Murder of Texas Mother Linked to Acquaintances
The daylight killing of a mother of five in Texas has been confirmed as a planned attack, not a random incident, according to police.
The suspects, identified as Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, Amaya Cookie Diaz, 19, and their friend Candra Renee Faz, 21, were known to the victim, Caroline “Caro” Peña, as stated by Del Rio Police Chief Frank Ramirez. All three women have been charged with first-degree murder after they allegedly assaulted Peña during a confrontation in Del Rio.
The exact relationship between Peña and her assailants has not been disclosed by the police chief.
While police have not provided details on the cause of the altercation, a criminal complaint reveals that Faz claimed Peña attempted to instigate a fight at her residence.
Surveillance footage captured Peña’s black Dodge pickup arriving at the house, shortly followed by the Diaz sisters. The video shows Cookie exiting a Chrysler 300 and confronting Peña, allegedly armed with what looked like a knife.
Documents indicate that Cookie stabbed Peña in the back, causing blood to soak through her shirt. Following this, Kitty and Faz entered the scene, striking Peña before fleeing, as documented in court records.
Peña was later transported to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries hours later in San Antonio. Chief Ramirez emphasized that Peña’s decision to visit Faz’s house shouldn’t suggest she was responsible for the violent outcome.
Not long after the attack, the Diaz sisters were apprehended while appearing surprisingly lighthearted. Video footage showed them, with Kitty seemingly unconcerned, smiling as officers escorted her to a police vehicle.
Michael Elizondo, an independent journalist who filmed the incident, remarked that the demeanor of the second sister struck him as particularly odd. He recalled her behaving as if nothing had happened, which he found disturbing.
Ramirez criticized their behavior as shockingly callous, suggesting that some expression of remorse might have been expected given the circumstances.
Each of the accused remains in custody, with bail set at $5 million, and they have requested public defenders.
