😱 SHOCKING TWIST: Lupita Zuniga Still Missing After Dune Buggy Plunged Into Canal – Friends Escaped, But She Vanished… And Investigators Now Say Evidence Points to a Deliberate Scheme? 💔🌊

The 21-year-old mother of an 18-month-old daughter went out with friends in a dune buggy late Wednesday night near Gustine, California. The vehicle crashed into the Delta-Mendota Canal around midnight – three others climbed out safely, but Lupita never resurfaced.

The driver fled the scene without reporting it, and her family only learned days later when friends showed up at her door looking for her – no one called police right away. Search teams, divers, and family volunteers have scoured the fast-moving canal for almost a week… only her jacket and glasses turned up in a nearby field.

Now, investigators are digging deeper: “There are evidences that this may be deliberated scheme.”

Click to see the full timeline, family pleas, the suspicious details, and why this “accident” is raising major red flags. 👇

Lupita Lizbeth Zúñiga Ontiveros, a 21-year-old mother from Stockton, remains missing nearly a week after the dune buggy she was riding in crashed into the Delta-Mendota Canal in Merced County early on January 28, 2026. Authorities and family members continue searching the waterway, while questions surround the circumstances of the crash and the response from those involved.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight near Gravel Pit Road and State Route 140, west of Gustine. California Highway Patrol reported that the dune buggy, driven by 21-year-old Elixandro Naranjo Miranda of Patterson, veered off the road and entered the canal. Four occupants were in the vehicle: the driver and three passengers, including Zúñiga.

Three individuals escaped the water and reached the bank, but Zúñiga did not resurface. The driver allegedly fled the scene without reporting the crash or seeking help for the missing passenger. Authorities later took Miranda into custody on related charges, though specific details have not been released.

Zúñiga’s family learned of her disappearance days later when two female passengers arrived at her home inquiring about her whereabouts. Neither had contacted police or emergency services immediately after the incident, prompting family frustration over the delay.

Merced County Sheriff’s Office and CHP have conducted patrols along canal banks, deployed dive teams, and coordinated with the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, which manages the canal. Despite these efforts, no sign of Zúñiga has been found beyond her black jacket and glasses discovered in a nearby empty field.

Family members, led by uncle Cesar Ontiveros, have organized daily volunteer searches from dawn to dusk. A GoFundMe campaign titled “Help Find Lupita Lizbeth Zúñiga Ontiveros” has raised over $6,000 to support volunteer expenses, including fuel and equipment. Relatives describe Zúñiga as a devoted mother to her 18-month-old daughter, a “bright light” in their lives, and a woman who would never willingly disappear.

Public appeals on social media and local news have highlighted concerns about the incident. Some family and community members question why the others escaped while Zúñiga did not, the driver’s flight from the scene, and the lack of immediate reporting. Online discussions speculate about foul play, with comments suggesting the crash may not have been accidental or that key details were withheld.

Investigators have indicated there are elements suggesting the incident “may be deliberated scheme,” though no official charges beyond the driver’s custody have been announced. Authorities emphasize the ongoing nature of the probe, including review of witness statements, vehicle evidence, and canal conditions. The fast-moving water and canal infrastructure pose challenges for recovery efforts.

The Delta-Mendota Canal, a major irrigation waterway, has swift currents that can complicate searches. Historical incidents in similar canals have shown bodies can travel significant distances or become lodged in structures. Deputies continue extra patrols, but family advocates have criticized limitations on private divers or expanded water searches.

Zúñiga’s case has drawn attention to safety risks in off-road vehicles on public roads, particularly at night. Dune buggies lack standard safety features like seatbelts or roll cages in many configurations, increasing injury potential in crashes. The incident occurred during a period of low visibility and potentially slick conditions.

Community response includes vigils and calls for accountability. Zúñiga’s family pleads for tips or information from anyone who may have seen the group that night. Merced County Sheriff’s Office urges contacts at 209-385-7445.

As the search enters its second week, hope persists among loved ones that Zúñiga will be located safely. The young mother’s disappearance has left an 18-month-old daughter without her primary caregiver, underscoring the profound personal impact.

Authorities maintain focus on thorough investigation, balancing accident reconstruction with any emerging evidence of intent. No timeline for resolution has been provided, but patrols and family efforts continue.

This case highlights vulnerabilities in group outings and the importance of immediate reporting in emergencies. For Zúñiga’s family, each day without answers intensifies the urgency for closure.