A Texas mother stabbing in Del Rio left a 32-year-old woman critically injured and later dead, and Del Rio police say three people have been arrested and charged in connection with the case. Officers were alerted after the woman arrived at Val Verde Regional Medical Center with multiple stab wounds; investigators reviewed surveillance footage, processed evidence and interviewed witnesses as the probe continued.
What happened in Del Rio — Texas mother stabbing timeline
Del Rio police said officers were notified when a woman with multiple stab wounds arrived at Val Verde Regional Medical Center and that officers responded at about 2:10 p.m. on Thursday. Local reports and the department identified the victim as Caroline “Caro” Peña, 32. Because of the severity of her injuries, Peña was flown from the hospital to a San Antonio medical facility for more advanced care.
Authorities later said Peña suffered two stab wounds to the back and one to the stomach. Police were notified around 9 p.m. that Peña had died from her injuries, according to the department and media reports. Investigators described the assault as occurring in broad daylight near a busy intersection by a Sonic restaurant, an area many residents said they pass through frequently.
Del Rio police said detectives reviewed surveillance video from the area and interviewed witnesses in the hours following the attack. Investigators processed evidence at the scene and continued to gather recordings and testimony as they worked to identify suspects and reconstruct the events leading up to the stabbing.
Arrests and charges
The Del Rio Police Department named three people who were arrested and charged with murder in connection with the attack: Kitty Mia Diaz, 21; Amaya Cookie Diaz, 19; and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21. Police said Kitty Diaz and Amaya “Cookie” Diaz were taken into custody at about 4 p.m., and that Faz was arrested shortly afterward.
All three were booked at the Del Rio Police Department and later transferred to the GEO Correctional Facility, where police said they remain pending court proceedings. The department emphasized that the murder charges are allegations and must be proven in court.
Evidence and investigation
Investigators told reporters they reviewed surveillance footage from multiple cameras near the scene and interviewed several witnesses whose accounts helped guide the early stages of the probe. Detectives processed physical evidence collected at the location of the assault and continued to sort through digital video to establish a clear timeline of events.
Police described the investigation as active and said additional interviews and evidence processing were ongoing. The department has not released a motive for the attack; authorities cautioned that investigators are still working to determine what led to the assault and urged anyone with information or footage to contact detectives.
Victim, family and community impact
Local media and law enforcement reports say Caroline “Caro” Peña is survived by five children, including a 17-year-old son, and a twin sister. Neighbors and friends described Peña as devoted to her family and generous in the community. “She was one of those people that she was born to be a mom,” childhood friend Zelina Ochoa told a local TV station. Another friend recounted that Peña was still fighting when help arrived, and that residents have been shaken by a daytime attack on a busy road.
Del Rio, a city of about 35,000 in southwest Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border, has reacted with shock and concern. The location of the assault — a well-traveled corner near businesses — prompted residents to call for answers and for increased police visibility while detectives continue the investigation. Community leaders and neighbors have held informal vigils and shared condolences on social media as the family and city mourn.
What comes next
Authorities said the arrested women will be held pending initial court proceedings. Legal timelines will depend on the county’s charging and arraignment schedules; police noted that charging documents are allegations and the suspects are entitled to due process. No motive has been publicly released by investigators.
Detectives said they will continue to process evidence, review any additional video from the area and interview potential witnesses. The Del Rio Police Department has indicated it will release updates as new information becomes available and encouraged anyone with relevant footage or information to contact the department.
For now, the case remains an active investigation and the community continues to seek answers while the legal process moves forward. Media reports about the arrests cite the Del Rio Police Department’s public release and coverage by national outlets; the department’s post is available on its public Facebook page and the initial national report is linked below for reference.
Source: Fox News — Sisters, friend charged in Texas mom’s stabbing death. Del Rio Police Department press release: Del Rio PD Facebook post.
