Sisters and Friend Charged with Murder in Broad Daylight Stabbing Death of Texas Mother of Five

DEL RIO, Texas — Three young women, including two sisters, have been charged with murder in the brutal stabbing death of 32-year-old Caroline “Caro” Peña, a beloved stay-at-home mother of five who was attacked in broad daylight at a busy intersection in this South Texas border town.

Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, her sister Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, 19, and their 21-year-old friend Kyandra Renee Faz were arrested Thursday and formally charged with murder, according to the Del Rio Police Department. The trio is being held in the Val Verde County Jail on combined bail totaling $15 million.

The attack occurred around 2 p.m. near the corner of a Sonic restaurant on a main street in Del Rio. Police said the three suspects surrounded Peña and stabbed her multiple times. Witnesses reported that the victim bravely fought back against her attackers before collapsing. She was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to a facility in San Antonio, where she succumbed to her injuries around 9 p.m. Thursday.

Peña was the mother of five children ranging in age from 17 to 3, including two with special needs. Friends and family described her as a devoted and joyful parent who made motherhood look effortless and served as both a mother and close friend to her kids.

Zelina Ochoa, a childhood friend of Peña, told local media while fighting back tears: “She was one of those people that she was born to be a mom. She really loved being a mom.”

A disturbing photo reportedly taken during the incident showed Peña standing with blood soaking through her pink shirt as the suspects surrounded her. The image, which was briefly posted to a local Facebook page before being deleted, captured the chaotic and violent nature of the attack.

Disturbing video footage from the arrests showed at least one of the suspects smiling and giggling as they were taken into custody, adding to the shocking public reaction to the case.

The Del Rio Police Department has not yet released a motive for the attack, and the investigation is ongoing. Police have urged anyone with additional information to come forward.

The case has sent shockwaves through the small community, where such violence is rare, and has drawn widespread attention across Texas and beyond due to the brazen nature of the daytime assault and the ages of those involved.

Peña’s family has established a GoFundMe to support her five children in the wake of this tragedy, highlighting the profound impact on the young family left behind.

As the suspects await further court proceedings, the Del Rio Police Department and Val Verde County authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the fatal stabbing.

This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the sudden and devastating impact of violent crime, even in communities where residents typically feel safe.