A congressional staffer in Uvalde died after reportedly setting herself on fire with gasoline, according to investigators. Regina Santos-Aviles, a 35-year-old employee of Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), was discovered alive but burning by her mother at her home on September 13. Firefighters extinguished flames using a fire extinguisher and transported her via helicopter to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where she later died.
The Uvalde Police Department stated there is no evidence of foul play, though the family insists the incident was an accident. Santos-Aviles’s mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, described the event as a tragic mishap, noting her daughter’s final words were “I don’t want to die.” Fire department chief Mario Rangel confirmed responders arrived at the residence after being alerted to a fire that had already been extinguished.
Congressman Gonzales released a statement praising Santos-Aviles for her dedication to community service, calling her “a passionate advocate for Uvalde.” Authorities reported no other individuals were involved in the incident, and the case remains under investigation.