The quiet city of Uvalde, Texas, was shaken over the weekend by the tragic death of Regina Santos-Aviles, a respected congressional staffer for U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales. The incident, which unfolded on the night of September 13, 2025, has left the community reeling and prompted a thorough investigation by local and state authorities.
According to multiple reports, including coverage from KSAT, San Antonio Express-News, and MySA, emergency crews were dispatched to the 200 block of Geraldine Avenue in Uvalde after a 911 call reported a woman on fire at approximately 9:30 p.m. The woman was later identified as 35-year-old Regina Santos-Aviles, who served as Regional District Director for Congressman Gonzales since November 2021. The call was initially canceled by dispatch, who indicated the fire was already out, but firefighters proceeded due to the proximity of the residence to the station.
Upon arrival, firefighters found that a small fire behind the home had been extinguished with a fire extinguisher. EMS personnel were already attending to Santos-Aviles in the front yard. Despite suffering extensive burns, she was reportedly awake and alert when first responders arrived. Her mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, told San Antonio Express-News she was on the phone with her daughter during the ordeal. "It was an accident," she said, describing how she rushed to the house and found her daughter outside. Nora Ann recounted her daughter's final words: "I don't want to die." EMS assured her, "We will do our best to make sure we get you taken care of."
Santos-Aviles was quickly transported by ambulance and then airlifted to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, a facility known for its specialized burn treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she died early the next morning, September 14, 2025, at 6:34 a.m., as confirmed by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office. The official cause and manner of death remain pending and could take between 12 to 16 weeks to determine, according to statements from the Medical Examiner’s Office reported by San Antonio Express-News.
The Uvalde Police Department, in coordination with the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Santos-Aviles’s death. Police Chief Homer Delgado emphasized that, "There is no indication of foul play at this time regarding the death of Santos-Aviles." Delgado added, "As your Chief of Police, my heart goes out to the family and friends who are grieving. In times of loss, our greatest duty is to stand together, support one another, and honor the memory of those we have lost." The investigation is ongoing, and public information remains limited as authorities continue to gather evidence and await autopsy results.
Family members have been fully cooperating with investigators. Nora Ann Gonzales, speaking to San Antonio Express-News, described her daughter as a devoted mother to her eight-year-old son and a loving member of the community. "She loved life and loved her family and loved everyone and loved doing for others," her mother said. "She loved the work that she did and how she helped the communities get funding for things they needed." The family is devastated but holding on to their faith as they process the loss.
Regina Santos-Aviles was well-known in Uvalde, not just for her government service but also for her previous roles with the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce, the Uvalde Area Development Foundation, and the Uvalde County Fairplex. According to her LinkedIn profile, she spearheaded regional development initiatives and represented Congressman Gonzales throughout the district, which stretches from the western suburbs of San Antonio to El Paso and encompasses much of Texas’s border with Mexico.
Congressman Tony Gonzales, representing Texas’s 23rd Congressional District, released a heartfelt statement mourning her loss. "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," Gonzales said, as cited by San Antonio Express-News and KSAT. The congressman’s office has not released further details, citing respect for the privacy of the family during this difficult time.
Fire Chief Mario Rangel of the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department provided additional details to San Antonio Express-News, explaining that firefighters received the call at 9:39 p.m. Saturday. Despite the dispatch cancellation, four firefighters still responded due to the home’s proximity. "When we arrived, we learned of a fire behind the residence that had been put out with a fire extinguisher," 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."
The case was initially reported as a disturbance, and all unattended deaths in Uvalde are investigated as a matter of standard procedure. Police sources reiterated there was no sign of foul play, and the family’s cooperation has been noted throughout the process. "This is an ongoing criminal investigation; therefore, public information is limited," said Juli R. Alvarado, Uvalde Police Department Public Information Officer, in a statement to KTSM.
Regina Santos-Aviles’s sudden and tragic death has struck a deep chord in Uvalde, a city still healing from recent tragedies and now faced with another loss of a dedicated public servant. As the investigation continues, her family, colleagues, and community members are left to remember a woman who, by all accounts, poured her heart and energy into helping others and making her hometown a better place.
For now, the people of Uvalde are left with unanswered questions and heavy hearts, waiting for clarity while holding onto the memory of a woman whose life was defined by service, compassion, and a deep commitment to her community.
