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Months Before Death by Suicide, Aide Texted Colleague She Had an Affair with Her Boss, Rep. Tony Gonzales
Regina Ann Santos-Aviles died by self-immolation amid depression linked to an affair with Rep. Tony Gonzales, with staff warning ignored, her husband’s lawyer said the relationship was an open secret.
- Regina Santos-Aviles, a former aide to Rep. Tony Gonzales, died in September after setting herself on fire in Bexar County, with the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruling her death a suicide by self-immolation.
- The San Antonio Express-News reported that Regina Santos-Aviles told a coworker she had an affair with Gonzales in 2024, sharing a screenshot acknowledging the 'affair with our boss,' according to the paper.
- Her husband's lawyer said he does not believe the romantic relationship with Gonzales played a role in her death, according to The San Antonio Express-News, while an unnamed staffer said she spiraled into depression after her husband discovered the affair.
- Authorities said there was no evidence of foul play, and Gonzales responded that he denied affair rumors at a Texas Tribune festival in November, with records requested from the Uvalde Police Department.
- Facing a tough primary, Gonzales represents the sprawling border district and received President Donald Trump's endorsement in December.
31 Articles
31 Articles
Texas Republican's staffer fatally set herself on fire last year — text now seems to confirm their alleged affair
A newly released text message appears to substantiate rumors that Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) had an affair with a staffer who later fatally self-immolated. Regina Santos-Aviles reportedly sent a message to her co-worker in April 2025 saying she had an affair with Gonzales, who himself is married and has children. 'You blame me? Are you kidding me?'“I had [an] affair with our boss and I’m fine,” the now-deceased 35-year-old aide said in a text …
San Antonio Express-News
Rep. Tony Gonzales attacks primary opponent amid reporting of affair
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, blamed his GOP opponent Brandon Herrera for politicizing the death of his former staffer on Wednesday.
Texas congressman attacks opponent amid reporting of alleged affair with aide who died by suicide
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales blamed his opponent for politicizing the death of his former staffer, a day after reports they had an affair. The staffer died by suicide by setting herself on fire.
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