Tracy: A Sikh man, who was kidnapped in broad daylight from a gurdwara in Tracy in the US, has been found dead, the police have confirmed.
A formal identification is pending, but community members have also confirmed the death.
According to reports, Avtar Singh (57), a longtime sevadar at the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash complex in Tracy and father of three, was kidnapped last week by three men dressed in dark clothing. Tracy is a rapidly growing city in California’s San Joaquin County.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said that CCTV footage shows Singh being forced into a white SUV. He appeared to enter the vehicle against his will, the authorities said, as reported by The Tribune.
Later that evening, officials began investigating after responding to the 16000 block of West Grant Line Road in Tracy regarding his disappearance.
A body was found along State Highway 128 near Lake Berryessa in Napa County on Saturday, prompting road closures between Monticello Dam and Wragg Canyon Road. The Napa County Sheriff’s Office said the case has been turned over to San Joaquin County authorities and indicated that the person did not appear to have died in Napa County.
A GoFundMe page set up for his family states that he leaves behind wife and six-month-old triplets.
It has been reported that Singh served the Tracy gurdwara for more than 20 years as a dedicated volunteer and ‘langari’, and was known for his humility and devotion. Community members described his death as a devastating loss that has shaken the local Sikhs.
Anybody with any information regarding the kidnapping has been urged by officials to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues.
