Tony Gonzales Alleged Affair as Aide Died in Fire

Multiple outlets report Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, who served as Rep. Tony Gonzales’s Uvalde regional director and was separated from her husband, allegedly had a months-long extramarital affair with the married congressman while on his staff. Santos-Aviles was found doused in gasoline and engulfed in flames outside her home on Sept. 13–14 and died hours later; fire and police reports indicate she poured gasoline on herself and authorities say there is no indication of foul play. Her family has said the death was accidental and that her last words were “I don’t want to die,” and surveillance footage of the incident has been obtained and turned over to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab as the Uvalde Police Department and Texas Rangers continue to investigate. Gonzales’s spokesman declined to deny the alleged affair, praised Santos-Aviles and condemned attempts to politicize her death, and several reports say Gonzales did not attend her funeral. The allegations are based on multiple anonymous sources and remain unconfirmed as investigators review evidence and withhold some materials from public release.