Texas Congressional Aide's Tragic Suicide Linked to Husband's Infidelity
Newly released police records have revealed that Regina Aviles, a 35-year-old congressional aide from Texas, took her own life by self-immolation in September 2025 after discovering her husband had cheated on her with her best friend. The incident occurred in Uvalde, Texas, and has intensified calls for her alleged lover, Representative Tony Gonzales, to end his re-election campaign in Texas's 33rd Congressional District.
Final Messages and Desperate Acts
According to reports from the San Antonio Express News, Aviles sent a furious text message to her husband, Adrian Aviles, upon learning of his infidelity. In a chilling final act, she texted Adrian's best friend, Joshua Garza, stating, 'Tell Baller I'm setting myself on fire right now, so have fun raising our son,' while filming herself dousing her body with gasoline. Surveillance footage captured her setting herself ablaze moments later, followed by her rolling in the grass and using a garden hose in a futile attempt to extinguish the flames.
At 9:30 PM, Aviles called 911, pleading for help and expressing regret, telling dispatchers, 'I don't want to die' and 'it hurts so bad.' Despite emergency responders airlifting her to a hospital, she succumbed to her injuries the next day, leaving behind an eight-year-old son.
Alleged Affair with Congressman Tony Gonzales
The tragedy has drawn attention to allegations of an affair between Aviles and Representative Tony Gonzales, a married father of six who has positioned himself as a family man. Daily Mail initially reported the alleged relationship in October, with Adrian Aviles confirming it in February. Text messages obtained by the outlet suggest Gonzales pressured Aviles for intimate photos and discussed sexual preferences, with explicit exchanges dating back to May 2024.
Gonzales has publicly denied the affair on one occasion in November, calling rumors 'completely untruthful,' but has since avoided further comment. He recently urged police to release documents, claiming he was being blackmailed over the incident. The Republican congressman, endorsed by former President Trump, faces bipartisan calls to resign but has resisted stepping down.
Background and Aftermath
Aviles joined Gonzales's congressional staff in November 2021, with the alleged romantic relationship beginning in 2022, as per an anonymous former staffer. Adrian Aviles believes Gonzales initiated the affair, citing text messages where his wife initially rebuffed advances due to professional boundaries. After discovering the infidelity in June 2025, the couple attempted marriage counseling, but Adrian moved out with their son when reconciliation failed.
Garza, who received the final text from Aviles, informed investigators that she had a history of mental health issues, including psychiatric hospital treatment in her youth. The autopsy revealed Aviles was intoxicated at the time of her death.
Political and Ethical Implications
The case raises ethical concerns, as House Rule 23 prohibits members of Congress from engaging in sexual relationships with subordinates. Gonzales's re-election campaign continues amid scrutiny, with Adrian Aviles considering releasing further text messages to expose the truth while protecting his son. The incident underscores broader issues of power dynamics and mental health in political workplaces.
