DELANO, CA - The body of a Delano mother, found in a canal Tuesday, will be turned over to her estranged husband, a person of interest in the case.
Erika Padron Lango's family has been searching for her for nearly two months.
The family says on top of their pain, her estranged husband, Julio Lango, has legal rights to her body.
"I've been feeling sad. Sometimes I'm cleaning and I start crying. It's hard," said Paula Padron, Erika's grandmother.
Family members of 26-year-old Erika Padron Lango describe the fun, loving person she was, memories the family has a hard time thinking about.
"It's pretty hard, hard for everybody," said Paula Padron.
On Tuesday, a canal worker discovered Erika's body on the west bank of the Friant-Kern Canal, just outside Delano. Investigators said her body appeared to have been in the water for a long period of time and showed evidence of a suspicious death.
"Everybody was here yesterday. Everybody was crying. What can we do? Cry that's all and talk to God to help us," said Paula Padron.
Erika's grandparents say her body will be released to her estranged husband, Julio Lango, who police named a person of interest after Erika Lango disappeared.
Erika's family says it's upsetting that he has legal rights over them.
"We have to go all together over there to police and say 'Why? Why you going to do that? She's the mom'," said Paula Padron.
According to the Kern County coroner's office, Erika's body can be released to Julio Lango because he is considered next of kin. The coroner's office say that's because Julio Lango hasn't been arrested.
Delano Police say they will continue to search for more evidence around the canal where Erika's body was found to make sure they haven't missed any clues.
"We're going to take our time to make sure that our investigation is a complete investigation so that indeed if charges are brought up, that we have a good solid case against the individual or individuals that may have caused Erika's death," said Delano Police.
Delano Police say Julio Lango was the last person to see Erika Lango alive.
Officers say no arrests have been made, but they would like to bring Julio Lango in for questioning.
Erika Padron Lango's family has been searching for her for nearly two months.
The family says on top of their pain, her estranged husband, Julio Lango, has legal rights to her body.
"I've been feeling sad. Sometimes I'm cleaning and I start crying. It's hard," said Paula Padron, Erika's grandmother.
Family members of 26-year-old Erika Padron Lango describe the fun, loving person she was, memories the family has a hard time thinking about.
"It's pretty hard, hard for everybody," said Paula Padron.
On Tuesday, a canal worker discovered Erika's body on the west bank of the Friant-Kern Canal, just outside Delano. Investigators said her body appeared to have been in the water for a long period of time and showed evidence of a suspicious death.
"Everybody was here yesterday. Everybody was crying. What can we do? Cry that's all and talk to God to help us," said Paula Padron.
Erika's grandparents say her body will be released to her estranged husband, Julio Lango, who police named a person of interest after Erika Lango disappeared.
Erika's family says it's upsetting that he has legal rights over them.
"We have to go all together over there to police and say 'Why? Why you going to do that? She's the mom'," said Paula Padron.
According to the Kern County coroner's office, Erika's body can be released to Julio Lango because he is considered next of kin. The coroner's office say that's because Julio Lango hasn't been arrested.
Delano Police say they will continue to search for more evidence around the canal where Erika's body was found to make sure they haven't missed any clues.
"We're going to take our time to make sure that our investigation is a complete investigation so that indeed if charges are brought up, that we have a good solid case against the individual or individuals that may have caused Erika's death," said Delano Police.
Delano Police say Julio Lango was the last person to see Erika Lango alive.
Officers say no arrests have been made, but they would like to bring Julio Lango in for questioning.