A 57‑year‑old Sikh man was discovered dead in California, days after being abducted outside a religious site, with police saying on Wednesday that he was not the intended target of the crime.
The victim, Avtar Singh, was reported missing on February 17 by his wife in Tracy, a city in San Joaquin County. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows Singh being forcibly pushed into a white SUV at around 2:30 pm by three unidentified individuals dressed in dark clothing near the Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash complex.
Local law enforcement later confirmed that Singh’s body was found on February 20 near Lake Berryessa, in Napa County, roughly 100 miles (160 km) from the site of his abduction. Authorities believe his death is linked to the kidnapping and are treating the matter as a homicide.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said investigators now believe Singh was not the person the abductors originally intended to take, and that the incident may be a case of mistaken identity. “This was not a random act,” the sheriff’s office stated, emphasising the investigation is ongoing and detectives are working to determine the motive and identify those responsible.
Officials also reassured the public that, based on information so far, the incident appears to be isolated and that there is no known ongoing threat to the broader community.
Singh was a well‑known volunteer and head cook at the local Sikh temple, where he also lived with his wife and their six‑month‑old triplets. Members of the Sikh community described him as hard‑working and dedicated, serving at the gurdwara for more than two decades and helping in multiple roles beyond his culinary duties.
The discovery of his body has deeply shaken local residents and members of the Sikh community, prompting both grief and calls for a thorough investigation into the attack. A GoFundMe fundraiser established by community members has raised significant support for the family, highlighting the widespread shock and sympathy following the tragedy.
At this stage, detectives have not released details about possible suspects or a clear motive behind the attempted abduction and killing. Law enforcement continues to seek leads and has urged anyone with information to come forward as the investigation progresses.
