Del Rio, Texas — Investigators say the fatal stabbing of Caroline “Caro” Peña, a 32-year-old mother of five, was not a random act, as authorities continue to uncover new details about the ᴅᴇᴀᴅly confrontation that ended in her death.

According to Del Rio Police Chief Frank Ramirez, the three women charged in the case all knew Peña before the attack. Speaking with TMZ, Ramirez confirmed that Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, 19, and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, had a prior relationship with the victim, although he declined to disclose its nature.

All three women have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal attack, which occurred Thursday afternoon in Del Rio, Texas.

Investigators allege that the violence unfolded outside Faz’s residence after Peña arrived at the home. According to a criminal complaint obtained by The New York Post, Faz told police that Peña had come to the residence intending to start a fight. Authorities, however, have not publicly identified the motive behind the confrontation or explained what led to the dispute.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Peña arriving in her black Dodge pickup truck before Cookie and Kitty Diaz pulled up in a black Chrysler 300 a short time later.

According to court documents, Cookie exited the vehicle carrying what investigators believe was a knife before confronting Peña. Police allege that she stabbed Peña in the back, causing severe injuries.

Authorities further allege that Kitty Diaz and Kyandra Faz then joined the ᴀssault, striking and beating Peña before the three suspects fled the scene.

Peña was taken to a local hospital by her nephew before being transferred to a hospital in San Antonio, where she died from her injuries at approximately 9:00 p.m. that evening.

Chief Ramirez emphasized that Peña’s decision to go to Faz’s home should not be viewed as ᴀssigning blame to the victim.

“Her going there does not justify what happened,” Ramirez indicated, stressing that investigators remain focused on the actions of those accused in the killing.
Arrest Footage Draws Widespread Attention
Roughly two hours after the fatal attack, the three suspects were arrested.

Video recorded outside the Diaz sisters’ residence quickly circulated online, showing the two sisters appearing to smile as officers escorted them into patrol vehicles.

Independent journalist Michael Elizondo, who filmed the arrests, later described the sisters’ behavior as strikingly casual.

“I saw the first girl going into the car, and I thought, ‘Whatever.’ But the second one caught my eye. That girl was in a happy mood. She was all smiling, goofing off like nothing happened.”
Chief Ramirez also criticized the sisters’ demeanor following their arrests.

“My impression is it didn’t look good, and you would think there would be a little more remorse in a situation like that—it looked callous,” he told TMZ.
Murder Charges Filed
The three defendants appeared in court on Friday, where each requested a court-appointed attorney.

A judge set bond at $5 million for each defendant, and all three remain in custody as the criminal case moves forward.

Investigators have not yet announced a motive for the killing, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Caroline Peña’s death has deeply affected the Del Rio community, with family members and supporters continuing to seek justice for the mother of five as authorities work to determine what led to the fatal confrontation.

Source: New York Post