A shocking and brutal murder unfolded in Del Rio, Texas, when three young women fatally stabbed 32-year-old Caroline Peña—a mother of five children aged 3 to 17, two of whom have special needs—on a busy street in broad daylight. Authorities have not yet disclosed a clear motive for the attack.
Witnesses Describe a Sudden, Unprovoked Assault
According to eyewitnesses, there was no prior argument or confrontation between Peña and the three suspects before the violent assault. A close friend of the victim described how Peña fought desperately for her life during the ambush carried out by the two sisters and their friend.
High Bail and Public Outrage
The suspects—19-year-old Amaya ‘Cookie’ Diaz, 21-year-old Kitty Mia Diaz, and 21-year-old Kyandra Renee Faz—are being held on $15 million bail. Notably, one of the accused is herself a young mother, prompting disbelief and anguish among Peña’s friends: “Why would a mother do this to another mother?” they asked. “She’ll only watch her son grow up through glass, while Caro’s children will have nothing but a headstone.”
Arrests and Timeline
Del Rio Police Department (DRPD) responded around 2:10 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, after reports of a woman suffering multiple stab wounds at East 10th Street. Due to the severity of her injuries, Peña was rushed to a medical facility in San Antonio for emergency treatment—but succumbed to her wounds around 9 p.m. that same day.
Surveillance footage and witness interviews led police to arrest all three suspects later that day. Video from the scene shows Amaya Diaz smiling during her arrest, while Kitty Mia Diaz appeared to pose for cameras—an unsettling contrast to the gravity of the crime.