- Three young women have been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of 32-year-old Caroline "Caro" Peña in Del Rio, Texas.
- Peña, a mother of five, suffered multiple stab wounds and died after being transferred to a hospital in San Antonio.
- The suspects, identified as Kitty Mia Diaz, Amaya Cookie Diaz, and Kyandra Renee Faz, were arrested shortly after the incident.
DEL RIO, TEXAS — Just over a month after a 10-year-old boy was charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of a 13-year-old Houston girl, another Texas stabbing case has left a family grieving and a community demanding answers. This time, three young women have been charged with murder after 32-year-old Caroline “Caro” Peña, a mother of five, was fatally stabbed in Del Rio.
The attack happened on Thursday, June 25. Police said officers were called to Val Verde Regional Medical Center at about 2:10 p.m. after receiving a report that a woman had arrived with multiple stab wounds.
Investigators later determined that the assault happened in the 800 block of East 10th Street.
Stabbing Reported Near Busy Area
According to police, Peña’s injuries were severe enough that she was transferred from Val Verde Regional Medical Center to a medical facility in San Antonio for emergency treatment.
Local reports said the attack happened near a busy commercial area close to a Sonic drive-through. Friends said the violence happened in broad daylight, making the case even more disturbing for people who knew Peña and for residents who recognized the area.
Images and videos connected to the aftermath briefly circulated online before being removed, according to local reporting. One image reportedly showed Peña injured but still standing after the confrontation.
Police have not publicly released a full account of what led to the stabbing.
Three Suspects Identified
Del Rio police said detectives reviewed surveillance video, processed evidence, and interviewed numerous witnesses as they worked to identify suspects.
Within about two hours of the hospital call, officers located and arrested two sisters: 21-year-old Kitty Mia Diaz and 19-year-old Amaya Cookie Diaz. Police said both were taken into custody without incident at about 4 p.m.
A third suspect, 21-year-old Kyandra Renee Faz, was arrested a short time later.
All three women were transported to the Del Rio Police Department for booking and processing. After Peña died from her injuries, Diaz, Diaz, and Faz were each charged with murder.
Arrest Footage Draws Attention
Footage taken outside the Diaz sisters’ home later drew attention online because of the suspects’ behavior as police escorted them to patrol vehicles.
The video showed officers leading the sisters away in handcuffs. Local and national reports said one of the sisters appeared to smile while being taken into custody, while another appeared to react to the person recording.
That footage spread quickly after the arrests, adding to public outrage surrounding the case. However, the criminal case itself will depend on evidence gathered by investigators, including surveillance footage, witness statements, and any physical evidence connected to the stabbing.
The charges remain allegations. All three suspects are presumed innocent unless they enter guilty pleas or are found guilty in court.
Victim Remembered as a Devoted Mother
Friends identified the victim as Caroline “Caro” Peña and described her as a devoted mother who cared deeply for her five children.
One childhood friend said Peña loved being a mom and was known for helping others, even when she did not have much to give. Friends said she was the type of person who would share clothes, household items, or anything else she had if someone needed help.
Another close friend said she had missed a call from Peña shortly before the attack and later recognized her from an image that appeared online. She said Peña was still conscious at the hospital before being transferred to San Antonio.
Peña’s oldest child is reportedly 17 and close to graduating high school.
Motive Still Unknown
Police have not publicly released a motive for the stabbing.
As of the latest reports, investigators were still working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Del Rio police said the case remains active and that additional charges may be filed as more evidence is reviewed.
The three suspects were transported to the GEO Correctional Facility in Val Verde County, where police said they were being held pending magistration.
For Peña’s family and friends, the arrests are only the beginning of the legal process. The case now moves forward as investigators continue building the timeline of what happened before, during, and after the fatal stabbing.
For more cases involving deadly stabbings, young suspects, and murder investigations, check out our video here:
