. However, Gonzales noted that neither Santos-Aviles nor Adrian had filed for divorce, which was confirmed by a clerk at the Uvalde County courthouse.
Police have since come out and announced that Santos-Aviles’ death was captured on home surveillance video.
Despite the footage, authorities have not announced how the fire started, and the Bexar County medical examiner has not issued a finding regarding the manner of the death.
After news of Santos-Aviles' death was made public, Rep. Gonzales issued a statement, calling her "a valued member of our team and an extraordinary community leader." "The contributions she made to her beloved Uvalde community and the surrounding area will never be forgotten."
