Caroline 'Caro' Peña, 32, died Thursday evening from multiple stab wounds sustained in an attack that occurred shortly after 2 p.m. in Del Rio, Texas, according to the Del Rio Police Department.
Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, her sister Amaya Cookie Diaz, 19, and their friend Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, were arrested in connection with Peña's death. Each faces a murder charge. The three women are being held on a combined $15 million bond.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. Investigators stated that surveillance footage shows Peña's truck arriving at Faz's residence, with the Diaz sisters arriving shortly thereafter. Faz reportedly told police that Peña had arrived at her residence looking to start a fight.
Witnesses described the incident unfolding rapidly at a busy intersection near a Sonic restaurant. Zelina Ochoa, a friend of Peña's, told the New York Post that a photograph taken during the attack showed Peña attempting to remain standing after being stabbed. "She had just collapsed and she stood right back up. She was a fighter," Ochoa said.
Ochoa described the image as showing the three alleged attackers surrounding Peña, who appeared to have no weapons. "She didn't show up there thinking that today is my last day," Ochoa added.
Peña was initially transported to a local hospital before being transferred to a San Antonio hospital, where she died around 9 p.m. Thursday. She leaves behind five children, aged 17 down to three years old. A GoFundMe has been established to support them, noting that two of the children are autistic.
Ochoa characterized Peña as someone who avoided conflict and aimed to bring peace. The Diaz sisters were observed by cameras smirking as they were taken into custody.
Police are asking for anyone with information about the confrontation to come forward as the investigation continues.