California, Feb 23: A 57-year-old man kidnapped from the grounds of a California gurdwara last week has been found dead, according to authorities and community members. Avtar Singh, a dedicated volunteer who served at the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash in Tracy for over two decades, was reportedly abducted in broad daylight by three unidentified individuals.
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed that a body was recovered on Saturday along State Highway 128 near Lake Berryessa in Napa County. While a formal identification remains pending, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office stated that the individual appeared to have died elsewhere before being left at that location.
Surveillance footage from the gurdwara complex captured the moment Singh was forced into a white SUV by three men dressed in dark clothing. Investigators asserted that the victim appeared to enter the vehicle against his will. The search began shortly after his disappearance was reported from the 16000 block of West Grant Line Road.
Friends and congregants at the Tracy gurdwara affirmed that Singh was a cornerstone of the local Sikh community. He was known for his 20 years of service as a “langri,” preparing communal meals with humility and devotion. Community leaders maintained that his loss has deeply shaken the region.
Singh is survived by his wife and six-month-old triplets. A support fund established for the family declared that the sudden tragedy has left his young children without a father.
San Joaquin County authorities are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the abduction. They stated that anyone with information regarding the white SUV or the three suspects should contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately.
