Man Kidnapped from Sikh Temple Found Dead in Northern California

Avtar Singh, 57, was abducted from a temple in Tracy, possibly in a case of mistaken identity, and his body was later discovered near Lake Berryessa.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 57-year-old man named Avtar Singh was kidnapped from a Sikh temple in Tracy, California on February 17th. Surveillance footage showed three people forcing Singh into a white SUV and speeding off. His body was later found near Lake Berryessa in Napa County on February 20th, and authorities are investigating the incident as a homicide. Preliminary evidence suggests Singh was not the intended target of the kidnapping.

Why it matters

The kidnapping and death of Avtar Singh, a well-known and respected member of the Sikh community in Tracy, has shocked the local community. It raises concerns about safety and security within religious institutions, as well as questions about whether this was a case of mistaken identity that tragically went wrong.

The details

According to surveillance footage, three people in dark clothing forced Singh into a white SUV after he was lured out of the temple. The kidnappers were apparently looking for a different individual and mistook Singh for their target. Singh's body was later found by a fisherman near Lake Berryessa, about 100 miles from the temple. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death but are investigating it as a homicide.

  • On February 17, 2026, Avtar Singh was kidnapped from the Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash temple in Tracy, California.
  • On February 20, 2026, Singh's body was found near Lake Berryessa in Napa County.

The players

Avtar Singh

A 57-year-old man who worked as the head cook at the Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash Sikh temple in Tracy, California. He lived at the temple with his wife and their 6-month-old triplets.

Deep Singh

A spokesperson for the Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash Sikh temple in Tracy, California.

Heather Brent

A public information officer with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

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What they’re saying

“This evil just came into the temple and took him away.”

— Deep Singh, Spokesperson, Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash Sikh temple (latimes.com)

“We believe a different individual was a target and that Mr. Singh was mistakenly taken.”

— Heather Brent, Public Information Officer, San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office (latimes.com)

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the kidnapping and homicide, including trying to determine the intended target and the motive behind the crime.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the vulnerability of religious institutions and the need for increased security measures to protect community members. It also underscores the devastating impact that mistaken identity can have, and the importance of thorough investigations to uncover the truth.