AUSTIN, Tx., November 14, 2025: In an update to a story, we have been covering for you since September, we have two updates to bring you today.
First up, as we originally reported back in late September, former staffer for Tony Gonzales (R-23) who represents parts of El Paso in congress, died on September 14 from burn injuries across her body after dousing herself in gasoline. We now know that the Bexar County Medical Examiner has ruled the Santos-Aviles’ cause of death as self-immolation.
Self-immolation is suicide by setting oneself on fire.
Suicide by self-immolation is uncommon but has a high mortality rate. A 2024 study noted “a significant increase” in suicide by self-immolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report added that there was also “an increased frequency of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses during the pandemic period.” The study did not offer conclusions to its findings, instead suggesting that more studies need to be conducted.
Suicide by self-immolation is “an act of extreme political protest,” according to police responding to Aaron Bushnell’s self-immolation outside the Israeli embassy in March. Bushnell was protesting the conditions in Palestine.
Although often portrayed as being infrequent in the U.S., suicide by self-immolation has “a long and often forgotten history of protest” in the country. It has become “a recognized protest tactic” since 1963.
Soon after news about Santos-Aviles’ suicide emerged, rumors about her having an affair with Tony Gonzales immediately started to circulate. The rumors were intensified by Gonzales’ refusal to answer questions.
Gonzales finally spoke out yesterday about his staffer’s suicide telling San Antonio’s KSAT that “the rumor [about an affair] are completely untrue.”
In October, the Daily Mail British tabloid reported that Gonzales was having an affair with his staffer without offering anything beyond the rumors circulating online.
Other than the British tabloid, no other news media outlet has reported the alleged affair,
Gonzales told the television station yesterday that he didn’t know “exactly what happened,” adding that “no one’s contacted” him about the incident.
Uvalde police have said that they do not expect to file any criminal charges in this incident to be filed. Officials are asking that the autopsy and police reports be kept confidential to protect the family’s privacy. No ruling has been made on keeping the reports confidential.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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