Father of Triplets Found Dead After Kidnapping Outside Tracy Sikh Temple

Avtar Singh, 57, was abducted from outside his Sikh temple in Tracy, California, and found dead three days later near Lake Berryessa. Police believe he was taken by mistake.

Father of six-month-old triplets killed after wrong-target kidnapping in Tracy

Avtar Singh, a 57-year-old father of six-month-old triplets, was found dead on Friday, 20 February, three days after he was abducted from outside a Sikh temple in Tracy, San Joaquin County, California. People.com reports that authorities are investigating the death as a homicide and believe Singh was not the intended target of the kidnapping.

"It is with profound sadness that we confirm the kidnapping victim, Avtar Singh, has been located deceased," the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office stated on Facebook on Monday, 23 February.

Singh's body was discovered shortly before 3:30 p.m. near Lake Berryessa, roughly 97 miles from the Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash in Tracy where he was last seen. The Napa County Sheriff's Office found him after a fisherman reported the discovery to police, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Surveillance footage captured on 17 February at approximately 2:30 p.m. showed Singh entering a white SUV "against his will" outside the temple. Three unidentified individuals dressed in dark clothing were seen with him at the time. The white SUV was later recovered nearby.

"Our detectives are working tirelessly to investigate this case and identify those responsible for this terrible act," the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said. "Based on the information known at this time, this appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no known ongoing threat to the community."

Heather Brent, public information officer with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, told the Los Angeles Times that a preliminary investigation indicates Singh was not the intended target. "We believe a different individual was a target and that Mr. Singh was mistakenly taken," Brent said.

Temple spokesperson Deep Singh, who is not related to the victim, provided a detailed account of the moments leading up to the abduction. He told the outlet that Avtar lived and worked at the temple with his wife and their children. Singh's wife grew concerned on the evening of 17 February when she returned home from work to find the triplets alone.

According to Deep, surveillance footage showed a man stepping out of a white SUV in the temple's parking lot and knocking on the door to the laundry room, before trying Avtar's door when he received no answer. Avtar, who had difficulty understanding the visitor, called another temple resident by phone to translate. That resident shared the same first name as the man the kidnapper was reportedly searching for, which led to confusion.

Avtar then handed the phone to the kidnapper, who asked the translator whether he was the person he was looking for and whether he had his "stuff." The translator denied it and questioned what "stuff" meant, but received no response. Deep said Avtar subsequently walked toward the SUV with the man, who then attempted to force him inside. Avtar managed to break free initially, but two other men emerged from the vehicle, struck him, threw him to the ground and forced him into the car.

The gurdwara confirmed Singh's death on Facebook, describing him as a dedicated community member. "Bhai Avtar Singh Bullet, a highly respected member of our community, who dedicated 23 years of service to the sangat in Tracy, has passed away, leaving behind his wife and three adorable six-month-old triplets," the post read.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Singh's wife and children. As of the latest update, the fundraiser had raised over $455,000 toward a $1 million target. "Raising even one child as a single mother is challenging — and with three infants, the responsibility is immense," the campaign description states. Funds are intended to cover funeral costs and provide financial stability for the family in the months ahead.

Avtar's funeral is scheduled for Sunday, 1 March, at Fry Memorial Chapel, followed by a service at Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash in Tracy.

Authorities have asked anyone with information about the case to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office immediately. Police have not publicly disclosed Singh's cause of death.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)