Father of Three Kidnapped and Murdered in Mistaken Identity Case
A tragic incident unfolded last Tuesday when Avtar Singh, a 57-year-old man, was kidnapped and murdered due to mistaken identity. Shocking footage captured the moment he was forced into the backseat of an SUV in broad daylight in Tracy, California, about an hour away from San Jose.
It appears three suspects attacked him outside a gurdwara around 2:30 p.m., coercing him into the vehicle before fleeing the scene. Upon returning home from work, his distraught wife discovered their three children left unattended and reported them missing around 9 p.m.
Authorities found a body near Lake Berryessa on Friday, roughly a two-hour drive from Tracy, later identifying it as Singh’s. Police have stated they still lack details regarding the motive behind the kidnapping, mentioning he was not the intended target.
A colleague from the Sikh temple shared his shock, noting, “The children were alone. God bless them. They were safe…but they were alone.” Singh had dedicated over 23 years as the head chef at the temple and was recognized as a hardworking individual.
In a bittersweet turn of events, Singh had recently welcomed triplets born prematurely, which required a long hospital stay. A colleague highlighted how joyous the arrival was, describing a significant celebration within the community. Yet, they now face unimaginable loss.
A GoFundMe page paying tribute to Singh described him as having a “loving personality that made everyone feel like family,” mourning the loss of someone deeply cherished. According to the page, he leaves behind a wife and his six-month-old triplets, now facing a future without their loving husband and father.
Sheriff Patrick Withrow indicated that this brutal killing was being treated as a homicide, although specifics about the motive or suspects remain scarce. “This was not a random act,” he emphasized, noting that the victim was intentionally targeted. He assured that detectives are diligently working to resolve this disturbing case and bring those responsible to justice.
