{"id":15679,"date":"2025-10-22T12:48:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T12:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/15679\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T12:48:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T12:48:21","slug":"texas-congressmans-staffer-died-amid-alleged-affair-with-lawmaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/15679\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas congressman’s staffer died amid alleged affair with lawmaker"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales’ staffer<\/a> was reportedly involved in a romantic relationship with the GOP lawmaker before her tragic death, according to reports released on Monday.<\/a><\/p>\n

Multiple reports have alleged that Regina Santos-Aviles and the married congressman had an affair while she served on his staff<\/a>. Gonzales’ spokesperson reportedly refused to deny the affair when provided the opportunity by the media. Their romantic relationship continued for “some time,” and Santos-Aviles’ husband (who she was reportedly separated from) was aware of the affair.<\/p>\n

Updates surrounding the news of Santos-Aviles’ death confirmed what was preliminarily reported by Current Revolt.<\/a> Santos-Aviles, 35, the Uvalde Regional District Director for Gonzales, reportedly doused herself with gasoline and set herself on fire in September.<\/p>\n

The Uvalde Police Department and the Texas Rangers are investigating Santos-Aviles’ death. Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado initially referred to the incident as a “tragic loss,”<\/a> noting that there was no indication of foul play. Reports indicate that the Uvalde Police Department is blocking the release of the 911 and other evidence related to the event.<\/p>\n

Cameras reportedly installed at Santos-Aviles’ Uvalde home allegedly caught her death on camera. The Uvalde PD told the media<\/a> that it has turned the video over to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab for review. Investigators have not released a cause of death.<\/p>\n

KSAT in San Antonio<\/a> previously spoke to Santos-Aviles’ family, who insisted her\u00a0death was an accident. They added that her last words were, “I don’t want to die.”<\/p>\n

Gonzales has yet to comment on the updated reports, but at the time of Santos-Aviles’ death, he said his team was “heart-stricken by the news.”<\/p>\n

“Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in the community,” Gonzales wrote in a statement. “She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.”<\/p>\n

The team confirmed that she was neither terminated nor did she resign before her death, and was a “valued member of our team” until the incident.<\/p>\n

More News<\/p>\n

Politics | Latina Democrat enters 2026 Texas governor battle<\/a>
Gulf Coast | Strange boxes found on Texas beaches carry a toxic secret<\/a>
History | How a 1973 homicide led Houston to a notorious serial killer<\/a>
Money | Here’s how much you need to live comfortably in Houston<\/a><\/p>\n

For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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