Friend of Texas Mother of Five Vows to Fight for Justice After Fatal Del Rio Stabbing

A heartbroken friend of Texas mother Caroline “Caro” Peña is preparing to say a final goodbye after the 32-year-old mother of five was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in Del Rio.

Christina Salinas, a close friend of Peña, shared an emotional tribute nearly a week after Peña was allegedly killed by Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, 19, Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21.

“Taking a deep breath and preparing my heart to see you one last time,” Salinas wrote. “Missing you is a heavy kind of love.”

Peña’s memorial service is expected to take place in Del Rio, a small Texas city near the Mexican border. Salinas said she felt honored that Peña’s family had asked her to deliver a reading at the service.

“You’re gone but never will you be forgotten,” she wrote. “I promise I’ll try my hardest to stay strong.”

Friend Shares Emotional Tribute

Salinas said the grief of losing Peña has been overwhelming.

“I know today at work it’s going to kill me all day thinking in just hours I’ll face reality,” she wrote. “I love you. This week has been one of the hardest ones in my life.”

In another post, Salinas shared an old photo of herself riding in a car with Peña and vowed to keep fighting for accountability.

“I promise you that I’m not going to stop till we get justice,” she wrote.

Her words came as Peña’s family and friends continue mourning a woman they say was deeply loved and whose death has left five children without their mother.

Peña Was Stabbed Multiple Times, Complaint Says

According to a criminal complaint obtained by The Post, Peña was allegedly stabbed by Amaya “Cookie” Diaz last Thursday. Her shirt was soaked with blood after the attack.

A friend identified only as Tina told KENS that Peña was stabbed twice in the back and once in the stomach.

“One of the stab wounds ended up puncturing her lungs, which was the fatal cause,” the friend said.

After Peña was allegedly stabbed, Kitty Diaz and Faz are accused of joining the attack before fleeing the scene, according to the complaint.

Faz later claimed that Peña had come to her home “looking to start a fight.”

Mother of Five Later Died in San Antonio

After the attack, Peña was rushed to a local hospital before being airlifted to San Antonio, where she later died.

Relatives said Peña had five children, including two with special needs.

“All five will carry this loss for the rest of their lives,” family members said.

Her death has shaken the Del Rio community and sparked outrage, especially after footage showed the Diaz sisters smiling as police took them into custody about two hours after the attack.

Kitty was seen grinning while being escorted into a patrol car. Cookie also appeared to smile and told a man recording the arrest to “stop recording.”

Three Women Charged With Murder

Amaya “Cookie” Diaz, Kitty Mia Diaz and Kyandra Renee Faz are each charged with first-degree murder.

A judge set bond at $5 million for each woman during their first court appearance. All three requested court-appointed attorneys.

The charges remain allegations, and the women have not been convicted.

Del Rio Police Chief Frank Ramirez said Peña knew the women accused in her death, though he did not disclose the nature of their relationship.

Police have not released a motive, but investigators do not believe the killing was random. The case remains under investigation.

Loved Ones Demand Justice

For Peña’s friends and family, the grief is still raw.

Salinas’ tribute captured the pain of preparing to face the reality of saying goodbye, while also promising that Peña’s memory will not fade.

Peña’s loved ones say she was a mother, a friend and a woman whose children will now grow up carrying the weight of a devastating loss.

As the investigation continues, those closest to her say they want one thing above all else: justice for Caro.