Tracy resident Avtar Singh, a devout member of the Sikh community who was reported missing around 8:50 p.m. on February 17, was fatally attacked and abandoned by the side of the road in a disturbing case of mistaken identity in California, police said.
His disappearance came to light after his wife found their three six-month-old children alone but unharmed in their home, nearly a 35-minute drive from Modesto.
Singh’s kidnapping ‘not a random act’: San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office
Napa County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered the body Friday afternoon near Lake Berryessa, about two hours from Tracy. Few details have emerged about the motive for the kidnapping and killing, but Patrick Withrow of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said the beloved husband and father was not the intended target of his captors.
“From our investigation so far, it appears that the person that was captured has nothing to do with the person that they were actually trying to find and take out there,” KCRA3 quoted Withrow as saying.
Withrow said Singh’s abduction “was not a random act”, adding: “They were following another individual for a specific reason and we hope that reason will come to light.
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Surveillance video showed Singh being forced into a white SUV by three kidnappers around 2:30 p.m. near Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash, where he lived with his wife and children, according to the sheriff. The footage indicated that he tried to resist but was eventually overpowered and chased away by the unidentified suspects.
The reason for the attack and the real target of the suspects remain unknown. Chief Investigator J. Hovda of the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office told the Daily Mail that his official cause of death has not yet been determined.
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According to Patrick Withrow, Singh’s death is being ruled a homicide. Singh is remembered as a dedicated Sikh temple volunteer and worker who was willing to do almost anything for his community.
Who is Avtar Singh?
Deep Singh, spokesman and secretary of Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash, told the Daily Mail that Avtar Singh, 57, was a “sincere and hardworking” individual. He explained that for about 23 years, Singh served primarily as head cook at the temple, but noted that his contributions went far beyond that role, describing him as someone capable of handling many responsibilities.
He also mentioned that the temple community recently celebrated the birth of Singh’s children, who were born prematurely and required a long hospital stay.
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Deep stated: “When they got here it was a big meeting. It was a big celebration. He was happy, mum was happy and the community was happy,” adding: “We won’t be able to make amends for her loss.”
Meanwhile, a fundraising campaign has been launched on GoFundMe to support his widow and their three children.
The site describes Singh as humble and quietly dedicated, whose caring nature made others feel like family. He also notes that his spirit of service, honesty and strong faith had a significant impact on many people and that his loss has left a deep void in the community.
