The Merced County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman whose body was recovered from the Delta Mendota Canal as Lupita Lizbeth Zuniga-Ontiveros, 21, authorities said.

The case began in the early morning hours of Jan. 28 when the California Highway Patrol asked for help locating a missing passenger after an RZR off-road vehicle crashed into the canal, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office said.

The vehicle was recovered later that day, but the passenger, believed at the time to be Zuniga-Ontiveros, was not found.

Over the following days, the sheriff’s office conducted multiple search efforts by air, land and water, with additional assistance from family members and friends.

After 11 days, a body surfaced in the canal and was recovered and taken to the Merced County Coroner’s Office.

The coroner’s office on Monday confirmed the identity as Zuniga-Ontiveros. Authorities said their thoughts are with her family and loved ones.

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