Texas Mother of Five Stabbed to Death in Broad Daylight; Sisters Kitty and Cookie Diaz and Accomplice Charged with Murder as Chilling Details of Attack Emerge

DEL RIO, Texas — A 32-year-old stay-at-home mother of five was fatally stabbed in a brazen daytime attack at a busy intersection here on Thursday, with authorities charging two sisters and their friend with murder in what witnesses described as a sudden and violent ambush.

Caroline “Caro” Peña, who was the primary caregiver for her children ranging in age from 17 to 3 — including two with special needs — was attacked around 2 p.m. near the corner of a Sonic restaurant on the main street of Del Rio. Police allege that 21-year-old Kitty Mia Diaz, her 19-year-old sister Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, and their 21-year-old friend Kyandra Renee Faz surrounded Peña and repeatedly stabbed her with weapons.

According to investigators and witness accounts, Peña fought back vigorously against the three suspects despite being outnumbered. A disturbing photo reportedly taken during the incident — later deleted from a local Facebook page — showed Peña standing with blood soaking through the back of her pink shirt, refusing to back down as the attackers closed in.

Peña was rushed to a local hospital and then transferred to a facility in San Antonio, where she succumbed to her injuries around 9 p.m. Thursday.

The three suspects were arrested shortly afterward and are being held in the Val Verde County Jail on combined $15 million bail. All three face murder charges, and the investigation remains active as authorities work to determine a motive.

Disturbing video footage from the arrest showed at least one of the suspects smiling and giggling, adding to the shocking nature of the case that has left the small border community reeling.

Peña was remembered by those who knew her as a dedicated mother who “made parenting look easy” and was both a mom and a best friend to her children. A GoFundMe established for the family highlights the profound loss for her five kids, two of whom have special needs, including one who is autistic.

The Del Rio Police Department has not released further details on the motive or any prior relationship between the victim and the suspects, and did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This incident marks a tragic and highly public act of violence in a community where such events are rare. Community members have expressed shock that the attack occurred in broad daylight on a busy street with no apparent warning or verbal confrontation leading up to the violence.

The case is expected to draw significant attention as court proceedings advance, with the suspects scheduled to appear in court in the coming days.

Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Del Rio Police Department.

Our thoughts are with Peña’s children, extended family, and the entire Del Rio community as they grapple with this senseless loss.