Police have arrested three women and charged them with murder after a 32-year-old mother of five was stabbed repeatedly at a busy intersection, in Del Rio, Texas.
The suspects were identified as Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, her sister Amaya Cookie Diaz, 19, and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, according to a statement the Del Rio Police Department released on social media, as per Fox News.
According to police reports, the victim, Caroline “Caro” Peña, was attacked on June 25, 2026, around 2:10 p.m. near a Sonic drive-in, along one of the city’s most travelled corridors.
She had been stabbed twice in the back and once in the stomach, so she was immediately driven to Val Verd⁶e Regional Medical Center.
However, because of the extent of her injuries, medical staff later arranged for her to be airlifted to a facility in San Antonio for emergency treatment.
Sadly, she didn't make it and around 9 p.m, police were notified that Peña had died.
This led to a major investigation so Detectives used surveillance video, physical evidence and witness interviews to piece together what happened, and within hours they had identified the three suspects.
Kitty Diaz and Amaya Diaz were arrested without incident around 4 p.m., and Faz was taken into custody a short time later.
Authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive, and they said the investigation remains active with the possibility of additional charges as evidence is gathered.
Friends of Peña who spoke with news reporters described a woman who centered her life on her children and would give anything she had to help someone in need.
“She was one of those people that she was born to be a mom,” childhood friend Zelina Ochoa told KENS 5, holding back tears. “She really loved being a mom.”
Ochoa also noted how brazen the attack was, saying it did not happen in a secluded spot but rather “at the corner near Sonic on one of our busiest roads in broad daylight.”
Another friend, Christina Salinas, said she missed a phone call from Peña shortly before the stabbing and later saw a photo of her injured friend circulating on a community page.
Salinas said she immediately rushed to the hospital and was able to say goodbye before Peña was flown to San Antonio.
“I feel like if I would have answered that call, honestly I would have been there with her,” Salinas said. “It wouldn’t have gotten like that.” She added that even in her wounded state, Peña was fighting. “That girl, she was a fighter: She was still standing her ground.”
Peña is survived by her five children — the oldest a 17-year-old son — and a twin sister. Ochoa said Peña’s generosity was well known among those close to her.
“If you needed something and she had it, even if it was her last, she’d give it to you,” she said.
After their arrest, all three suspects were booked into the city jail before being transferred to the GEO Correctional Facility, where they remain as they await initial court appearances.
The Del Rio Police Department has asked anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.
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