Kidnapped Man Found Dead In Rural Napa Mistakenly Targeted: Sheriff

NAPA VALLEY, CA — The man abducted from a Sikh temple last week, whose body was found in rural Napa, may have been mistakenly targeted as part of a broader kidnapping plot.

Avtar Singh was kidnapped a week ago from Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash in Tracy, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. His body was later located in rural Napa County — more than 100 miles from where he was last seen.

Singh appears to have been wrongly targeted as part of a kidnapping plot that occurred days earlier, according to the San Joaquin Sheriff's spokesperson, Heather Brent. However, details about the motive and suspects remain under investigation. But she said they are treating his death as a homicide.

Surveillance footage showed a white SUV and three unidentified adults dressed in dark clothing with Singh at about 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 17, Brent said. “The victim appeared to enter the vehicle against his will,” she said.

On Friday, at about 3:20 p.m., the Napa County Sheriff's Office found a body near Lake Berryessa in Napa County matching Singh’s description. The sheriff's office shut down California State Route 128 between Monticello Dam and Wragg Canyon for more than 14 hours as investigators combed through the area.

Napa sheriff’s spokesman Henry Wofford said preliminary findings indicate Singh likely did not die in Napa County.

The San Joaquin County coroner confirmed Singh's identity on Sunday night and reported his death.

Community members said Singh was a longtime volunteer and devoted family man. In a GoFundMe fundraiser page, they described him as a husband, father of 6-month-old triplets, and a “beloved sevadaar” who had served the local gurdwara for more than 20 years.

“He was known for his humility, quiet dedication, and loving nature that made everyone feel like family,” according to the statement on GoFundMe. “His seva, sincerity, and unwavering faith touched countless lives.”

No arrests have been announced yet.