EXCLUSIVE: Autopsy Reveals GOP Rep’s Alleged Affair Partner Under Influence Before Self-Immolation
The autopsy of Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales’ alleged partner reveals she was under the influence before her death.
The autopsy of former Gonzales Regional District Manager Regina Ann Santos-Aviles shows 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 that his death was the result of self-immolation.
Santos-Aviles’ blood toxicology report also indicates she was under the influence of alcohol, with a blood alcohol level of 0.094 percent. A prescribed dose of an amphetamine was also detected. A blood alcohol content of 0.08% 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 having an affair with a young married staffer who ultimately set herself on FIRE after her husband found out and all was revealed.
It’s so shameful. pic.twitter.com/8UhXddYyQP
– Éric Spracklen 🇺🇸 (@EricSpracklen) February 24, 2026
The report notes that Santos-Aviles suffered burns over nearly 100 percent of his body. Surveillance footage showed her pouring liquid on herself and setting herself on fire in the backyard of her home in Uvalde, Texas, in September 2025, according to the autopsy.
After her death, text messages surfaced showing Gonzales pressuring the staffer for explicit images and information, even though she said he was going “too far,” the San Antonio Express-News first reported.
When asked on February 24 whether the alleged messages between him and Santos-Aviles were authentic, he refused to answer. “I’m not going to resign, I work every day for the people of Texas,” he told a reporter. “And there will be an opportunity for all the details and all the facts to be revealed. What you saw does not represent all the facts.”
BREAKING: After publicly denying an affair with a staffer so distraught she committed suicide, Congressman Tony Gonzales’ staff has come forward. “It was an open secret.”
They revealed text messages confirming this. Tony is currently trailing his challenger Brandon Herrera. pic.twitter.com/wnXIJK65il
– Kathy Barnette (@Kathy4Truth) February 18, 2026
President Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday morning that he planned to meet with Gonzales amid calls for his resignation. (RELATED: GOP lawmaker accused of steamy affair with staffer receiving visit from boss)
Johnson told reporters Monday that he didn’t think it was “time” to call for Gonzales’ resignation.
“I think we have to wait until more facts come out,” he told reporters.
Kentucky Republican 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 tough March 3 Republican primary in Texas against the same challenger he narrowly beat in the 2024 GOP runoff. Recent polling indicates he is losing voter support as he heads toward a heated rematch with Second Amendment activist and YouTube commentator Brandon Herrera.
The Daily Caller has reached out to Rep. Gonzales for comment.
