There remain more questions than answers surrounding the death of Regina Santos-Aviles last week. It could be weeks before more clarity arrives.
SAN ANTONIO — Uvalde police officials say a woman was alone in her backyard when she somehow caught fire, suffered “significant injuries” and later died from those injuries earlier this month.
The preliminary findings, which Uvalde PD said it received from the Texas Department of Public Safety, create more questions than answers in the ongoing investigation surrounding what happened to Regina Santos-Avila before her death on Sept. 14. She worked as a regional district director for Congressman Tony Gonzales.
“At this stage of the investigation, we do not have any information to suggest that anyone else was involved,” Uvalde PD Chief Homer Delgado said in a release, adding his agency was still awaiting reports from the DPS Crime Laboratory and Bexar County medical examiner.
It could be several more weeks before that information is provided, according to officials.
Delgado had previously said there were no indications of foul play, calling it “standard procedure” for his department to look into all “unattended deaths.”
Uvalde fire officials previously confirmed to KENS 5 that a crew responded to “a report of a female on fire” at Santos-Avila’s home address, saying she had severe burns but “was no longer on fire” when EMS arrived. Firefighters, meanwhile, tended to a small fire on the property.
According to LinkedIn, she had worked for Gonzales since 2021. The third-term Texas Republican said in a statement that Santos-Aviles will be remembered for working to make a difference in the lives of Texans.
“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news,” he wrote. “She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.”
Delgado himself said he was affected by the death of Santos-Avila, a community figure he said he’d worked with on multiple projects over the years and considered a friend.
“I am deeply saddened by her passing and extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends as they navigate this very difficult time,” he said in a statement.