Texas Congressional Staffer Regina Santos-Aviles Dies After Tragic Fire at Home

Texas Congressional Staffer Regina Santos-Aviles Dies After Tragic Fire at Home

The Uvalde community and Capitol Hill are mourning the loss of Regina Santos-Aviles, a 35-year-old congressional staffer for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who died after catching fire at her Texas home on September 14, 2025.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, Santos-Aviles’ mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, discovered her daughter engulfed in flames and desperately tried to save her. In her final moments, Santos-Aviles reportedly uttered the words, “I don’t want to die,” before being airlifted to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where she was later pronounced dead.

Santos-Aviles, who was the mother of an 8-year-old boy, was a dedicated public servant and a well-known figure in Uvalde. She worked as a staffer for Rep. Gonzales, focusing on constituent services and community outreach. Her sudden and tragic death has left colleagues, friends, and loved ones stunned.

Rep. Gonzales and his staff issued a statement expressing their grief and calling Santos-Aviles a “devoted and compassionate member of our team whose commitment to the people of Texas will never be forgotten.”

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances that led to the fire. No official cause has been released.

Friends, family, and community leaders have since flooded social media with tributes and condolences, remembering Santos-Aviles as a caring mother, passionate advocate, and beloved member of the Uvalde community. Funeral arrangements are pending as loved ones rally to support her young son.