Los Angeles: The bodies of four members of a Sikh family, including an eight-month-old baby girl, were discovered at an orchard in California on Wednesday (local time) days after they went kidnapped from their business premises located in Merced County in the state.
The deceased Jasdeep Singh (36), Jasleen Kaur (27), their child Aroohi Dheri and the baby's uncle Amandeep Singh (39) were discovered by a farm worker near Indiana Road and Hutchinson Road who subsequently informed the police, Merced County Sheriff Vern Wanke has confirmed.
The suspect, Jesse Manuel Salgado, tried to kill himself following the crime, and is currently in critical condition, police also confirmed. "Our worst fears have been confirmed. There are no words to describe the anger I feel. There is a special place in hell for this guy" Warnke said while addressing the media.
A video of the incident that has since gone viral displays the day of the kidnapping in detail. Manuel, who is spotted following Jasdeep into the newly opened business near South Highway 59 in Merced's 800 block in the morning, exits through the back door a while later with a gun in his hand as Jasdeep and Amandeep both come out alongside him, their hands zip-tied behind their backs.
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The accused is also seen carrying a gun. Afterward, the kidnapper brings out Jasleen and her daughter and leads them into a truck. Salgado, the person of interest, was taken into custody on Tuesday after he tried to end his life.
Warnke, meanwhile, added that an ATM card belonging to one among the victims was used in Atwater, located about 14 km North of Merced. Family members of Salgado informed the Sherrif's Office that he had admitted to having kidnapped the Sikh family to them.
The Sheriff's Office stated that the investigation began on Monday at 11:39 am, when the California Highway Patrol responded to a 2020 Dodge Ram that was on fire and asked the Merced Police Department to help track down the vehicle's owner. Roughly an hour later, at 12:35 p.m., Merced police officers arrived at the truck owner's address and met with a family member there.
When the police personnel were unable to reach out to the couple and the child's uncle, it was determined that they had been kidnapped. The crime involved a gun and restraints, Deputy Alexandra Britton, Public Information Officer for the Sherrif's Office, said.
