Officials have shared new details regarding the death of Regina Santos-Aviles, a congressional staffer who caught fire at her home earlier this month.
During the ongoing investigation, detectives submitted the home’s surveillance system to the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for analysis, Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
“Today, our agency received preliminary findings from DPS personnel confirming that Regina Santos-Aviles was alone in her backyard when the fire began, which ultimately caused significant injuries and required her transport to the emergency room,” Delgado said.
Authorities do not believe anyone else was involved but have not released additional details about how the fire started or Santos-Aviles’ manner of death.
The Uvalde Police Department is awaiting final reports from the Texas DPS Crime Laboratory and the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office, which could take several weeks.
“Unless new information emerges indicating criminal activity, our agency will not be providing further comments or media releases until those reports are finalized,” Delgado said.
“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,” Delgado added. “I am deeply saddened by her passing and extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends as they navigate this very difficult time.”
Emergency medical services, along with the police and fire departments, were first called to the home on Saturday, Sept. 13, shortly after 9:30 p.m. local time, the Uvalde Police Department previously confirmed to PEOPLE.
Local authorities told the San Antonio Express-News that Santos-Aviles, 35, was on fire when they arrived.
“When we arrived, we learned of a fire behind the residence that had been put out with a fire extinguisher,” fire chief Mario Range told the outlet. “At the same time, EMS personnel were attending to a female who had suffered burns. She was transported by EMS and, at some point, flown to a San Antonio hospital.”
She was pronounced dead the following morning, according to KSAT and Texas Public Radio.
The Uvalde Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Rangers Division are leading the investigation. Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado previously said there was no indication of foul play.
Her family has said they believe her death was accidental, according to the San Antonio Express-News and KSAT, which noted that a water hose was found outside her home.
Santos-Aviles’ mother, Nora Ann Gonzalez, came over after speaking to her daughter on the phone that night. She said her daughter seemed upset but busy with chores.
When she arrived, she found her daughter outside and burned, though still conscious when EMS arrived.
“The last thing she said is, ‘I don’t want to die,’ ” her mother told the outlet. “And they told her, ‘We will do our best to make sure we get you taken care of.’ ”
She leaves behind an 8-year-old son, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
Santos-Aviles’ LinkedIn profile shows she began her role as a regional director for the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2021.
“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news. Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community,” Rep. Tony Gonzales said in a statement according to Texas Public Radio. “She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.”
