https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...a-Santos-Aviles-died-doused-gas-set-fire.html |
15:00 EDT 20 Oct 2025, updated 15:53 EDT 20 Oct 2025By MARYANN MARTINEZ, US TEXAS BUREAU CHIEF
Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales allegedly had an affair with a senior aide who later died after dousing herself with gasoline and setting herself on fire, multiple sources have told the Daily Mail.
Regina Aviles, 35, poured gasoline over herself before becoming engulfed in flames at her home on September 13 in Uvalde, Texas – about two hours west of San Antonio.
The married mother-of-one, who was separated from her husband, had served as Gonzales's regional district director in Uvalde since 2021.
Sources who spoke with the Daily Mail on the condition of anonymity said that Aviles and the married congressman became romantically involved after she joined his staff on November 21, 2021.
Gonzales's spokesman refused to deny the affair when repeatedly offered the opportunity by the Daily Mail.
One source told the Daily Mail that their relationship continued 'for some time' and that Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, was aware of the relationship at the time of her death.
Two additional, separate sources also confirmed the alleged relationship with Gonzales.
Gonzales, 43, a Republican, represents a vast district that stretches from San Antonio through Uvalde to El Paso – covering some of the most volatile stretches of the US-Mexico border.
Regina Aviles, 35, poured gasoline over herself before becoming engulfed in flames at her home in Uvalde, Texas, on September 13
Congressman Tony Gonzales hosted Elon Musk in September 2023 as he toured the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. The aide he allegedly had an affair with, Regina Aviles, can been seen on the right of Musk
Gonzales and Aviles became romantically involved when she went to work for the married member of the US House, several sources, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail
Aviles was frequently seen by his side, including during Elon Musk's
high-profile tour of the border in September 2023. At the time, Eagle Pass was considered the epicenter of the border crisis.
Photographs from Musk's visit show Aviles standing close to the congressman and the billionaire as they surveyed areas where thousands of migrants had surrendered to US Border Patrol.
'Regina Aviles was a kind soul who had a lasting impact on her community, which she continued to serve until her untimely death,' a spokesman for Gonzales told the Daily Mail when reached for comment about the alleged affair.
'To see political bottom feeders distort the circumstances around her passing is truly sickening. Tony Gonzales remains laser-focused on delivering historic achievements for Texas and condemns any attempts to misuse this tragedy.'
His spokesman didn't engage when repeatedly offered the opportunity to deny the affair by the Daily Mail.
Aviles and her husband had separated after he learned of the affair sometime this year, a source shared, but continued to co-parent their eight-year-old son.
Adrian, who runs a video surveillance business, did not respond to the Daily Mail's requests for comment.
Sources added he had installed cameras at the home they once shared, and that the footage from those devices captured his wife pouring gasoline on herself on September 13.
The Uvalde Police Department told the Daily Mail that the video has been turned over to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab for review.
Aviles, known by friends and family as 'Regi', was airlifted to San Antonio but died in the hospital the next day.
Aviles's mother, Nora Gonzales, described the incident as a tragic accident and said her daughter's final words were: 'I don't want to die,' according to the San Antonio Express News
Gonzales, a father of six, did not attend Aviles' funeral held on September 25, sources told the Daily Mail. He is pictured with wife Angel
'The last thing she said is, 'I don't want to die,'' Aviles' mother, Nora Gonzales, told the
San Antonio Express News.
It isn't clear when Aviles' mother spoke to her daughter.
She described the incident as a tragic accident.
Gonzales, a father of six, did not attend Aviles' funeral held on September 25, according to sources.
Investigators have not yet released a cause of death. The medical examiner told the Daily Mail that autopsy results remain pending, though authorities believe the death was a self-immolation.
'Regina Santos-Aviles was alone in her backyard when the fire began, which ultimately caused significant injuries and required her transport to the emergency room,' Uvalde Police said in a statement to the Daily Mail.
'At this stage of the investigation, we do not have any information to suggest that anyone else was involved.'
Days after her death, reporters were disinvited from an event where Gonzales had been expected to face questions from the media.
He had been scheduled to attend the opening of a research facility in San Antonio on September 22, but organizers later barred press access, according to
KSAT-TV.
Following Aviles' death, Gonzales's office issued another statement to media upon their request, but has yet to address the death of his staffer on his very active X accounts.
Aviles is survived by her husband, Adrian, and their eight-year-old son. Her obituary described her as 'a devoted mother, a loving daughter, sister, and wife and a loyal friend'
She was found engulfed in flames at her Uvalde home (above) on September 13. Investigators determined she was home alone at the time
'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 toward Uvalde and helping the community become a better place,' Gonzales' statement reads.
The Uvalde Police Department has since
blocked the release of public records related to the congressional aide's death.
In a letter to the state Attorney General - and to the Daily Mail and other requesting media outlets - investigators said they would withhold material including the 911 call, video evidence and police reports while they petitioned the Attorney General to keep the files sealed.
The unusual move – given that similar records are routinely released in active investigations, even when criminal charges are pending – has fueled accusations of favoritism toward Gonzales, whose political influence looms large in Uvalde.
A local councilman, Ernest Santos, publicly questioned what appeared to be an endorsement of Gonzales by Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado while the congressman campaigns for re-election.
'Here we have a chief of police endorsing this candidate, and we have this happen with an employee of Tony Gonzales. We must remain neutral. We need to make sure we do everything by the book,' Santos told the
Express-News.
Following the criticism, Delgado said Gonzales had used his name without authorization.
Gonzales's team quietly removed the endorsement post from campaign social media pages shortly after.
For help and support, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988.
