Tragic Death of Representative’s Staffer in Home Fire

Regina Santos Aviles, a staff member for Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzalez, tragically died in a home fire on Saturday. The incident occurred in Ubarde, Texas.

Ubarde Police Chief Homer Delgado stated there were no indications of foul play. “It was an accident,” confirmed her mother, Nora Anne Gonzalez, noting that her daughter sustained serious burns.

According to reports, the local fire department had to respond despite the fire call being canceled partway through, likely due to the station’s proximity. “When we got there, we found a fire extinguisher had been used on the flames,” explained Fire Chief Mario Wrangel. Meanwhile, emergency medical services were present to assist Santos Aviles, who was subsequently transported to a hospital in San Antonio.

Gonzalez expressed his deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “We are devastated by the loss of Regina Santos Aviles, a cherished member of our team and an exceptional leader in the community. Her contributions to Ubarde and nearby areas will never be forgotten.”

Santos Aviles worked as the regional district director for lawmakers, as noted on her LinkedIn profile.

Delgado mentioned that the investigation into the incident will proceed as standard practice for unattended deaths, emphasizing that thorough reviews are vital. “So far, there are no signs of foul play,” he added, reassuring the community regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.