Mysterious Death Of GOP Staffer Under Investigation

The sudden death of a young Republican congressional staffer is perplexing investigators in Texas who remain in the dark about its mysterious circumstances.

Regina Santos-Aviles, an aide to Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), remains under investigation, authorities with the Uvalde Police Department confirmed this week. Texas Rangers are also participating in the search for evidence about what caused Santos-Aviles collapsed on Saturday night.

She was transported to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A report from the Bexar County Medical Examiner confirms that Santos-Aviles died at 6:34 a.m. on Sunday morning but lists no official cause of death, News 4 San Antonio reported. Fellow station KSAT reported that the cause and manner of death remain under investigation.

UPD Chief Homer Delgado said in a statement on Monday that there was no sign of foul play or a struggle at Santos-Aviles’ home, where they found her unconscious.

“We are working closely with the victim’s family, who are fully cooperating with our investigators during this difficult time. At this point, there is no indication of foul play. As is our standard procedure, all unattended deaths are investigated,” he said.

Delgado urged the local community to remain supportive of family members and neighbors and let officers conduct their investigation.

“In times of loss, our greatest duty is to stand together, support one another, and honor the memory of those we have lost,” the police chief said.

Santos-Aviles, 35, previously worked at the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce before taking a position with Rep. Gonzales’s office in 2021, where she served as a local district director. The GOP lawmaker quoted scripture in a social media post about his aide’s untimely death.

“‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:16,” he wrote.

A representative for the Rangers did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller.

However, the Daily Mail reported that Santos-Aviles allegedly caught fire inside her own home before, according to family members who spoke with the outlet.

The young woman’s mother arrived on the evening of Sept. 13 to find her in distress and called 911.

Santos-Aviles was remembered as a “devoted mother” to her eight-year-old son.

Nora Ann Gonzales, Santos-Aviles’s mother, revealed her daughter struggled and that her final words were, “I don’t want to die.”

“When we arrived, we learned of a fire behind the residence that had been put out with a fire extinguisher,” the fire department chief, Mario Rangel, told the San Antonio Express-News.

In a statement, Congressman Gonzales said, “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.”