Kitty Diaz, a 21-year-old woman accused of murder, appeared in court Wednesday in Val Verde County, Texas. Diaz, dressed in orange jail garb and wearing hand shackles, was present for a hearing related to the death of Caroline "Caro" Peña, a mother of five. Peña was fatally stabbed on June 25 in Del Rio, Texas, during an argument.
A judge reduced Diaz's bond from $5 million to $2 million, but she remained in custody following the hearing. This was Diaz's first court appearance without her sister, Cookie Amaya Diaz, 19, and their friend Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, who are also charged with murder in connection with Peña's death.
Surveillance video reportedly shows the three individuals repeatedly stabbing and beating Peña. According to a criminal complaint, after the attack, Diaz and her sister allegedly attempted to conceal their involvement by changing their clothing and showering. Officers searching their residence found a pink crop top, identified as belonging to Kitty Diaz, inside a washing machine, suggesting it had been recently washed.
Diaz has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Faz told investigators that Peña had arrived at her residence intending to start a fight. The three defendants allegedly drove to Peña's location in a Chrysler 300. Surveillance footage depicted Cookie Amaya Diaz exiting the vehicle and confronting Peña while allegedly holding a knife. The complaint states that Cookie Amaya Diaz struck Peña, causing blood to appear on her shirt, before Kitty Diaz and Faz allegedly joined in the assault.
Peña died from her stab wounds at a hospital in San Antonio. The motive for the alleged attack and the relationship between the defendants and Peña have not been disclosed by Del Rio police. Cookie Amaya Diaz and Kyandra Renee Faz are each being held on $5 million bond. It is unclear when the defendants are scheduled to appear in court next.