February 9, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Sunday, at approximately 10:15 a.m., the Merced County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a body located in the Delta Mendota Canal near Whitworth Road and Cottonwood Road.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office Water Recovery and Rescue Team responded and recovered the body of an adult female from the canal.

The recovery location is approximately seven miles from the site of an early-morning accident on January 28, 2026, in which four individuals crashed into the canal while riding an RZR off-road vehicle. One female, believed to be Lupita Ontiveros, has been missing since the time of the crash. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident, and the Sheriff’s Office has assisted in the search for the missing person.

While investigators are hopeful that Lupita Ontiveros has been located, the identity of the decedent cannot be confirmed at this time. Positive identification will be conducted by the Merced County Coroner’s Office, and notification of next of kin will occur prior to the release of any identifying information.

Source & photo: Merced County Sheriff’s Office