EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Uvalde Police Department recently confirmed that Regina Santos-Aviles was alone in her backyard when the fire began and that they do not have any information that suggests anyone else was involved.
As KTSM 9 News has previously reported, Santos-Aviles, 35, a congressional staffer for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, died after she caught on fire at her residence on Saturday, Sept. 13, in Uvalde, Texas.
Police say that they received preliminary findings from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Tuesday, Sept. 23, that confirm that Santos-Aviles was alone in her backyard when the fire began, which ultimately caused significant injuries.
Santos-Aviles was then transported to a local hospital, where she later died as a result of her injuries.
Police say they do not have any information that suggests that anyone else was involved in the incident, and all unattended deaths are examined as a standard procedure.
Police say they are currently awaiting final reports from the Texas DPS Crime Laboratory and the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“This tragic event has deeply affected our community. On a personal note, I had the privilege
of working with Regina for several years on various projects and came to consider her 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.”Uvalde Police Department Chief Homer E. Delgado
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