In a shocking incident in Uvalde, Texas, Regina Santos-Aviles, a 35-year-old staffer for Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, lost her life after setting herself on fire at her home on Sept. 13.
This tragic event has sparked concerns over transparency as Gonzales cancels media availabilities, and the Uvalde Police Department withholds public records related to her death, as the Daily Mail reports.
Santos-Aviles had been serving as a regional district director for Gonzales since 2021. She was married but separated from her husband and was a devoted mother to one child. Her work focused on community improvement in Uvalde, part of Gonzales’ congressional district that spans from San Antonio to El Paso.
On the evening of Sept. 13, Santos-Aviles was alone in her backyard in Uvalde when she poured gasoline on herself. She was soon engulfed in flames in a horrifying act that local media, including the San Antonio Express News, described as self-immolation.
Emergency responders airlifted her to a hospital in San Antonio for urgent care. Despite efforts to save her, she passed away the following day, Sept. 14. Investigators have yet to release an official cause of death, with autopsy results still pending.
Her mother, Nora Gonzales, shared a heartbreaking detail with the Express News. "'The last thing she said is, 'I don’t want to die,'" she recalled.
In the aftermath, Rep. Tony Gonzales issued a statement expressing deep sorrow. “We are all heart-stricken by the recent news,” his statement to the Daily Mail read. “Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community.”
He continued in a separate reflection on her legacy. “She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place,” Gonzales added.
However, Gonzales also took steps that limited public access to his activities. He had been scheduled to attend the opening of a new research facility at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio on Sept. 22. While he attended, media outlets were informed they were no longer welcome at the event.
The Uvalde Police Department has added to the mystery by blocking the release of records related to Santos-Aviles’ death. This includes the 911 call, videos, and police reports that are often made public during ongoing investigations. The department stated it would argue to the Texas Attorney General to keep these documents confidential.
This decision has raised questions about transparency in a city still healing from past tragedies. The relationship between Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado and Rep. Gonzales has come under particular scrutiny.
City councilman Ernest Santos voiced concerns over the police chief’s prior endorsement of Gonzales. “And unfortunately, look at what happened,” Santos told the Express News. “Here we have a chief of police endorsing this candidate, and we have this happen with an employee of Tony Gonzales.”
Santos emphasized the need for impartiality in public office. “We must remain neutral,” he continued in his statement to the Express News. “We need to make sure we do everything by the book.”
Amid the controversy, Gonzales’ campaign removed a flyer that had featured Chief Delgado’s endorsement. This move came as public attention focused on the potential conflict of interest. The removal has done little to quiet the growing unease in the community.
The death of Regina Santos-Aviles has left a profound impact on Uvalde, a tight-knit town within Gonzales’ district. As investigations continue, many are left seeking answers about the circumstances of her passing. The withheld records and canceled media access only deepen the sense of uncertainty surrounding this tragic event.
