Smiling sister accused of stabbing mother-of-five to death in brutal broad daylight attack is set free on $2million bail
A 19-year-old Texas woman accused of stabbing a mother of five to death has been released on $2 million bail. Amaya 'Cookie' Diaz, along with her sister Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and their friend Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, were all arrested in June following the death of 32-year-old Caroline Peña in a broad daylight attack. Diaz was freed after her family posted $200,000 to secure her release, whilst her sister remains in custody.
Surveillance footage captured the incident at a residence in Del Rio, showing Diaz arriving with a knife and striking Peña in the back. After the attack, the two sisters allegedly showered and changed clothes before being arrested, prompting police to note their wet hair in the arrest report. The three suspects all knew the victim; Diaz has not yet entered a plea to murder and evidence tampering charges, whilst Faz has pleaded not guilty.
- Teen accused of stabbing mother of five released on $2 million bail.
- Surveillance footage allegedly shows her arriving with knife and striking victim.
- Two other defendants remain in custody facing murder and tampering charges.
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In June 2026, a 32-year-old mother of five named Caroline Peña was fatally stabbed in a broad daylight attack at a residential property in Del Rio, Texas. Three individuals were arrested in connection with her death: 19-year-old Amaya 'Cookie' Diaz, her 21-year-old sister Kitty Mia Diaz, and their 21-year-old friend Kyandra Renee Faz. All three knew the victim before the incident.
Surveillance footage captured the attack in detail, showing Amaya arriving at the residence with a knife and striking Peña. Shortly after the incident, the two sisters allegedly showered and changed their clothes, a detail noted by police in their arrest report. These circumstances have drawn significant public attention to the case.
The three suspects now face serious charges. Kyandra Renee Faz has pleaded not guilty to her charges, whilst Amaya 'Cookie' Diaz has not yet entered a plea to charges of murder and evidence tampering. The case is proceeding through the Texas courts.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Proponents of stricter bail conditions point to the severity of the alleged offence—the fatal stabbing of a mother of five—combined with surveillance evidence of the defendant's involvement and apparent consciousness of guilt through the immediate showering and changing of clothes. They contend that violent crimes of this magnitude, where evidence appears compelling, justify detention without bail or substantially higher amounts to protect public safety and reflect the gravity of the harm.
The case against
Supporters argue that bail exists to ensure court attendance, not as pre-trial punishment, and that the presumption of innocence is foundational to justice. They emphasise that the defendant has community ties through family, note that allegations remain unproven until trial, and contend that many serious felony defendants are released on bail. They assert that denying bail would amount to unjust pre-trial detention that violates the right to reasonable bail, regardless of how serious the charges appear.