Caroline Pena: Texas Mom Stabbed to Death in Broad Daylight by Two Sisters and Their Friend as Trio Is Arrested

A 32-year-old mother of five was stabbed to death in broad daylight in Texas, allegedly by two sisters and a friend, according to police. The Del Rio Police Department announced the arrests of Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, Amaya Cookie Diaz, 19, and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, in a social media post on Friday.

The victim, Caroline “Caro” Peña, a 32-year-old mother of five, was stabbed multiple times in broad daylight, police said. She was taken to Val Verde Regional Medical Center shortly after 2 p.m. local time on Thursday. However, due of the severity of her injuries, she was later transferred to a hospital in San Antonio for emergency surgery.

Killed in Broad Daylight

Despite doctors’ efforts, Pena did not survive. Police were called to the medical center and later traced the attack to a home in Del Rio, a city of about 35,000 residents near the U.S.-Mexico border. Authorities have not revealed a motive, while Peña’s grieving and outraged family continues to demand answers.

“This wasn’t something that happened in a back alley. This happened at the corner near Sonic on one of our busiest roads in broad daylight,” Zelina Ochoa, Peña’s childhood friend, told KENS 5.

Ochoa said she and Peña first met as teenage mothers while attending the Cradles in the Classroom program for young parents.

Peña often looked after her son while she caught up on schoolwork, according to Ochoa. Later, when Ochoa moved into her first apartment, Peña gave her baby clothes, a television, a VHS player, and several videotapes.

“If you needed something and she had it, even if it was her last, she’d give it to you,” Ochoa said.

Friends Mourn Tragic Death

Another close friend, Christina Salinas, said she had spent the evening before the killing with Peña, cooking alongside Peña’s daughter. Salinas said Peña called her at 1:35 p.m. the next day, just minutes before the fatal confrontation, but she missed the call.

“I feel like if I would have answered that call, honestly I would have been there with her. It wouldn’t have gotten like that,” Salinas said.

Salinas later came across a photo on a community social media page showing a woman in a bloodstained shirt and immediately realized it was her best friend.

“Her hair was in the same bun. When I saw that, that’s all I needed to see was the back of her shirt. I knew it was her right off the bat,” Salinas said.

“That girl, she was a fighter. She was still standing her ground,” she added.

After learning what had happened, Salinas rushed to the hospital, where she was able to say goodbye to Peña. She said Peña was still able to speak, and she kissed her before she was airlifted to San Antonio for emergency treatment.

Sisters Kitty Diaz and Cookie Diaz were arrested without incident at around 4 p.m. Thursday, while Kyandra Renee Faz was taken into custody a short time later. All three were transported to the Del Rio Police Department for booking and processing, police said.

KENS 5 obtained video showing one of the Diaz sisters smiling at the camera moments before she was placed into a patrol car following her arrest.

Peña was pronounced dead at about 9 p.m. on Thursday. The three suspects were later charged with her murder and transferred to a correctional facility, where they remained in custody awaiting their initial court appearance as of Friday.