Indian-Origin Sikh Man Kidnapped, Murdered in California; Police Suspect Mistaken Identity
A 57-year-old Sikh man of Indian origin was abducted in broad daylight and later found murdered in California in what authorities suspect may be a case of mistaken identity.
Avtar Singh was kidnapped on Tuesday afternoon from outside a gurdwara in Tracy, a city located about an hour from San Jose. Surveillance footage showed three suspects forcing Singh into the back of a sports utility vehicle at around 2:30 pm. According to San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow, Singh attempted to resist but was overpowered by the assailants.
His wife reported him missing at around 9 pm after returning home from work and finding their three children alone. The couple had recently welcomed premature triplets, now six months old.
On Friday, law enforcement officials recovered a body near Lake Berryessa, approximately a two-hour drive from Tracy. Authorities later confirmed that the deceased was Avtar Singh. Investigators said the motive behind the killing remains unclear but indicated that Singh was likely not the intended target.
“This was not a random act. They were targeted after another individual for a specific reason and we are hoping that reason comes to light,” Sheriff Withrow was quoted as saying in local media reports. He added that detectives were working to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Colleagues and members of the gurdwara described Singh as a dedicated and sincere individual. For over two decades, he served as head cook at the Tracy Gurdwara Sahib and was known for his service and community involvement.
A fundraising campaign set up in his memory described him as a loving sevadaar who made everyone feel like family.
Police investigations are ongoing, and no arrests had been announced at the time of filing this report.
