Missing Sacramento Mother and Infant Daughter Found Dead in Submerged Vehicle
OAKDALE, Calif. — A heartbreaking discovery has brought a devastating end to the search for Whisper Owen, 36, and her 8-month-old daughter, Sandra McCarty, who had been missing since July 15. On Sunday, the mother and daughter were found dead inside their submerged 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer in a canal under a bridge along Highway 120 near Oakdale, California.
The discovery was made after Adventures with Purpose (AWP), a nonprofit search-and-recovery dive team specializing in locating missing people underwater, joined the search efforts at the request of the family. Using sonar technology, divers were able to locate the vehicle beneath the water’s surface.
Authorities later confirmed that both Whisper and Sandra were inside the vehicle.
A Mother’s Final Act of Love
According to AWP founder Jared Leisek, evidence inside the vehicle suggested that Whisper made a desperate attempt to reach the backseat during the incident, apparently trying to save her daughter. “It appears as though Whisper was making her way to the backseat to save her daughter, Sandra,” Leisek told Sacramento’s KXTV.
The revelation has left loved ones both heartbroken and in awe of Whisper’s final act of courage and maternal instinct.
Timeline of the Tragedy
Whisper and her daughter had last been seen on July 15 after visiting family and attending a doctor’s appointment in Fresno, California. She was driving back to Sacramento that evening when she disappeared. Days of searching by law enforcement and family members yielded no answers until the volunteer team from Oregon stepped in to help.
The canal area was identified as a possible location after divers from AWP and a local Stockton dive team worked together to scan waterways in the region. Their persistence ultimately led to the discovery that brought closure, though not the outcome the family had prayed for.
Family Speaks Out
Whisper’s brother, Richard Owen, expressed both grief and gratitude in the wake of the discovery. He thanked Adventures with Purpose for their tireless efforts, noting that the team had driven down from Oregon more than once, donating their time, expertise, and resources to help the family.
“Not once, but twice driving down from Oregon and donating their time, efforts and resources,” Richard said. “Reaching out to a dive team that’s local to Stockton and getting them out to help identify and get my sister and niece out of the water.”
The family says that while their loss is unimaginable, they want Whisper and Sandra to be remembered for the joy they brought into the world.
“They were beautiful people who made a very big difference in this world and a lot of people’s lives,” Richard shared. “That’s what they deserve to be remembered as.”
Community Mourning
The tragedy has sent ripples of sorrow throughout Sacramento and beyond, with many community members expressing condolences and support for the grieving family. Vigils are expected to be held in honor of Whisper and Sandra, giving friends and neighbors an opportunity to gather, share memories, and celebrate their lives.
For Whisper, she will be remembered as a loving mother, daughter, and sister—someone who lived with resilience, compassion, and unwavering devotion to her family. For baby Sandra, her short time on earth was filled with love and joy, and though her life was far too brief, she touched countless hearts.
A Legacy of Love
As the family begins the painful process of mourning, they are holding tightly to memories of Whisper’s laughter, her gentle spirit, and the unbreakable bond she shared with Sandra. Though their lives ended tragically, their legacy will be carried forward through the love of their family and community.
Whisper Owen and Sandra McCarty will be remembered always—for their love, their light, and the way they inspired so many in life and in death.
