A Texas community is mourning the death of a 32-year-old mother of five after prosecutors accused three young women of fatally stabbing her during a confrontation captured on surveillance video in broad daylight.

Amaya Cookie Diaz, 19, her sister Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and 21-year-old Kyandra Renee Faz have each been charged with murder in connection with the death of Caroline “Caro” Pena, who died hours after suffering multiple stab wounds during the June 25 incident in Del Rio.

Investigators say the violent encounter unfolded in the middle of the afternoon outside a home located along one of the city’s busiest roadways, shocking nearby residents and leaving five children without their mother.

Police began investigating shortly after 2 p.m. when Pena arrived at a local hospital suffering from stab wounds.

Despite emergency medical treatment, the 32-year-old succumbed to her injuries several hours later.

As doctors fought to save her life, detectives from the Del Rio Police Department launched an investigation to determine exactly where the attack had occurred and who was responsible.

Their inquiry quickly led officers to a residence in the 800 block of East 10th Street.

According to a probable cause affidavit, surveillance cameras installed at the property captured the confrontation from beginning to end.

Investigators say the footage became one of the most significant pieces of evidence in the case.

According to court documents, Pena arrived at the residence in a pickup truck shortly before the violence erupted.

Moments later, Amaya Diaz and Kitty Diaz allegedly arrived at the home.

Police believe the sisters came specifically to confront Pena.

Investigators allege that Amaya Diaz approached the victim while carrying a knife.

According to the affidavit, she then stabbed Pena in the back.

Authorities further allege that Kitty Diaz and homeowner Kyandra Faz joined in assaulting Pena during the confrontation.

The affidavit does not specify exactly how each woman allegedly participated beyond stating that all three attacked the victim before fleeing the area.

Detectives have not disclosed how many stab wounds Pena sustained or whether additional weapons were involved.

After reviewing the surveillance footage and gathering witness statements, investigators identified the Diaz sisters as primary suspects.

Officers traveled to the sisters’ residence soon afterward.

According to police, investigators noticed several circumstances they believed were significant.

Court documents allege that both sisters had changed their clothing and showered before officers arrived.

Detectives viewed those actions as potentially consistent with attempts to remove evidence following the fatal confrontation.

Police took both sisters into custody.

Kyandra Faz was arrested later after investigators located her separately.

During questioning, Faz reportedly acknowledged that Pena had come to her residence before the incident.

According to investigators, Faz claimed the victim had arrived looking to start a fight.

She also stated that the Diaz sisters reached the home around the same time.

Authorities have not publicly indicated whether they believe the confrontation was planned in advance or developed spontaneously after Pena arrived.

Investigators likewise have not disclosed what originally caused tensions between the women.

Del Rio Police Chief Frank Ramirez has confirmed only that the victim and the three suspects knew one another before the fatal incident.

Officials have not elaborated on the nature of those relationships.

The apparent familiarity between everyone involved has only deepened questions surrounding what escalated into deadly violence.

As the criminal investigation continues, police have declined to discuss possible motives publicly.

The surveillance footage is expected to play a central role as prosecutors prepare their case.

Authorities say the recording captured the entire confrontation, potentially providing investigators with an unusually detailed account of how events unfolded.

Whether additional video from neighboring businesses or homes exists has not been disclosed.

All three defendants are currently being held on bonds set at $5 million each.

Court records indicate each woman faces a murder charge stemming from Pena’s death.

It remains unclear whether prosecutors intend to pursue additional charges as the investigation progresses.

The case has devastated Pena’s family and friends.

Loved ones remember her first and foremost as a devoted mother raising five children.

Those closest to her say her life centered around caring for her family, making her sudden death especially heartbreaking.

Friends have also struggled to comprehend how such a violent attack could occur in the middle of the day in such a public location.

 

Speaking after the arrests, family friend Zelina Ochoa emphasized that the killing did not occur in an isolated area hidden from public view.

“This wasn’t something that happened in a back alley,” she said.

Instead, she noted, the confrontation unfolded near a Sonic Drive-In situated along one of Del Rio’s busiest streets.

The public nature of the attack has left many local residents shaken.

Witnesses and passing motorists were potentially nearby as the violence unfolded.

Although investigators have not stated how many people directly observed the incident, authorities continue encouraging anyone with additional information to contact police.

The fatal stabbing has generated significant attention throughout the community, with many expressing sympathy for Pena’s children.

Community members have also questioned what circumstances could have led acquaintances to engage in such extreme violence during daylight hours.

Police have not indicated whether previous disputes between the women had ever resulted in law enforcement involvement.

Nor have investigators revealed whether officers had previously responded to incidents involving any of the individuals connected to the case.

Those details remain unclear as detectives continue examining the relationships among everyone involved.

Meanwhile, prosecutors are expected to rely heavily on both surveillance footage and witness testimony as legal proceedings move forward.

Investigators say the video provides a comprehensive visual record of the confrontation from its beginning until the suspects left the scene.

Combined with forensic evidence and statements collected during the investigation, authorities believe the recording will help establish the sequence of events that culminated in Pena’s death.

The defendants have not publicly responded to the allegations.

As with all criminal cases, each woman is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Future hearings are expected to address evidence gathered by investigators and determine how the prosecution intends to present its case.

For Pena’s loved ones, however, the legal process represents only one part of an immeasurable loss.

Friends say the focus now remains on supporting the five children left behind and remembering the woman they describe as a caring mother whose life ended far too soon.

As detectives continue piecing together the events of June 25, authorities hope the evidence collected—including surveillance video, forensic findings and witness interviews—will provide a complete picture of what happened during the fatal confrontation.

Until then, one of Del Rio’s busiest intersections remains the scene of a tragedy that has left an entire community grieving and searching for answers about how a daytime dispute allegedly escalated into a deadly stabbing that claimed the life of a young mother.