Terrifying moment father of three is kidnapped, slain and dumped on the highway in mistaken identity
This is the terrifying moment a beloved father of three was kidnapped and killed in a shocking case of mistaken identity.
Footage showed Avtar Singh, 57, being bundled into the back of an SUV in Tracy, about an hour from San Jose, in broad daylight last Tuesday.
Three suspects appeared to pounce on him outside a gurdwara around 2:30 p.m. and shove him into the back of the car before driving off.
His heartbroken wife reported him missing around 9 p.m. after finding their three children abandoned when she returned home from work.
A body was found a two-hour drive away near Lake Berryessa on Friday, with cops later revealing it was Singh.
Police said they did not know the motive for the abduction, but added that Singh was not the intended target.
A colleague at the Sikh temple where he worked Deep Singh told KCRA: “The kids were alone. God’s blessing. They were safe, but they were alone.
“He was very sincere and hard working. For 23 years, his main role was the head cook at our gurudwara, at the temple, but he was not only a cook, he was a multi-tasking person.”
Singh had recently become the father to triplets, which had been born prematurely and saw them have an extended stay in hospital.
Deep added: “When they got here, it was a big gathering. It was a big celebration. He was happy, mom was happy, and the community was happy. We’re not gonna be able to repair her loss.”
A GoFundMe set up for his family paid tribute to a man with a “loving nature that made everyone feel like family.”
It continued: “We are heartbroken to share that Avtar Singh Bullt, a beloved sevadaar of Tracy Gurdwara Sahib, tragically lost his life after being kidnapped.
“What began as a deeply concerning disappearance has ended in an unimaginable loss for his family and the entire Sangat. He was known for his humility, quiet dedication, and loving nature that made everyone feel like family.”
It added: “He is survived by his wife and their six-month-old triplets, who now face a future without a devoted husband and father.”
Sheriff Patrick Withrow said the brutal killing is being investigated as a homicide but that he had no details on motive or suspects.
He said: “This was not a random act. They were targeted after another individual for a specific reason and we’re hoping that reason comes to the light. This is a this is a tragedy, but an ongoing investigation.”
He added: “Our detectives are working tirelessly to investigate this case and identify those responsible for this terrible act.”
