Something is afoot in Uvalde. On Sept. 14, Regina Santos-Avile was found engulfed in flames outside her home and died of her injuries hours later. Santos-Avile was the Director of Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales’ Uvalde Regional Office, and tributes flooded in, with colleagues describing her as “dedicated and respected” and noting her longtime community outreach efforts.
Cops were quick to confirm that there was “no indication of foul play,” and a fire department report shed some light on the mystery by confirming that their team had been informed by attending cops that she’d “doused herself in gasoline and was ignited into flames.”
Uvalde Police Chief Homer E. Delgado said surveillance footage of the incident had been retrieved, confirming:
“Preliminary findings from DPS personnel confirming that Regina Santos-Aviles was alone in her backyard when the fire began. At this stage of the investigation, we do not have any information to suggest that anyone else was involved.”
So, while the “how” of Santos-Avile’s death seems settled, the “why” remains open.
The truth begins to emerge
Um. What?
— Maine (@TheMaineWonk) October 20, 2025
“Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales (R) allegedly had an affair with a senior aide who later died after dousing herself with gasoline and setting herself on fire.”
SOURCE: @DailyMail pic.twitter.com/iCpETgxtqa
Now, a bombshell claim in The Daily Mail says that “multiple sources” have confirmed to them that Gonzales and Santos-Avile had been having a secret affair. Both Gonzales and Santos-Avile were married at the time, and Congressman Gonzales has six children with his wife, Angel.
It also seems Santos-Avile had recently had relationship troubles. According to the report, Santos-Avile had recently separated from her husband, and the two were sharing custody of their eight-year-old son. It’s unknown whether this was a factor in her death, but whatever the case, the temperature has just been turned up on Gonzales.
Naturally, Gonzales hasn’t mentioned any of this in his public statements on the death, but put out a statement reading:
“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.”
Uvalde police are reportedly blocking the release of the 911 call made about the incident, any video footage of it, and supporting records. Whether that’s because that would be too distressing for her family or because they’re covering something up that could be damaging to the Congressman is unclear, though it’s clear this sad and suspicious saga has more than a few twists left to come.
