Texas AG blocks release of records on death of Rep. Tony Gonzales' staffer

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales speaks during a one-on-one discussion at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival in Austin. Credit: Michael Karlis

The details about the puzzling death of a staffer for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, will remain shrouded in mystery after the Texas Attorney General’s Office blocked the release of records tied to the fatality.

The AG’s office made the ruling after several media outlets requested the release of records from the Bexar County Medical Examiner on the death of staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, including copies of the autopsy report, investigators’ notes, toxicology results and more, the Express-News reports.

The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office petitioned the AG to intervene and rule on the request, arguing that the information “relates to an ongoing criminal case,” according to the daily.

Even so, the Bexar DA’s request came after the county medical examiner officially ruled Santos-Aviles death a suicide. What’s more, police have said there’s no indication anyone else is involved.

The AG’s office has yet to rule on media requests for 911 calls and other records from Uvalde County, however.

This week’s state ruling is the latest twist in the death of Santos-Aviles, whom police say set herself on fire at her Uvalde home on Sept. 13. She died of her injuries the following day at a hospital in San Antonio.

In October, British tabloid The Daily Mail alleged Gonzales, who’s married and has six children, had an affair with Santos-Aviles prior to her death. The congressman denied the report during an appearance at last month’s Texas Tribune Festival.

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Texas AG blocks release of records on death of Rep. Tony Gonzales’ staffer

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