Friends Mourn Del Rio Mother of Five Caroline Peña After Fatal Daylight Stabbing

SAN ANTONIO — Loved ones of a 32-year-old Del Rio mother who was tragically killed in a broad-daylight stabbing are sharing heartfelt memories of her as a dedicated parent, steadfast friend, and someone always ready to support others in their time of need.

Caroline Peña, affectionately called “Caro” by those closest to her, passed away Thursday night after suffering multiple stab wounds. Her sudden and violent death has left her family, friends, and the wider Del Rio community devastated.

Three young women — Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, 19, and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21 — now face murder charges in connection with Peña’s death, according to authorities from the Del Rio Police Department.

Officers responded to Val Verde Regional Medical Center shortly after 2:10 p.m. Thursday following reports of a woman with serious stab injuries. Investigators determined the attack occurred in the 800 block of East 10th Street. Due to the critical nature of her wounds, Peña was airlifted to a hospital in San Antonio for urgent medical care. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries, with officials informed of her passing around 9 p.m. that evening.

Detectives pieced together the case through surveillance footage, physical evidence collected at the scene, and statements from multiple witnesses. This thorough investigation quickly led them to the three suspects.

Law enforcement officers apprehended Kitty Mia Diaz and Amaya “Cookie” Diaz without incident around 4 p.m. Thursday. Shortly afterward, they located and arrested Kyandra Renee Faz. All three were transported to the Del Rio Police Department for processing before being moved to the GEO Correctional Facility, where they remain held pending formal charges.

The investigation is still active, and police have not yet disclosed a possible motive. Authorities also have not ruled out the involvement of additional individuals, noting that further charges could be filed as more details emerge and evidence continues to be reviewed.

For those who knew and loved Caroline Peña, the pain of her loss is compounded by shock, anger, and many lingering questions about the circumstances surrounding her death. Friends have described the incident as especially disturbing because it unfolded publicly in a busy area of town rather than in some hidden location.

Zelina Ochoa, a longtime childhood friend of Peña, expressed the community’s collective heartbreak. “This wasn’t something that happened in a back alley,” Ochoa said. “This happened at the corner near Sonic on one of our busiest roads in broad daylight.”

Ochoa and Peña first connected years ago as teenage mothers participating in the Cradles in the Classroom program, which supports young parents balancing education and childcare. Both had transitioned from traditional high school to navigate the challenges of school and motherhood simultaneously.

“Me and Caro, we go way, way back,” Ochoa recalled. The two friends would take their sons to school together and support each other through the daily demands of parenting and studying. Peña played a significant role in helping Ochoa develop her skills as a mother, offering practical advice on everything from diaper changes to emotional support during lonely moments. She would often watch Ochoa’s son so her friend could focus on schoolwork and generously shared baby clothes, a television, a VHS player, and tapes when Ochoa moved into her first apartment.

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

Another close childhood friend, Lupita Garza, echoed these sentiments, portraying Peña as someone who consistently helped others without hesitation. “Caro was one of a kind. She helped everyone who was in need,” Garza said. “She brought so much light to so many of us, especially with her warm hugs and that one-of-a-kind laugh. She always made sure she had a smile on her face everywhere she went.”

Garza emphasized that Peña’s positive influence on those who grew up with her would endure long after her passing. As a twin and a devoted mother of five children, Peña’s oldest son is now 17 and nearing high school graduation. Friends say motherhood came naturally to her. “She was one of those people, she was born to be a mom,” Ochoa shared through tears. “She really loved to be a mom.”

Those who knew her described Peña as bubbly, funny, and incredibly loyal. She had a gift for reconnecting with old friends after years apart, picking up right where they left off. Her infectious laugh could light up any room, and she had a way of making people feel welcomed and valued.

Christina Salinas, Peña’s best friend of eight years, remembered their incredibly close bond. “We were like sister-in-laws slash best friends,” Salinas said. “She was there for me for everything, not just for me but for my kids as well.”

The two friends were nearly inseparable. Salinas recalled how Peña would often text her in the mornings to plan their day, and she was always available — even answering calls as early as 5:30 a.m. The night before the tragic incident, they had spent time together making sopa de fideo with Peña’s daughter.

On the day of the attack, Salinas missed a call from Peña at around 1:35 p.m., just before the confrontation occurred. “I feel like if I would have answered that call, honestly I would have been there with her,” she reflected. “It wouldn’t have gotten like that.”

Salinas later saw a photo circulating on a community page showing a woman in a bloodstained shirt and immediately recognized her 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. She described Peña as a fighter who stood her ground even in the face of danger.

At the hospital, Peña was still conscious and able to speak before being sedated. Salinas shared a final kiss with her friend before she was flown to San Antonio. She also provided Ring camera footage showing one of Peña’s recent visits to her home — a moment now cherished as one of their last.

The loss has left a profound void. “It’s like a part of me got ripped out and that’s something I’m not going to get back,” Salinas said. “No matter how much justice is being served, I still don’t have my friend here alive with me.”

Video obtained by local news shows police escorting the Diaz sisters from a residence in handcuffs following their arrests. One of the suspects was seen smiling toward the camera as she entered a patrol vehicle.

Friends stress that while arrests have been made, nothing can replace the mother who has been taken from her five children. “Those girls are in jail. Eventually they’ll see [their kids], but Caro is a memory now,” Ochoa said. “Those kids were left without a mom.”

The incident has deeply shaken the Del Rio community, changing many lives in a matter of minutes. Friends hope Peña will be remembered for the way she lived — as a caring mother, generous friend, and source of light for those around her.

“She had a past just like we all did. We made our mistakes when we were young, but she came back around. She got her house, she got her truck, she had her daughter. She was a great mom,” Salinas said, wanting others to see the full picture of her best friend’s character.

Ochoa summed up Peña’s role in the lives of many: “You know how they say it takes a village to raise a family? She was the village.”

As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the Del Rio Police Department. The community mourns the loss of a woman who touched so many lives through her kindness, resilience, and unwavering dedication to family and friends.