CA family still looking for answers after missing mother and baby found dead in canal

FRESNO, Calif. -- A Fresno family finally has some answers in their search for a missing Sacramento mother and daughter.

Whisper Owen and her 8-month-old daughter were last seen on July 15 when they had driven down from Sacramento for a doctor's appointment in Fresno.

That same day, they stopped by to see some of Whisper's family, including her mother and brother.

But the two were never seen alive again. For weeks, her family drove different routes between Fresno and Sacramento, looking for signs.

RELATED: Missing CA mother and daughter found dead in submerged vehicle 1 month after disappearance

Early on, surveillance video in Atwater was found showing Whisper's distinct 2006 Chevy Trailblazer in town several hours after she left Fresno.

Weeks later, her family found out about surveillance video showing the SUV in Oakdale that same night.

Whisper's brother Richard Owen feels law enforcement didn't take their concerns seriously.

"I'm frustrated, I'm angered," he said. "I don't think the outcome would've been any different, regardless of law enforcement's efforts, but I do feel like we could have had this conclusion weeks ago, close to a month ago, had they tried a little bit harder and put a little bit more effort into what we were telling them and that was my sister, something happened."

Richard Owen confirmed it was his sister and niece found in a SUV discovered in a canal off of Highway 120 and Victory Avenue.

Law enforcement has remained tight-lipped about the investigation.

The Fresno Police Department is leading the case because the pair was reported missing from their city.

Other agencies between Fresno and Sacramento have assisted over the past month.

When the SUV was found outside Oakdale by Adventures with Purpose, a nonprofit that specializes in searching waterways for missing people, the San Joaquin Sheriff's Office stepped in to help with the recovery.

"Our office responded, and our dive team has responded, and they did locate one adult in the vehicle and one infant in the vehicle," San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Heather Brent said. "At this time, we cannot confirm any identification. It'll be handed over to the medical examiner's office, and as far as any of the investigation will be with the Fresno Police Department."

The California Highway Patrol is also working alongside the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office to determine how the SUV ended up in the water.

The family has set up a donation page to help with funeral costs.