What befell this vibrant and ambitious woman?

Regina Santos-Aviles, a 35-year-old congressional staffer for U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, was found severely burned outside her home in Uvalde and later died at a San Antonio hospital. Her final words and dedicated life of service have left the community mourning. The Texas Rangers and Uvalde Police Department are investigating her death following a disturbing incident at her home on Saturday night.

Authorities responded to a report of a disturbance at her residence on Geraldine Avenue, where Santos-Aviles was found on fire outside the house. Officials confirmed that she suffered severe burns. Emergency responders arrived while she was still conscious and airlifted her to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. According to her mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, her last words were, “I don’t want to die.” Responders reassured her, saying, “We will do our best to take care of you.”

Moments before the incident, Santos-Aviles had been on the phone with her mother. She was distraught and asked about her son. When her mother arrived, she found her daughter injured outside the home. She described the death as an accident.

Records show that the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department received a call at 9:39 p.m. reporting a person on fire. Although the call was later canceled, firefighters still responded due to the proximity of the residence. Fire Chief Mario Rangel said firefighters found a fire behind the house that had been put out with a fire extinguisher. EMS crews were treating Santos-Aviles and transported her for emergency medical care.