Mother of 4 found shot to death in Phoenix canal, no arrests made: 'When's mom coming home?'

Mother of four's body recovered from Phoenix canal, police say

A homicide investigation is underway after a woman's body was recovered from a canal in Phoenix. Days later, loved ones held a vigil where the mother of four was found.

PHOENIX - Police say a homicide investigation is underway after crews recovered a woman's body from a canal in Phoenix on July 5.

The body, identified as 37-year-old Janet Begaye, was found near 32nd Street and McDowell. She had been shot.

Begaye is a mother of four who police say was murdered. Four days later, the friends and family were here for a candlelight vigil to honor the woman they loved.

Tears, hugs and support were shared around the new memorial for Begaye as the sun set in Phoenix. Family and friends shined candlelight on the exact area the Glendale mother was found.

"All I was told is that she was shot and they threw her body in the canal. Her car was stolen with all her personal belongings," Jeanette Johnson said, Begaye's older sister.

‘A very good mother’

This is what she wants the public to remember about her sister.

"She was a very good mother to her kids. She bent over backwards just to make sure…going back to work at night, so she could be home with the kids during the day," Johnson said.

Begaye is from the Najavo tribe in New Mexico. Johnson says her body will be sent back home to be buried amongst family.

The siblings started a GoFundMe account to help with the expenses and with the four children Begaye now leaves behind, ages 6 through 17.

"The younger two don’t know. They kept asking me, ‘When’s mom coming home?’ and then they were like, ‘Let’s go to so-and-so’s apartment. She’s probably over there.' It was so hard that day when I had to take them back to my house," Johnson said.

Phoenix Police haven't released any details about the homicide investigation, but the family is asking for anyone to come forward with information about the case.

Anyone with information should contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Spanish speakers can call Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO. Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).