REVEALED: Texas Rep Tony Gonzalez may have been in affair with aide who died after setting herself on fire

Texas GOP Congressman Tony Gonzales is accused of having an affair with one of his senior staffers who later died in a tragic self-immolation.

The aide, identified as 35-year-old Regina Aviles, allegedly set herself on fire outside her home in Uvalde, Texas, on September 13, according to the Daily Mail. Officials say Aviles doused herself with gasoline before igniting the flames. Uvalde is located roughly two hours west of San Antonio.

Her mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, told the San Antonio Express-News that she arrived to find her daughter still conscious but severely burned.

“Her last words were, ‘I don’t want to die,’” Gonzales said.

Santos-Aviles, the mother of an eight-year-old boy, was airlifted to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where she later succumbed to her injuries, the outlet reported in September. Local fire officials said a blaze had happened in the backyard of the residence and was extinguished before responders arrived.

“She loved life and loved her family and loved everyone and loved doing for others,” her mother told the Express-News. “She loved the work that she did and how she helped the communities get funding for things they needed.”

Santos-Aviles had worked for Rep. Gonzales since 2021, serving as a regional district director. Gonzales released a statement expressing his condolences.

“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news,” Gonzales said. “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.”

"Preliminary findings from DPS personnel confirming that Regina Santos-Aviles was alone in her backyard when the fire began," a statement from the DPS said. “At this stage of the investigation, we do not have any information to suggest that anyone else was involved."
 

According to the Express-News, Santos-Aviles had been separated from her husband for a couple of months when the fire occured. They were co-parenting and sharing responsibility for their son. 

This is a breaking news story. Refresh for details.