🚨 WET HAIR: When police found Amaya “Cookie&...

🚨 WET HAIR: When police found Amaya “Cookie” Diaz and Kitty Mia Diaz about two hours after Caroline Peña’s murder, records indicated they had changed clothes and just showered. But what investigators discovered inside the house afterward is becoming one of the most significant pieces of evidence in the case

New details emerging from investigative records in the Del Rio, Texas, murder case of 32-year-old Caroline “Caro” Peña are adding critical layers to the prosecution’s evidence against Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, Kitty Mia Diaz, and Kyandra Renee Faz. Approximately two hours after the June 25, 2026, stabbing that killed Peña, police located the Diaz sisters. Records indicate they had changed clothes and showed signs of having just showered—often referred to in reports as the “wet hair” detail. What investigators subsequently discovered inside the house has become one of the most significant pieces of evidence, strengthening the case while raising further questions about the suspects’ actions immediately following the attack.

This development comes as court documents, surveillance footage, and witness statements continue to build a comprehensive timeline. The combination of physical evidence recovered from the residence, the condition of the suspects at the time of apprehension, and prior statements is complicating the defense while providing prosecutors with compelling proof of consciousness of guilt and efforts to conceal involvement.

The Arrests and Initial Observations

Police arrested Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, 19, around 4 p.m. on the day of the incident, roughly two hours after the attack on East 10th Street. Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, was taken into custody shortly afterward. According to records, when officers encountered the Diaz sisters, they had changed their clothing and exhibited signs consistent with having recently showered, including wet hair.

Bystander video of the arrests captured the sisters smiling and laughing as they were taken into custody, a reaction Del Rio Police Chief Frank Ramirez publicly described as callous. “My impression is it didn’t look good and you would think there would be a little more remorse in a situation like that,” he stated.

These observations at the time of arrest gained additional weight when investigators searched the residence. The discovery of items inside the house—widely reported as significant in court filings—has become pivotal. While exact details of every recovered item remain subject to ongoing proceedings, the evidence reportedly includes clothing and other materials potentially linked to the crime, supporting theories of post-incident cleanup.

The Attack and Timeline

The underlying incident occurred around 2 p.m. Peña arrived at a residence linked to Faz in her black Dodge pickup. Surveillance video shows the Chrysler 300 carrying the three suspects arriving shortly after. Amaya “Cookie” Diaz exited holding an object believed to be a knife, confronted Peña, and inflicted a stab wound to her back. Kitty Mia Diaz and Faz then participated in the physical assault. Peña fought back but was seriously wounded.

She was transported to Val Verde Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to San Antonio, succumbing to her injuries around 9 p.m. An autopsy confirmed multiple stab wounds, including one that punctured a lung. The charges against the three women were upgraded to murder following her death. Each faces a $5 million bond.

Faz told police that Peña had arrived “looking to start a fight,” a statement documented in the criminal complaint. Chief Ramirez confirmed that all four women knew each other prior to the incident, establishing it as a non-random event rooted in personal conflict.

Why the Post-Attack Discoveries Matter

The condition of the Diaz sisters upon arrest—changed clothes and recent showering—suggested possible attempts to destroy or remove physical evidence such as blood or DNA. Investigators’ subsequent search of the house yielded items that prosecutors view as highly relevant. In homicide cases, evidence of cleanup efforts or disposal of clothing is often used to demonstrate consciousness of guilt.

These discoveries complement the surveillance footage, which captured the attack itself but not the immediate aftermath or pre-confrontation planning. The house search helps bridge those gaps, providing tangible links between the suspects and the crime scene.

Forensic analysis of any recovered clothing, potential weapons, or biological evidence is expected to play a major role in trial. The timing—only two hours after the stabbing—makes the showering and clothing change particularly noteworthy, as it occurred before Peña had even been pronounced dead.

Prior Relationships and Motive Context

Court files continue to emphasize that the women were acquainted. Peña had a reason to go to the residence, according to authorities. While the exact motive has not been fully detailed publicly, the documents point to interpersonal tensions rather than a spontaneous stranger attack. Faz’s statement about Peña seeking confrontation adds context but is weighed against the video evidence of the group response.

Peña was remembered as a devoted mother of five, including two children with special needs. Friends described her as a peacemaker who avoided drama. Christina Salinas, her best friend of eight years, missed a call from Peña around 1:35 p.m. that day. Zelina Ochoa highlighted her nurturing character.

A GoFundMe for her children has raised funds to assist the family. Peña’s obituary notes her birth in Del Rio on October 28, 1993, and her passing in San Antonio.

Public Reaction and Community Impact

News of the “wet hair” observation and house discoveries has intensified public scrutiny. The contrast between the suspects’ reported post-shower appearance and smiling arrests versus Peña’s reputation as a loving mother has fueled outrage across social media and local discussions.

In Del Rio, the case has prompted reflection on personal conflicts in a close-knit border community. The public nature of the attack on a busy street amplified its shock value.

Legal Implications of the Evidence

Prosecutors are integrating the house search results with video, Faz’s testimony, and arrest observations to build a strong circumstantial and direct evidence case. Signs of cleanup can be powerful in demonstrating intent to evade detection. Defense attorneys may challenge the interpretation of the showering and clothing change, but the timing and context make it difficult to dismiss.

All three suspects requested court-appointed attorneys. The case is advancing in Val Verde County court, with no additional arrests expected.

A Case Built on Accumulating Evidence

From the initial surveillance video to Faz’s statement and now the significant discoveries inside the house, each piece of the investigative file is contributing to a more complete picture. The “wet hair” detail and changed clothing, combined with what was found afterward, represent a major development that prosecutors consider highly probative.

For Peña’s family, these details add to the pain of losing a mother, sister, and daughter. Her five children now navigate life without her. Community support continues through fundraisers and tributes.

As more records are reviewed and introduced, the case against the three suspects grows more detailed. The evidence from the house search may prove decisive in demonstrating what happened in the critical hours after the stabbing. In the end, the cumulative files are telling a story of a known conflict that ended in tragedy, with investigators methodically closing gaps through physical and testimonial evidence.

The Caroline Peña case underscores the importance of thorough post-incident investigation. What police observed upon locating the suspects and what they found inside the house are now among the most significant elements, potentially shaping the outcome as justice proceeds.