Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales’ alleged affair partner’s autopsy reveals she was under the influence before her death.
The autopsy of Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, Gonzales’ former Regional District Director, shows that her death was ruled a suicide by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to the report obtained by the Daily Caller. The document confirms her death was the result of self-immolation.
Santos-Aviles’ blood toxicology report also indicates she was under the influence of alcohol, with a 0.094% blood alcohol content (BAC). A prescribed dose of an amphetamine was also detected. A 0.08% BAC is considered legally intoxicated in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Poll Shows Brandon Herrera Overtaking Tony Gonzales In Key House Primary)
JUST IN: Rep. Tony Gonzales REFUSES to resign after text messages appear to show him to be having an affair with a young married female staffer who eventually set herself ON FIRE after her husband found out and it was all exposed.
This is so disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/8UhXddYyQP
— Eric Spracklen 🇺🇸 (@EricSpracklen) February 24, 2026
The report notes that Santos-Aviles suffered burns to nearly 100% of her body. Surveillance footage showed her pouring liquid on herself and setting herself on fire in her home’s backyard in Uvalde, Texas, in September 2025, according to the autopsy.
Following her death, text messages surfaced allegedly showing Gonzales pressing the staffer for explicit imagery and information despite her saying he was going “too far,” the San Antonio Express-News first reported.
When asked on Feb. 24 whether the alleged messages between him and Santos-Aviles were authentic, he declined to answer. “I am not going to resign, I work everyday for the people of Texas,” he told a reporter. “And there will be opportunity for all the details and facts to come out. What you have seen is not all the facts.”
BREAKING: After publicly denying an affair with a staffer so distraught, she took her own life, staff for Congressman Tony Gonzales have come forward. “It’s was an open secret.”
They revealed text messages confirming it. Tony is currently trailing challenger Brandon Herrera. pic.twitter.com/wnXIJK65il
— Kathy Barnette (@Kathy4Truth) February 18, 2026
Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday morning that he plans to meet with Gonzales amid calls for his resignation. (RELATED: GOP Lawmaker Accused Of Torrid Affair With Staffer Getting A Visit From The Boss)
Johnson told reporters Monday he doesn’t think “it’s time” to call for Gonzales to step down.
“I think we have to wait for more of the facts to come out,” he told reporters.
Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie joined Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Nancy Mace of South Carolina in calling for Gonzales’ immediate resignation, according to The Associated Press.
Gonzales now faces a difficult March 3 Republican primary in Texas against the same challenger he narrowly defeated in a 2024 GOP runoff. Recent polling indicates he is losing support among constituents as he heads into a heated rematch with Second Amendment activist and YouTube commentator Brandon Herrera.
The Daily Caller reached out to Rep. Gonzales for comment.
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