By Staff Writer | July 30, 2025
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family of Israel Perez, 62, longtime postmaster in Smiley, who died on July 25 after sustaining third-degree burns in a house fire authorities say was intentionally set.
The fire occurred on July 14 at a residence in Nixon. Perez, the only occupant inside at the time, was airlifted to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition until his passing. According to Nixon Police Lt. Travis Beck, the fire investigation—conducted jointly by local police, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Texas DPS Rangers—determined that the blaze was deliberately set.
Delia Ann Trigo, 64, Perez’s wife, was arrested later that day and charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury to a family member and arson. She remains jailed at the Gonzales County Jail with bond set at $500,000.
🔗 Verified Fundraiser
Perez’s sister-in-law, Sulema Allen, has organized a GoFundMe campaign titled:
➡️ Support Israel Perez’s Funeral Expenses
Allen states: “My brother-in-law passed away on 7/25/25 in San Antonio. He got burned in a house fire. Raising money for his funeral expenses.”
The fundraiser aims to help the family bury Perez and honor his memory.