CA - Avtar Singh, 57, kidnapped and found dead near Tracy, 17 February 2026

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TRACY, Calif. — A community in San Joaquin County is mourning after authorities confirmed a longtime Sikh temple volunteer who was abducted Tuesday has been found dead.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office announced that kidnapping victim Avtar Singh had been located deceased on Monday morning.
Deputies said they first responded around 8:52 p.m. on Feb. 17 to the 16000 block of West Grant Line Road in Tracy for a reported missing person.

During the investigation, surveillance footage showed a white SUV and three unidentified individuals dressed in dark clothing, including Singh, around 2:30 p.m. Investigators said Singh appeared to enter the vehicle against his will.
On Saturday, Feb. 20, around 3:20 p.m., the Napa County Sheriff’s Office located a body near Lake Berryessa matching the description of the missing man. The investigation was turned over to San Joaquin County authorities.

San Joaquin County deputies confirm abducted Tracy Sikh temple volunteer Avtar Singh found dead

Authorities confirm kidnapped Tracy Sikh temple volunteer Avtar Singh was found dead near Lake Berryessa. Detectives say case appears isolated.

www.abc10.com

 

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Man snatched from California Sikh temple in fatal case of mistaken identity, officials say

Avtar Singh, 57, was kidnapped from a temple in Tracy on Feb. 17, possibly in a case of mistaken identity. His body was found days later.

www.latimes.com

Avtar apparently had difficulty understanding the man and, by phone, called another man who lives at the temple to help translate, Deep said. The man on the phone happened to share a first name with the man the kidnapper was looking for, creating confusion, he said.

Avtar handed the phone over to the kidnapper, who demanded to know if the translator was the man he was looking for and whether he had his “stuff,” Deep said. The translator said no and asked what kind of “stuff,” to no reply, Deep said.

Avtar then walked with the man to the SUV, according to the surveillance footage Deep reviewed. As they neared the vehicle, the man tried to push him inside, but Avtar overpowered him and escaped, he said. Two other men then climbed out of the vehicle, hit Avtar, threw him to the ground and loaded him into the SUV, Deep said.

 

[songbrd]

https://people.com/dad-of-baby-triplets-found-dead-after-police-believe-kidnapped-by-mistake-11913954

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.

“He was known for his humility, quiet dedication, and loving nature that made everyone feel like family,” the description adds. “His seva, sincerity, and unwavering faith touched countless lives, and his absence leaves a profound void in our community.”