NEW QUESTIONS ARISE: Police had identified Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, Kitty Mia Diaz, and Kyandra Renee Faz as the three women accused of murdering Caroline Peña, but CCTV footage of the incident—capturing her screams—has changed everything
The identification of Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, Kitty Mia Diaz, and Kyandra Renee Faz as the primary suspects in the murder of Caroline “Caro” Peña came swiftly after the June 25, 2026, stabbing in Del Rio, Texas. Yet newly referenced CCTV footage from the scene has introduced fresh layers of scrutiny and questions, with reports and witness recollections describing the chaos, including audible elements of the confrontation that underscore the horror of those moments. While police had already built a case on surveillance video, physical evidence, and witness interviews, the emerging details from the footage have intensified public focus on the sequence of events and the human suffering involved.
Peña, a 32-year-old mother of five, had driven to a residence linked to Faz in her black pickup truck. Surveillance captured her arrival, followed closely by the Diaz sisters in a black Chrysler 300. According to the probable cause affidavit, Amaya Diaz exited the vehicle holding an object believed to be a knife and confronted Peña directly. The footage reportedly shows the strike to Peña’s back, with blood becoming visible on her shirt, as Kitty Diaz and Faz allegedly joined the assault. Witnesses and community accounts have described hearing screams during the altercation, highlighting the terror of a public, daylight attack near a busy area close to a Sonic restaurant. This auditory dimension, referenced in local reporting and social media discussions of the video, has deepened the emotional impact and raised new questions about bystander response and the rapid escalation.
The CCTV evidence proved pivotal in identifying and charging the three women. Officers responded to Val Verde Regional Medical Center around 2:10 p.m. after Peña arrived with multiple stab wounds. She was airlifted to San Antonio due to the severity but died around 9 p.m. from injuries including a punctured lung. With her death, the charges were upgraded to murder. The footage not only helped pinpoint the suspects but also illustrated the timeline, showing Peña’s arrival, the confrontation, and the suspects’ departure. This visual record, combined with physical evidence at the scene, shifted the case decisively.
The emergence of these footage details has changed the public narrative in several ways. Initially, the focus was on the swift arrests and the shocking behavior captured in separate videos of the suspects smiling during booking. Amaya Diaz was reportedly seen smiling and telling bystanders to stop filming, while her sister Kitty also appeared to grin. Those arrest clips sparked widespread outrage. Now, the incident footage itself—detailing the moments of confrontation and reported screams—has refocused attention on the victim’s experience and the brutality of the attack, prompting questions about how such violence unfolded in broad daylight on a busy street.
Friends of Peña have provided context for why she was there, noting the women knew each other and that she had a reason for going to the residence. Community discussions from those close to the victim have pointed to a personal dispute, possibly involving accusations of theft related to drugs or money, though police have not officially detailed a motive. The CCTV footage reinforces the non-random nature of the encounter, showing the coordinated arrival and actions. This has led to new questions about prior tensions and whether the meeting was intended as a confrontation that spiraled out of control.
Peña’s survival for several hours after the stabbing adds another heartbreaking element. She remained conscious at the local hospital long enough for interactions with loved ones, including a visit from best friend Christina Salinas. Salinas missed Peña’s 1:35 p.m. call earlier that day and has expressed profound regret. The airlift to San Antonio offered hope, but the punctured lung proved fatal. Autopsy confirmation of this injury has solidified the medical understanding of her death while highlighting how the initial wounds continued to inflict damage even after she was removed from the scene.
The case has reverberated through Del Rio, where residents grapple with the public nature of the violence. Friends remember Peña as a devoted mother and generous person who helped others through her own experiences as a young parent. Zelina Ochoa and Lupita Garza spoke of her warmth, laughter, and support. “She was born to be a mom,” Ochoa said. A GoFundMe for her five children, including two with autism, seeks to provide stability amid the loss. These personal stories contrast sharply with the chilling footage and its implications.
New questions arising from the CCTV include the exact dynamics of the confrontation, the role of each participant, and why the situation escalated so violently. The footage’s capture of screams has humanized the terror Peña faced, moving discussions beyond arrests to the victim’s final moments. Police continue to investigate, with the possibility of additional charges or witnesses. The three suspects remain in custody on $5 million bonds each, facing first-degree murder allegations.
The footage has also sparked broader conversations about community safety, the dangers of unresolved disputes, and the impact of recording such incidents. While it has changed the depth of understanding for many observers, it has not altered the core facts established by investigators: three women identified through video and evidence, a fatal stabbing, and a grieving family. For Salinas and others, the visuals and reports bring both validation of the swift police work and renewed pain. “No matter how much justice is being served, I still don’t have my friend here alive with me,” she said.
As more details from the CCTV and related evidence emerge, the case against Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, Kitty Mia Diaz, and Kyandra Renee Faz strengthens while the human cost becomes clearer. Caroline Peña’s story is one of a woman who lived with purpose and love, only to have her life cut short in a public confrontation captured on camera. The screams heard in the footage serve as a haunting reminder of the fear and pain in those moments, prompting the community to reflect on prevention and support even as justice proceeds.
Further investigative releases may answer lingering questions about the precise sequence and any additional context from the scene. For now, the footage has amplified calls for accountability and deepened the collective mourning in Del Rio. Peña’s legacy, carried by her children and friends, endures beyond the tragedy that unfolded on screen.
