Congressional staffer, 35, doused herself in gasoline before she caught fire and burned to death

A Texas congressional staffer doused herself in gasoline before she caught fire and died, investigators said.

Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, was found engulfed in flames at her Uvalde home on September 13.

She was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center but died from her injuries the next morning.

Santos-Aviles, remembered by friends and family as a ‘devoted mother’ to her eight-year-old son, served as the regional district director for Republican US Representative Tony Gonzales since 2021.

Police officers told the firefighters that she had, ‘doused herself in gasoline and was ignited into flames,’ according to a Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department report obtained by Uvalde Leader-News.

The Department of Public Safety determined she was alone at the time of the fire after reviewing home surveillance video.

Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado said there was no indication of foul play, but the Texas Rangers are helping complete their investigation.

Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, a staffer for Republican US Representative Tony Gonzales, allegedly ‘doused herself in gasoline’ before she caught fire and died

She was found engulfed in flames at her Uvalde home (pictured) on September 13. Investigators determined she was home alone at the time

Santos-Aviles’s mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, described the incident as a tragic accident and said that her daughter’s final words were: ‘I don’t want to die.’

‘When we arrived, we learned of a fire behind the residence that had been put out with a fire extinguisher,’ the fire department chief Mario Rangel told the San Antonio Express-News.

In a statement, Congressman Tony Gonzales said: ‘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.’

Police said they were called to Santos-Aviles’s home in Uvalde at around 9.30pm, according to a call sheet obtained by KSAT.

The Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department also received a call at 9.39pm for an ‘individual who was on fire’.

The call was canceled, but firefighters still attended to the home since it was close to the station.

Santos-Aviles’s mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, described the incident as a tragic accident and that her daughter’s final words were: ‘I don’t want to die’

She is survived by her husband, Adrian (right), and their son, Axel. Her obituary described her as ‘a devoted mother, a loving daughter, sister, and wife and a loyal friend’

By the time they arrived, the fire had been put out.

Fire department chief Mario Rangel said: ‘At the same time, EMS personnel were attending to a female who had suffered burns.

‘She was transported by EMS and, at some point, flown to a San Antonio hospital.’

Her mother claimed that her daughter’s death was an accident, and that there was a water hose outside of the home.

Santos-Aviles was described as, ‘a devoted mother, a loving daughter, sister, and wife and a loyal friend.’

‘Regina lit up every room she entered. She carried herself with grace and confidence that inspired those around her. Her smile was contagious, and her laugh made you feel like you were part of an inside joke, a gift she shared generously with family, friends, and even strangers fortunate enough to cross her path,’ her obituary said.

‘At her core, Regina was a woman of heart and service. She cared deeply for her community and was always willing to step in and help. Whether through her work or through the simple kindness she showed each day, Regina had a way of making others feel seen, valued, and supported.

‘Her greatest pride and joy was her son, Axel. Every decision she made and every dream she pursued was rooted in her love for him.’