A GOP congressional staffer from Texas tragically lost her life due to a fire in her home, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding her death. Regina Santos-Aviles, aged 35, was found ablaze by her mother in their Uvalde residence. Despite being rushed to Brooke Army Medical Center, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after dawn on Sunday. Her death leaves an 8-year-old son without a mother.
Emergency responders received a distress call around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Uvalde police arrived at the scene shortly after the call, followed by firefighters at 9:39 p.m. The initial report indicated there was an “individual who was on fire.” Although the call was later canceled, firefighters responded due to the proximity of the station, arriving to find the fire already extinguished.
Mario Rangel, Fire Department Chief, confirmed that emergency medical personnel were attending to a woman who had suffered burns at the scene. “She was transported by EMS and, at some point, flown to a San Antonio hospital,” he stated. The Bexar County Medical Examiner pronounced Santos-Aviles dead shortly after 6:30 a.m. Sunday, according to KSAT.
Regina Santos-Aviles had been with Rep. Tony Gonzales’s office since November 2021, serving as the regional district director. Her role involved leading regional development initiatives and representing Gonzales throughout the district. The congressman expressed his sorrow in a statement, saying, “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.”
Significantly, Santos-Aviles’s last words were reportedly, “I don’t want to die.” This poignant statement seems to suggest that suicide is not a factor in her death. Witnesses, including her mother, recounted that firefighters reassured her, saying, “We will do our best to make sure we get you taken care of.”
The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, led by the Uvalde Police Department and the Texas Rangers. As of now, there is no evidence to suggest foul play was involved.
This incident raises disturbing questions about safety and the circumstances that led to such a tragic outcome. The initial calls and rapid response of emergency services highlight the urgency of the situation, but the lack of clear answers leaves numerous uncertainties for Santos-Aviles’s friends and family and for the community she worked tirelessly to support.
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