A congressional staffer died after a house fire in Uvalde, Texas, with authorities saying there were no immediate signs of foul play. Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, had served as the regional district director for Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales since 2021 and was found at the scene by her mother on the evening of Sept. 13. She was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and died the following morning, the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office said.

Her mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, told the San Antonio Express-News that the incident appeared to be a tragic accident and that Santos-Aviles's last words were, "I don't want to die." Fire department officials described responding to a fire behind the residence; at the scene, the blaze had been extinguished with a fire extinguisher, and responders tended to Santos-Aviles for burns before she was flown to a hospital in San Antonio.

Authorities were called to the Uvalde home around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, according to a call sheet reviewed by local outlets. The Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department also received a call at 9:39 p.m. for an "individual who was on fire." The initial call was later canceled, but firefighters attended because the home is near the station. By the time responders arrived, the fire had been extinguished, and EMS personnel were treating Santos-Aviles for burns; she was later transported by air to a San Antonio hospital.

Santos-Aviles had worked as the regional district director for Gonzales's office since November 2021. Congressman Gonzales issued a statement saying they are heart-stricken by the loss, noting that Santos-Aviles "devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community" and would be remembered for her "passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place."

Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado said there was no indication of foul play, and Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation.

Neighbors and colleagues described Santos-Aviles as a devoted mother to her eight-year-old son, and her death is mourned across the Uvalde community where she worked to help residents access services and resources. Records from the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office show that Santos-Aviles was pronounced dead at 6:34 a.m. on Sept. 14.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the fire’s cause.