Regina Santos-Aviles Biography – Regina Santos-Aviles Wiki

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, known professionally as Regi Aviles, served as a congressional aide for U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas’ expansive 23rd Congressional District. This district, the largest in the state, spans from the southwestern border to San Antonio. As detailed on her LinkedIn page, she took on the role of regional director with the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2021.

Santos-Aviles became embroiled in controversy over an alleged affair with Congressman Gonzales. Her spouse, Adrian Aviles, provided text messages to The Texas Tribune to substantiate claims of the affair. He informed the San Antonio Express-News, the first to publish these messages, that the discovery of the relationship and the subsequent social isolation Santos-Aviles experienced at work contributed to her distress before her passing.

The exchanged messages suggest that Gonzales pursued a sexual relationship with Santos-Aviles, contravening the 2018 House regulations that forbid such interactions between legislators and their aides. The texts reveal Gonzales’ persistent attempts to steer conversations into sexual territory, despite Santos-Aviles’ efforts to redirect them. During one exchange, after he requested a provocative photo, which she declined, he inquired about her “favorite position.” She countered by asking his preference, to which he replied, “on top pinning your legs.”

Santos-Aviles responded, “This is going too far boss,” yet Gonzales continued to press on. Eventually, discussions shifted to arranging a face-to-face meeting. Two days later, they spent several hours alone at a cabin owned by a former staffer’s family, as confirmed by that staffer to the Express-News.

Weeks after these events, Adrian Aviles uncovered the affair between his wife and Gonzales. Using her phone, he sent a group text to Gonzales and seven of his staff members, introducing himself as Santos-Aviles’ “soon to be ex-husband” and revealing the affair. Following this revelation, the couple decided to separate.

Regina Santos-Aviles Age

Born on June 12, 1990, in Uvalde, Texas, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles tragically passed away on September 14, 2025, at the age of 35.

Regina Santos-Aviles Husband

Regina Santos-Aviles was married to Adrian Aviles. She and her husband separated after Aviles discovered the affair between his wife and her boss. The couple had been estranged for several months, before she set herself on fire. Santos-Aviles told responding officers that she set herself on fire because her husband was romantically involved with her best friend.

Regina Santos-Aviles Children

Former congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles and her husband, Adrian Aviles, shared a son, Axel.

Regina Santos-Aviles Family

Santos-Aviles is survived by her husband, Adrian; her son, Axel; her mother, Nora Gonzales; her stepfather, Jaime Gonzales; her brother, Johnnie Santos; and her nieces, Isis and Amaya. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Delia Aviles; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Andrew and Becca Aviles; and their children, Ashlynn, Alexander, Azriel, Alyson, and Amaris. She was preceded in death by her father, Johnnie Santos Jr.

Death

Congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles died by suicide after setting herself on fire in the backyard of her Uvalde, Texas, home on Sept. 13, 2025. She doused herself in gasoline and sent a video of the act to her friend, asking him to tell Aviles to “have fun raising our son.” Soon after, Santos-Aviles called 911. According to a police officer who listened to the recording, she could be heard yelling, “Please send help, it burns so bad,” and “My God, I don’t want to die.” She was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center, where she died the next day.

“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news. Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community,” Rep. Tony Gonzales said in a statement according to Texas Public Radio. “She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.”